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Seneca Falls Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Seneca Falls, New York?

Arrest records are public in Seneca Falls, New York, pursuant to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), Article 6 of the Public Officers Law §§ 84-90. This legislation establishes the framework for public access to governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The law operates under the presumption that all government records are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. Arrest records fall within the category of documents that maintain transparency in governmental operations and uphold the public's right to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.

The Seneca Falls Police Department maintains these records in accordance with New York State record retention schedules as established by the State Archives under Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 57.25. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records must follow established protocols for record requests, which may include submission of formal applications and payment of applicable fees as permitted under Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii).

How to Look Up Seneca Falls Arrest Records in 2025

The Town of Seneca Falls provides multiple official channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Each method requires compliance with established procedures to ensure proper handling of sensitive information while maintaining public access rights. The following options are available for obtaining arrest records:

Submit a formal FOIL request to the Records Division of the Seneca Falls Police Department. Requests must be made in writing using the department's designated form, available at the police station or on the official website.
Visit the Seneca Falls Police Department in person to request records during regular business hours. The Records Division processes these requests in accordance with state law.

Seneca Falls Police Department
130 Ovid Street
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
(315) 568-4850
Seneca Falls Police Department Official Website

Contact the Seneca County Sheriff's Office for arrest records related to cases handled by county law enforcement within Seneca Falls town limits.

Seneca County Sheriff's Office
6150 State Route 96
Romulus, NY 14541
(315) 220-3240
Seneca County Sheriff's Office Official Website

Access public terminals at the Seneca Falls Town Clerk's Office, where certain public records may be available for review.

Seneca Falls Town Clerk's Office
130 Ovid Street
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
(315) 568-6691
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Contents of a Seneca Falls Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Seneca Falls Police Department contain standardized information as required by New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services regulations. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
Date of birth and demographic information as recorded during the booking process
Physical description including height, weight, identifying marks, and other distinguishing characteristics
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including applicable New York State Penal Law sections
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
Fingerprint records collected pursuant to Executive Law § 837(6)
Case number and other administrative identifiers
Initial court appearance information, including arraignment date and preliminary bail determination
Property inventory of items in possession of the individual at the time of arrest

The comprehensiveness of these records ensures proper documentation for both law enforcement purposes and judicial proceedings. Pursuant to 9 NYCRR § 6170.1, certain identifying information may be redacted from publicly accessible versions of these records to protect privacy interests as determined by statute.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Seneca Falls

New York State law provides mechanisms for the sealing and expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed primarily by Criminal Procedure Law (CPL) § 160.50 for cases resulting in favorable dispositions and CPL § 160.59 for eligible convictions after specified waiting periods. In Seneca Falls, individuals seeking expungement must adhere to state-mandated procedures, which include:

Filing a motion for sealing/expungement with the court that handled the original case
Providing documentation demonstrating eligibility under applicable statutes
Notifying the Seneca County District Attorney's Office of the application
Attending any scheduled court hearings regarding the expungement petition

Pursuant to New York's marijuana regulation and taxation act of 2021, certain marijuana-related arrests and convictions are eligible for automatic expungement. The Office of Court Administration is responsible for identifying and processing these records in accordance with the statutory requirements.

For cases involving youthful offenders, Family Court Act § 375.1-3 provides additional pathways for record sealing. The Seneca Falls Police Department and the Seneca County Clerk's Office must comply with court orders directing the sealing or expungement of records in their possession.

Seneca County Court
48 West Williams Street
Waterloo, NY 13165
(315) 539-9315
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Seneca County District Attorney's Office
48 West Williams Street
Waterloo, NY 13165
(315) 539-9250
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

The accessibility of arrest records in Seneca Falls is subject to certain statutory limitations designed to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations. Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 87(2), specific categories of information may be withheld from public disclosure, including:

Records that would interfere with active law enforcement investigations or judicial proceedings
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as defined in § 89(2)
Records specifically exempted from disclosure by state or federal statute
Information related to juvenile offenders whose cases are handled in Family Court

The Seneca Falls Police Department, in accordance with police reform initiatives, maintains policies governing the release of arrest information to ensure compliance with applicable laws while preserving transparency. The Code Enforcement Office coordinates with law enforcement when violations involve potential criminal charges.

Records pertaining to sealed cases under CPL § 160.50 or § 160.55 are not accessible to the general public and requests for such records will be denied. Additionally, records related to orders of protection and certain domestic violence incidents may have restricted access pursuant to Family Court Act § 154-b and Domestic Relations Law § 240.