Arrest records are public in Warren 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 arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Warren County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations governing record retention and public access.
Members of the public may request arrest records through formal FOIL requests submitted to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The Warren County Sheriff's Office processes such requests in compliance with statutory timeframes, which require an acknowledgment within five business days and a determination within twenty business days. Certain information may be redacted from arrest records to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with Public Officers Law § 87(2).
Warren County Sheriff's Office
1400 State Route 9
Lake George, NY 12845
(518) 743-2500
Warren County Sheriff's Office
Warren County arrest records are partially available through online platforms maintained by county law enforcement agencies. The Warren County Sheriff's Office provides a digital database of recent arrest information through their official website's "Sheriff Activity" section. This resource is updated regularly in accordance with New York State's Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10, which governs the processing and documentation of arrests.
Online access to these records is provided as a public service and in furtherance of governmental transparency objectives. However, the digital availability of records is subject to certain limitations:
• Records may not be comprehensive or include historical data beyond a certain timeframe • Certain sensitive cases may be excluded from online publication • Juvenile records are generally not accessible online pursuant to Family Court Act § 381.3 • Cases that have been sealed under Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 will not appear
The Sheriff Central Records department maintains the official repository of arrest documentation and processes requests for records not available through online platforms.
Multiple official channels exist for accessing Warren County arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following methods:
• Submit a FOIL request directly to the Warren County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 1400 State Route 9, Lake George, NY 12845. Requests must be made in writing using the county's standard FOIL request form.
• Visit the Warren County Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM) to access court records related to arrests. The Clerk's Office maintains records of criminal proceedings that follow arrests.
• Access the Warren County Clerk's Online Records portal for certain digitized documents. Note that not all arrest-related records are available through this system.
• Utilize public access terminals located at the Warren County Municipal Center, 1340 State Route 9, Lake George, NY 12845.
• Contact the specific municipal police department where the arrest occurred, as local departments maintain their own records separate from county systems.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Pursuant to County Law § 409, fees may apply for copies of records, with standard charges of $0.25 per page for photocopies.
Warren County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services guidelines. These records typically include the following components:
• Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, physical description, and residential address
• Arrest details, including date, time, and location of the arrest, as documented in the arresting officer's report
• Criminal charges filed, with specific reference to the applicable sections of New York State Penal Law or other statutory violations
• Incident report narrative describing the circumstances leading to the arrest
• Booking information, including fingerprint classification and identification numbers
• Photograph (mugshot) taken during the booking process
• Custody status and bail determination information
• Arresting agency and officer identification
• Case disposition information, if available
The content of these records is governed by Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10, which establishes requirements for fingerprinting and photographing upon arrest. Records maintained by the Warren County Sheriff's Office conform to the New York State Records Retention and Disposition Schedule LGS-1, which mandates retention of arrest records for a minimum of 25 years.
New York State law provides mechanisms for the sealing and expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. In Warren County, these processes are administered through the Warren County Court system in accordance with Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 and § 160.59.
Arrest records may be eligible for sealing or expungement under the following circumstances:
• Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal are automatically eligible for sealing under CPL § 160.50
• Certain non-violent convictions may be eligible for sealing after a 10-year waiting period pursuant to CPL § 160.59
• Marijuana-related convictions may be eligible for automatic expungement under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act of 2021
• Youthful offender adjudications are automatically sealed under CPL § 720.35
The expungement process requires filing an application with the Warren County Court, located at 1340 State Route 9, Lake George, NY 12845. The court reviews applications in accordance with statutory criteria and, upon approval, issues an order directing all agencies to seal or expunge the specified records.
Individuals seeking expungement may contact the Warren County Clerk's Office for procedural guidance:
Warren County Clerk's Office
1340 State Route 9
Lake George, NY 12845
(518) 761-6484
Warren County Clerk