New York Arrest Records

In New York, officers of local law enforcement agencies, such as the New York State Police (NYSP), New York City Police Department, and Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) create arrest records as formal documentation of the apprehension and detention of individuals for crimes. These documents have critical applications within the state's criminal justice system. They help police identify crime patterns and networks and They help police identify crime patterns and networks and assist judges in determining appropriate sentences. Arrest records also enhance public safety by providing interested persons with information about an individual's criminal past. Additionally, the records are useful for licensing and employment purposes and can provide insight into regional crime trends.

Several criminal justice agencies in New York maintain these arrest records, including the courts, local police agencies, and the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). New York arrest records contain a suspect's biometric, race/ethnicity, and offense data, along with other details.

New York Arrest Statistics

According to Annual Criminal Justice Statistics released by the DCJS, there were 387,320 adult arrests in New York State in 2024. This figure comprises 300,660 male and 86,554 female arrestees. Arrests for misdemeanors accounted for 237,570 (61.3%), while there were 149,750 (38.7%) felony arrests. The DCJS data excludes juvenile arrests.

By comparison, the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) database shows 395,262 arrests by New York law enforcement agencies in 2023. There were 377,371 adult and 15,891 juvenile arrests. The table outlines the FBI arrest statistics for 2023.

New York 2023 Arrest Statistics

Are Arrest Records Public in New York?

Yes, New York arrest records are public. The New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), (Article 6 (Sections 84-90) of the NYS Public Officers Law), permits the public to access arrest and other records maintained by criminal justice agencies However, the New York FOIL exempt public access to arrest records deemed confidential by statute, court order, or court rule. For these reasons, certain records are not publicly disclosable. For example, under Section 87 of the FOIL, the following arrest records are exempt in New York:

• Records whose disclosure would interfere with ongoing criminal investigations or judicial proceedings
• Records expressly exempted by state or federal statute
• Records whose disclosure would invade personal privacy or endanger an individual's life or safety
• Evidentiary information
• Juvenile arrest records
• Sealed or expunged arrest records.

Find Public Arrest Records in New York

Generally, there are two ways to find public arrest records in New York. These are through the courts or the arresting agency.

Residents can stop by the records division of an arresting police department to request public arrest records. In addition, some agencies also offer mail access if a requester sends a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a written request, and may permit email or telephone requests.

Individuals seeking access to New York arrest records from custodian agencies are required to include:

• The arrestee's name
• Date of birth
• Arrest number
• Arrest date
• Name of the arresting precinct or station.

Access to copies of New York arrest records may include fee payments, but in many cases, an inquirer may obtain public information about an arrest for free if it does not require making copies of the documents.

Individuals seeking information about specific New York arrests should submit Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) requests through the Office of Court Administration (OCA). For direct online access to New York arrest records through criminal history, log in to the OCA's On-line Direct Access System. Online access to New York arrest records through this option may require a user account. Alternatively, download, complete, and mail a Criminal History Record Search Application Form (CHRS) to:

Criminal History Record Search
NYS Office of Court Administration
Office of Administrative Services
Criminal History Record Search Unit
25 Beaver Street, 9th Floor,
New York,
NY 10004.

A CHRS request should include the complete name and date of birth of the subject of the document.

Searchers should note that a CHRS request costs $95, and any record obtained from a search is not certified. For further information about New York arrest records search, contact the OCA's Criminal History Record Search Unit at CHRS@nycourts.gov.

Under New York law, specific parties can view or obtain copies of nonpublic arrest records, including the subjects of the records, individuals whom they designate, and authorized government agencies with legitimate reasons. Any other party is required to obtain a court order to access these documents. Individuals who are parties to active court cases can apply for subpoenas from courts of competent jurisdictions and serve them to the custodian agencies according to New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 2307.

Entities seeking access to non-public arrest records in New York should serve subpoenas at least 24 hours before their presentation unless the court allows otherwise. It is necessary to confirm an agency's subpoena process, including relevant fees and service locations. The NYS courts provide further instructions for requesting subpoenas in New York.

How to Look Up Arrest Records Online in New York

Interested individuals may find New York arrest records through local police departments' websites. City police and sheriff's departments in New York may provide online listings of arrests made within their jurisdictions for free. These local authorities may also help record seekers locate persons in jails following arrests.

Additionally, New York arrest records may be accessible through the OCA's Direct Access System, or independent companies sell background checks and public records to the public online. Private online repositories aggregate data from various public databases and make them accessible in one place. As such, they can provide users with a wealth of information and are often a great starting point for arrest record searches. Nonetheless, these checks are not fingerprint-based or certified, and it is advisable to verify results against official sources.

What is Included in New York Arrest Records?

A New York arrest record contains several pieces of information, including an arrestee's:

• Complete name
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Gender
• Race/ethnicity
• Age at the time of arrest
• Last-known address
• Date, time, and location of the arrest
• Arrest number
• Arrest type
• Arresting agency
• Arresting officer ID
• Arrest charge(s), code, and description

Booking details (booking number, time, date, and status).

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in New York?

In New York, arrest information may remain permanently on records unless sealed or expunged under state law. In New York, government agencies maintain record retention and disposition schedules from less than a year to permanency. As such, a specific agency's arrest files may be destroyed or disposed of when a particular timeline passes, and a record has no administrative, legal, fiscal, or historical value.

The New York State Archives oversees the retention and disposition of local and state agency records in New York. The agency publishes the Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records (LGS-1), which NYS local governments adopt.

According to the LGS-1 schedule, local law enforcement departments permanently maintain incident, complaint, or arrest summary records or logs not submitted to the DCJS. However, case investigation records for adults, juveniles, or youthful offenders, which may include the arrest reports and final case dispositions, are retained according to the records' classifications. For instance, case investigation records for homicides, arson (1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree), and suicides are maintained permanently. Meanwhile, case investigation records for misdemeanors are retained for five years after case closure, and records related to violations or traffic infractions are maintained for a year after, and so on.

Information seekers should note that an agency's retention schedule only covers records in its possession; it does not imply that such records will be deleted or disposed of statewide or across other agencies unless there is a sealing or expungement order.

Expunge an Arrest Record in New York

New York permits expungement or physical destruction, or erasure of records, only for certain marijuana/cannabis offenses (Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 (5)(a)). An expungement of a marijuana offense treats the related arrest, court case, and conviction as if they never happened. Subsequently, the record:

• Will not show up during criminal history checks
• Will not be accessible to law enforcement unless related to a gun license application or a law enforcement job
• Cannot be used against a person on housing, job, or student loan applications
• Does not have to be disclosed on a school or job application.

Certain marijuana offenses (possession of up to 16 ounces or sale of up to 25 grams of marijuana) are eligible for automatic expungement by the New York courts, including:

• PL 221.05, PL 221.10: Unlawful Possession of Marijuana in the Second and First Degrees
• PL 221.15, PL 221.20: Criminal Possession of Marijuana in the Fourth and Third Degrees
• PL 221.35, PL 221.40: Criminal Sale of Marijuana in the Fifth and Fourth Degrees
• PL 222.10: Restrictions on Cannabis Use
• PL 222.15: Personal Cultivation and Home Possession of Cannabis
• PL 222.25: Unlawful Possession of Cannabis
• PL 222.45: Unlawful Sale of Cannabis
• PL 240.36, PL 220.03, PL 220.06: Loitering in the First Degree; Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh and Fifth Degrees (only if the only featured controlled substance in a case was concentrated cannabis or hashish).

However, where a person does not qualify for automatic expungement, they may utilize the courts' application process to vacate a conviction, dismiss or reduce charges, or reduce a sentence related to a marijuana arrest or case. The application process involves completing Form CPL 440.46 and filing it with the court that released the sentence. There is no filing fee.

Additionally, New York law allows persons arrested or convicted of unlawful marijuana possession and fifth-degree criminal marijuana possession to submit an Application to Destroy Expunged Marihuana Conviction Record to the Office of Court Administration. The process destroys all arrest, prosecution, and criminal history records related to a person's expunged marijuana conviction.

More information about New York's marihuana expungement process is accessible through the state judiciary's website.

For other arrest records, the State of New York uses a sealing process. Sealing an arrest record means that all records of a person's arrest, court case, and prosecution will be removed from public view. However, a sealed record can be released to the following parties:

• The subject of a record
• The subject's designee
• An employer, if the subject applies for a job where they carry a gun
• The subject's parole officer is notified if the individual is arrested while on parole or probation
• A law enforcement agency with a court order
• The prosecutor, if the subject moves for an ACD (Adjournment In Contemplation of Dismissal) on a marijuana charge

New York has both automatic sealing and sealing by application processes. The following arrest records are eligible for automatic sealing:

• Violations and traffic infractions
• Crimes committed by youthful offenders and children
• Cases where the arrestee got a favorable disposition (or good result).

Where a record qualifies for automatic sealing, the arrestee does not have to do anything. However, certain misdemeanor and felony arrests are sealed by filing a petition with the court. Below are the eligibility criteria:

• The individual should have no more than 2 misdemeanors or 1 misdemeanor and 1 felony conviction, and needs to be crime-free for 10 years. Sex offenses, serious felonies, and violent felonies are ineligible for sealing.
• The individual is required to complete a drug treatment program. In that case, they may qualify for conditional sealing.

The New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59 sets out the procedure for sealing arrest and criminal records after 10 years. Generally, a petitioner may apply these steps:

• Request and submit a Criminal Disposition Certificate Form to the court; a separate form should be completed for each case to be sealed. Obtaining a Certificate of Disposition involves fees ($5 outside NYC; $10 within NYC)
• Fill out the Sealing Application (Notice of Motion, Affidavit of Support). The form should be signed before a notary public. It is also important to attach supporting documentation that serves as proof of rehabilitation, such as educational transcripts or letters of recommendation
• Send copies of the application, including the Certificate of Disposition, sealing petition, and other supporting documentation, to the District Attorney. Service can be through hand delivery or by mail. Per the law, the DA has 45 days to inform the court about an objection to the sealing.
• Subsequently, the person who served the District Attorney's office is required to complete an Affidavit of Service and sign it before a notary public. A separate form is required for each DA's office served
• File all originals, including the original Certificate of Disposition, Notice of Motion, and Affidavit in Support, Affidavit of Service, and other supporting documents with the court. This is the court where the most serious conviction was entered or the court where the most recent conviction was entered (if sealing cases of the same class). There is no filing fee to submit a sealing application to a New York court.

Petitioners obtain signed Sealed Orders from the courts if they grant their applications. It is important to make copies of all papers for one's records.

Further information about New York's sealing process is available on the state judiciary's Criminal Records & Sealing page.

How Do I Find Recent Arrests in New York?

Members of the public may find recent arrests in New York through police departments or sheriff's office websites. For instance, the Washington County Sheriff's Office has a recent arrest webpage, and the City of Newburgh's Police Department offers weekly arrest reports. Information that individuals may obtain from these listings includes an arrestee's name, arrest date, arrest number, and charge(s).

Are New York Arrest Records Free?

Typically, a public records request to an arresting agency for a New York arrest record does not attract a fee unless the requester requires printed copies. However, any arrest record request made through the New York State Office of Court Administration or Division of Criminal Justice Services requires the payment of a processing fee, unless the applicant qualifies for a waiver. Similarly, obtaining New York arrest records from a third-party database or source may require a subscription or a one-time fee.