Tompkins County, New York Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Tompkins County, New York?
Arrest records are public documents in Tompkins County, New York, 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, including those documenting arrests made by law enforcement agencies within the county, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The New York State Committee on Open Government oversees the implementation of FOIL and provides guidance on public access to arrest records.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Tompkins County may obtain these documents from various law enforcement agencies, including the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office and the Ithaca Police Department. While certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations as permitted under Public Officers Law § 87(2), the fundamental record of an arrest remains accessible to the public.
Law enforcement agencies in Tompkins County maintain these records in accordance with retention schedules established by the New York State Archives. Records are typically preserved for a minimum of five years following the conclusion of any legal proceedings related to the arrest.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Tompkins County?
Tompkins County provides limited online access to arrest records through official government portals and third-party aggregators. The Tompkins County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides information about currently incarcerated individuals and recent arrests. The Ithaca Police Department offers an archive of defendant activity through the City of Ithaca's official website.
Online access to comprehensive arrest records may be restricted due to privacy considerations outlined in New York Civil Rights Law § 50-a and other applicable statutes. Certain identifying information, particularly in cases involving minors, domestic violence, or sexual offenses, may be redacted or withheld from online platforms in accordance with New York Executive Law § 296(16).
Users of online arrest record systems should note that digital records may not contain complete case information. Pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records of arrests that did not result in convictions may be sealed and thus unavailable through online portals. Additionally, technical limitations and varying update schedules may affect the timeliness and comprehensiveness of online arrest record databases.
How to Look Up Tompkins County Arrest Records in 2025
Tompkins County residents and other interested parties may access arrest records through multiple official channels. The following procedures apply to arrest record requests:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office located at 779 Warren Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should complete a FOIL request form and provide identification.
The Ithaca Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents within city limits. Requests may be submitted at 120 East Clinton Street, Ithaca, NY 14850. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The Tompkins County Clerk's Office, located at 320 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850, maintains court records related to arrests. These records may be accessed during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via mail to the appropriate agency with the required fee, typically $0.25 per page for photocopies as established under Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii).
Certified copies of arrest records, when available, may be obtained for an additional fee as determined by the maintaining agency.
Requestors should note that processing times vary based on the volume of requests and complexity of the search. Agencies typically respond to FOIL requests within five business days, though a complete response may take up to twenty business days for more complex requests, in accordance with Public Officers Law § 89(3).
Contents of a Tompkins County Arrest Record
Tompkins County arrest records contain standardized information as required by New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and last known address.
Arrest details, including the date, time, and precise location where the apprehension occurred.
Criminal charges filed at the time of arrest, including the specific sections of New York Penal Law allegedly violated.
The name and badge number of the arresting officer and the law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest.
Booking information, including fingerprints collected pursuant to Executive Law § 837(6) and booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots").
Case disposition information, when available, indicating whether charges were dismissed, reduced, or resulted in conviction.
Court information, including docket or case numbers, scheduled appearance dates, and the jurisdiction handling the case.
Arrest records maintained by Tompkins County agencies adhere to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services guidelines for record-keeping and may contain additional information related to the circumstances of the arrest as documented by law enforcement personnel.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Tompkins County
New York State law provides mechanisms for the sealing and expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. In Tompkins County, these processes are governed primarily by Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 for sealing records and by the 2019 marijuana expungement provisions under CPL § 160.50(5).
Individuals may qualify for record sealing or expungement under the following conditions:
Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal are eligible for automatic sealing pursuant to CPL § 160.50.
Certain marijuana convictions were automatically expunged following the passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act in March 2021.
Non-criminal offenses, such as violations and certain misdemeanors, may be eligible for sealing after a waiting period under CPL § 160.55.
Criminal convictions may be eligible for sealing under CPL § 160.59 if they meet specific criteria and ten years have elapsed since conviction or release from incarceration.
The sealing process typically requires filing a motion with the court that handled the original case. The Tompkins County District Attorney's Office, located at 320 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850, must be notified of such applications and may contest the sealing request.
Individuals seeking expungement or sealing of records should note that certain convictions, particularly those involving sex offenses, violent felonies, and class A felonies, are statutorily ineligible for sealing under New York law.
Search Arrest Records in Tompkins County
