> >Kingston Arrest Records

Kingston Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Kingston, New York?

Yes, arrest records are public in Kingston, New York. Public access to these records is governed by the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90. Pursuant to this statute, government records, including arrest records, must be made available for public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by law. The City of Kingston maintains arrest blotters as part of its commitment to transparency in law enforcement operations.

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy rights, ongoing investigations, or in accordance with specific statutory exemptions. Juvenile records, sealed records, and cases involving certain sensitive matters may have restricted access under New York State law.

How to Look Up Kingston Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Kingston provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information have the following options:

Visit the Kingston Police Department: The Kingston Police Department maintains comprehensive arrest records and provides public access to these documents in accordance with state law.

Kingston Police Department
1 Garraghan Drive
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 331-1671
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Ulster County Clerk's Office: This office maintains court records including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings.

Ulster County Clerk's Office
244 Fair Street
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 340-3288
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Ulster County Courthouse: The Ulster County Courts maintain records of criminal proceedings that follow arrests.

Ulster County Courthouse
285 Wall Street
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 481-9375
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Online Resources: The City of Kingston website provides access to arrest blotters and other public safety information. These digital resources are maintained in compliance with New York State's electronic records regulations.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information that may assist in locating the correct records.

Contents of a Kingston Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the City of Kingston typically contain the following categories of information, as prescribed by New York State record-keeping requirements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrestee, date of birth, gender, and address at time of arrest
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Criminal Charges: Nature and statutory citation of alleged offenses
Arresting Agency Information: Identification of the law enforcement agency and officer(s) involved
Booking Data: Processing information, including date and time of booking
Identification Records: Mugshot photographs and fingerprint data
Custody Status: Information regarding detention, release, or bail/bond conditions
Case Disposition: Initial court appearance information and preliminary hearing outcomes

Pursuant to local laws and the Kingston Municipal Code, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information related to confidential informants or ongoing investigations.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Kingston

The management and accessibility of arrest records in Kingston operates within a multi-tiered legal framework. The foundation of this framework includes:

New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL): Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90 establishes the presumption of access to government records, including arrest records, with limited exceptions.
Criminal Procedure Law: New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 governs the sealing of records in cases where charges are dismissed or otherwise terminated in favor of the accused.
Kingston Municipal Code: Local Law 6 of 2024 and related ordinances establish specific procedures for record-keeping and public access to municipal records, including those related to law enforcement activities.
Federal Regulations: The Privacy Act of 1974 and other federal statutes impose additional requirements regarding the handling of personal information contained in government records.

Law enforcement agencies in Kingston must balance the public's right to access information with privacy protections and the integrity of the criminal justice process. This balancing is guided by statutory provisions, case law, and administrative regulations at multiple levels of government.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public in Kingston, several important limitations exist regarding their accessibility:

Sealed Records: Pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records of arrests that did not result in convictions may be sealed and thus removed from public access.
Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to arrests of individuals under 18 years of age are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under New York Family Court Act § 381.3.
Ongoing Investigations: Information that could compromise active investigations may be temporarily withheld under FOIL exemptions.
Privacy Protections: Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, home addresses of victims, and medical information is typically redacted before records are released to the public.
Expunged Records: In cases where records have been expunged by court order, these records are removed from public access entirely.

Individuals seeking access to arrest records should be aware that these limitations may affect the completeness of the information available through public channels.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Kingston

The expungement process in Kingston allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. This process is governed by New York Criminal Procedure Law and operates as follows:

Eligibility Criteria: Individuals may qualify for expungement if their case resulted in dismissal, acquittal, or other favorable disposition, or if they meet criteria under New York's marijuana expungement provisions (CPL § 160.50).
Application Process: Eligible individuals must file a motion with the court that handled their case, typically the Kingston City Court or Ulster County Court.

Kingston City Court
1 Garraghan Drive
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 331-3693
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Judicial Review: A judge reviews the application and determines whether the statutory requirements for expungement have been met.
Effect of Expungement: When granted, expungement results in the sealing of all records related to the arrest, including police reports, fingerprints, and photographs. These records are no longer accessible to the general public.
Exceptions to Expungement: Certain government agencies, particularly law enforcement and licensing bodies, may retain limited access to expunged records for specific official purposes as permitted by statute.

The expungement process represents an important balance between the public's right to information and individuals' interest in moving beyond past interactions with the criminal justice system that did not result in conviction.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Kingston may utilize arrest records as part of background screening processes, subject to significant legal constraints:

New York State Human Rights Law: This law (Executive Law § 296(16)) prohibits discrimination based on arrests that did not lead to conviction, limiting how arrest-only records can be used in employment decisions.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): This federal law governs the collection and use of consumer information, including criminal history, and requires disclosure and permission before background checks are conducted.
Ban the Box Provisions: Kingston employers must comply with New York State's restrictions on when in the hiring process criminal history information can be considered.
Accuracy Requirements: Users of arrest record information for background screening purposes must ensure the information is complete and up-to-date, particularly regarding case dispositions.

Organizations conducting background checks using Kingston arrest records must maintain compliance with these legal frameworks to avoid potential liability for improper use of such information.