Arrest records in Rockland County, New York are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90. This statute establishes the presumption that government records shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The legislative intent behind FOIL is to promote governmental accountability and transparency by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding governmental operations.
The Rockland County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with New York State regulations. While arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or juvenile offenders as specified under New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50. Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers and medical information, is typically redacted from public versions of these documents.
Rockland County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Rockland County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to certain arrest information through their official website. Additionally, the New York State Office of Court Administration maintains electronic databases that include arrest-related court proceedings.
Pursuant to New York State Technology Law § 208, government agencies are required to make reasonable efforts to provide public records in accessible electronic formats when feasible. The online availability of these records serves the dual purpose of enhancing governmental transparency while reducing administrative burdens associated with processing physical record requests.
Digital access to arrest records is subject to the same legal restrictions that apply to physical records. Information related to sealed cases, youthful offender adjudications, and certain other protected categories may not appear in online databases in accordance with New York Criminal Procedure Law § 720.35.
Rockland County Sheriff's Office
55 New Hempstead Road
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5400
Official Website
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access Rockland County arrest records. The following methods are available pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 87:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Rockland County Sheriff's Office Correctional Facility during regular business hours. Requestors should be prepared to provide identification and complete a formal records request form.
Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Access Officer at the Rockland County Sheriff's Office. Requests must include the requestor's contact information and specific details about the records being sought.
Electronic requests may be submitted through the county's online portal, which processes FOIL requests in accordance with New York Public Officers Law § 89(3).
The New York State Unified Court System provides access to court records associated with arrests through their electronic case management system.
Fees for record retrieval are established pursuant to Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii) and may include charges for search time, document reproduction, and certification if required. Current fee schedules are available at the Sheriff's Office and on the county website.
Rockland County Correctional Facility
53-55 New Hempstead Road
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5601
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Rockland County arrest records contain standardized information as required by New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10. These official documents typically include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, physical description, and address of residence
Arrest details, including date, time, and location of arrest, arresting agency, and badge numbers of arresting officers
Criminal charges filed, including specific statute citations and classification of offenses as violations, misdemeanors, or felonies
Case disposition information, when available, including court appearances, bail determinations, and case outcomes
Fingerprint data and booking photographs ("mugshots") as permitted under New York Executive Law § 837-c
Warrant information, if applicable, including issuing court and warrant number
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the stage of criminal proceedings and the arresting agency's protocols. Records maintained by the Rockland County Sheriff's Office typically contain more detailed information than summary reports available through public-facing databases.
Under New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, certain arrest records in Rockland County may be eligible for sealing or expungement. The legal process for record expungement is governed by state statute and requires judicial approval. Eligibility criteria include:
The expungement process requires filing a motion with the court that handled the original case. Pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59, individuals seeking expungement must submit a formal application to the appropriate court, which may include the Rockland County Court or local municipal courts depending on the original jurisdiction.
When records are ordered sealed or expunged, the New York State Police and other law enforcement agencies are required to restrict access to these records and remove them from public databases. However, certain government agencies may retain limited access to sealed records for specific statutory purposes.
Rockland County Court
1 South Main Street
New City, NY 10956
(845) 483-8300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM