Arrest records in Glens Falls, New York are considered public documents and are accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is governed by the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90. Under FOIL, government agencies are required to make records available for public inspection and copying, with certain statutory exceptions. These exceptions include instances where disclosure would interfere with ongoing law enforcement investigations, impede judicial proceedings, constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as defined in § 89(2), or potentially endanger an individual's life or safety.
The Warren County Sheriff's Office and Glens Falls Police Department maintain these records in accordance with New York State retention schedules. Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 87, these agencies must provide reasonable access to records during regular business hours, subject to established procedures for requesting such information.
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Glens Falls. Individuals may utilize the following methods to obtain this information:
Glens Falls Police Department
42 Ridge Street
Glens Falls, NY 12801
(518) 761-3840
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Warren County Sheriff's Office
1400 State Route 9
Lake George, NY 12845
(518) 743-2500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Warren County Clerk's Office
1340 State Route 9
Lake George, NY 12845
(518) 761-6427
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:45 PM
NYS Office of Court Administration
25 Beaver Street
New York, NY 10004
(212) 428-2810
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Requestors should note that pursuant to Public Officers Law § 89(3), agencies must respond to requests within five business days of receipt. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for document reproduction not exceeding 25 cents per page for photocopies not exceeding 9 by 14 inches, as specified in § 87(1)(b)(iii).
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Glens Falls typically contain standardized information as required by New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services regulations. These records generally include:
The level of detail contained in publicly accessible versions of these records may be limited by applicable privacy laws and judicial determinations. Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 89(2)(b), certain personal information may be redacted prior to disclosure, including Social Security numbers, home addresses of victims, and medical information.
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 dismissals and acquittals, and CPL § 160.59 for eligible convictions.
Individuals may qualify for record sealing or expungement under the following circumstances:
The expungement process requires filing a motion with the court of original jurisdiction. For cases in Glens Falls, this would typically be:
Glens Falls City Court
City Hall, 42 Ridge Street
Glens Falls, NY 12801
(518) 793-1371
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For felony matters:
Warren County Court
Warren County Municipal Center
1340 State Route 9
Lake George, NY 12845
(518) 761-6450
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Pursuant to CPL § 160.59(7), the District Attorney's Office has 45 days to file any objections to sealing applications. The court then determines whether granting the application would serve the interest of justice. If granted, the court orders all records related to the conviction sealed from public disclosure, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies under specific circumstances outlined in CPL § 160.59(9).
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process requires strict adherence to statutory requirements and may benefit from legal assistance. The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York provides services to eligible residents of Warren County:
Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York
100 Court Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
(518) 563-4022
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM