Columbia County Arrest Records

Columbia County arrest records contain the arrest details of individuals suspected of committing crimes. Local records are typically maintained by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, while the New York State (NYS) Division of Criminal Justice Services provides a statewide index of adult and juvenile arrest records. Interested parties may find arrest information such as sex, gender, ethnicity, and the offense of the arrestee in these records. Record seekers may also find information on arrests in Columbia County court records. The County Clerk’s office provides access to these court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Columbia County?

According to New York’s Freedom of Information Law, arrest records in Columbia County are public. Anyone looking for Columbia County arrest records can do so through the County’s Sheriff’s Office. Record seekers should note that fees are attached to obtaining these records.

However, not all information in an arrest record is open to the public. These typically include:

• Juvenile records
• Ongoing investigations
• Victim identity
• Medical information

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

There are different kinds of information contained in a public arrest record. This includes information on the arrestee and the officers involved in the arrest. Interested parties will find the following information.

• Details on the detainee: This comprises the arrestee’s name, birthdate, physical characteristics (height, sex, and weight), and residential address of the person apprehended.
• Details of the arrest: This contains details like the arresting agency, the arrest location, the date, the time, the name of the arresting officer, the charges that were brought, and the booking number.
• Disposition: A court date, the verdict, and the punishment may occasionally be found on an arrest record.

Columbia County Arrest Statistics

According to statistics from the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services, 575 arrests were made from January to June 2024. Misdemeanor Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) saw the highest number of arrests, at 147. Meanwhile, 103 arrests were made for property misdemeanors. Additionally, there were 44 arrests for drug misdemeanors. As for felonies, New York law enforcement made 27 arrests for violent felonies. There were also 21 and 20 for Felony DWI and Felony Drug offenses, respectively.

Find Columbia County Arrest Records

The Corrections Division of the Columbia County Sheriff's website provides interested parties information about inmates, including bail, phone numbers, and how to send money or letters to an offender. Interested parties may also use the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's Inmate Lookup or call the Division at (518) 828-3344 to find out information about prisoners who are currently incarcerated.

Free Arrest Record Search in Columbia County

Interested parties can contact the county's Sheriff's or Clerk's Office to do a free search for arrest records. Public records, including arrest records, are kept by both agencies. Additionally, going to third-party websites allows interested parties to obtain arrest records from Columbia County. These websites have been carefully selected and reviewed by knowledgeable public record specialists to ensure their dependability and accuracy. It is crucial to remember that many websites demand a subscription or payment to view particular records. Also, these websites are not government and may have inaccurate information.

Columbia County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrests and criminal records represent two stages in the criminal procedure. An arrest is documented whenever a person is taken into custody by the police on suspicion of a crime. Basic information, including the individual's identity, the arrest date, the charges, and the arresting agency, are all included in an arrest record. These records are available to the general public and do not prove or disprove guilt. They only serve informational purposes. However, a record custodian may suppress certain information to protect ongoing investigations or maintain privacy.

On the other hand, criminal records are made when someone is found guilty in court and include detailed information regarding the arrest, charges, trial, and sentencing. These records are often not accessible to the public and may be sealed or deleted, mainly when they involve minors.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Columbia County, an arrest typically remains on a person's record indefinitely unless expunged or restricted. Either record limitation or expungement may be an option if there was no conviction or the charges were dismissed. However, more charges and felony convictions could permanently impact an individual's record. Local law enforcement agencies—including Columbia County—comply with several legislative requirements when maintaining arrest records.

Expunge Columbia County Arrest Records

Individuals arrested in New York may seal their arrest record under Section 160.59 of the New York Criminal Procedure Law. The law permits individuals with up to two convictions, with only one allowed to be a felony, to seal their criminal records, including their arrest records.

Persons must also meet these additional requirements to be fully eligible for expungement.

1. The arrest did not lead to any conviction.
2. The person must apply for expungement at least ten years from the date they were sentenced for their most recent conviction or were released from jail/prison, whichever is later.
3. The individual has no pending criminal cases.
4. The person is not required to register as a sex offender.
5. The individual’s conviction does not fall under convictions that are unsealable.

To start an expungement process, a person must file a “Notice of Motion and Affidavit in Support of Sealing”. This must be filed with the court in which the individual was convicted. Interested parties can find further Instructions on the New York Courts’ website.

It is also important to note that in most cases, arrest records are not automatically sealed. A person must file a motion with the court and provide a compelling argument to have the records sealed. The decision to seal is within the Judge’s discretion, but the District Attorney will be notified of the motion and can file an objection to sealing. The case would then proceed to a hearing on the issue of whether or not your records should be sealed.

Sealing is a judicial process, and it is recommended parties seek the advice and representation of an experienced New York sealing lawyer. A New York sealing attorney will ensure your application is filed accurately and persuasively.

Anyone who wishes to file for sealing their arrest records should take the following steps:

1. Request a Criminal Certificate of Disposition Form from the court where the case was tried.
2. Parties are expected to fill a Notice of Motion and Affidavit in Support contained on pages 1 and 2 of the Form.
3. Both pages are to be served to the District Attorney’s Office.
4. Once served, parties are to complete the 3rd page that contains the sealing application.
5. Individuals are to file all pages of the Sealing Application to the right court.

Columbia County Arrest Warrants

In Columbia County, an arrest warrant is an official order made by a court or a magistrate official decree that permits police to detain someone they suspect of committing a crime. However, law enforcement would require an affidavit and supporting documentation to establish probable cause before the court can issue a warrant. The warrant contains the following details: the suspect's complete name, birth date, physical description, alleged offense, and the information of the issuing judge.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office maintains a list of active warrants. Interested parties can see who has an active warrant by going to the Sheriff’s Office, located at:

Columbia County Sheriff's Office
Public Safety Facility
85 Industrial Tract
Hudson, New York 12534

Do Columbia County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Columbia County arrest warrants do not expire. They last until the suspect is taken into custody, the issuing court or magistrate recalls the warrant, or the charges against the person are withdrawn.