Essex County Arrest Records

When the police identify a suspect and have probable cause to believe they committed a crime, an officer proceeds to make an arrest. After the arrest, the officer searches the suspect, transports them to the station, and takes their mugshot and other photographs. The suspect's personal information is then entered into a law enforcement database. The arresting officer also prepares a detailed report documenting the arrest. This information—comprising the suspect's personal details and the arrest report—is assembled into an arrest record sent to both the Essex County Sheriff's Office and the court handling the case. As the case progresses, the court clerk updates the official Essex County court record with details related to the case. Both arrest and court records are considered public information and may be accessed online or in person through the appropriate record custodian.

Are Arrest Records Public in Essex County?

Yes. The New York Freedom of Information Law mandates transparency and accountability in government by allowing public access to records, including arrest records. This law enables law enforcement agencies in Essex County to permit public inspection and copying of arrest records during regular business hours. However, these agencies will not provide public access to arrest records whose disclosure would:

• Deprive a person of a right to a fair trial.
• Reveal the identity of a confidential source.
• Reveal criminal investigative techniques or procedures.
• Constitute an unwarranted invasion of a person's privacy.
• Interfere with ongoing investigations or judicial proceedings.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

An arrest record maintained by an Essex County law enforcement agency includes the following information:

• The arrestee's full name and any aliases
• The date and place of the arrest
• The name of the offense
• Arresting agency's name
• The arrested person's mugshot

Essex County Arrest Statistics

The Patrol Division of the Essex County Sheriff's Office made about 242 arrests in 2022, with only 9 DWI arrests. That same year, the Essex County Jail booked 301 arrestees with an average daily population of 67, and about 279 inmates were released.

Find Essex County Arrest Records

The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) houses Essex County offenders with sentences over a year. These offenders' arrest records can be viewed online or in person at the DOCCS facilities. The DOCCS has an Incarcerated Lookup tool where individuals can conduct an arrest record search by department ID number, name, or New York State ID Number.

Essex County offenders are also housed in federal prison, and their arrest records can be retrieved online, by mail, or in person at federal law enforcement agencies. Most agencies like the United States Capitol Police (USCP), the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) make their arrest records publicly available in person. They also have online databases where members of the public can view arrest information for free. However, agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) restrict access to their arrest records.

Free Arrest Record Search in Essex County

Individuals can find arrest information for free at the Essex County Jail. The staff can provide individuals with access to inmate's arrest records on their computers without charges, but copies of such records will attract a fee. Record seekers can also use several third-party sites to conduct arrest record searches for free. However, such records are usually limited in scope. They may lack comprehensive details or up-to-date information, as they often rely on publicly available data that may not include recent updates or complete records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Individuals with convictions will have their arrest records remain permanent on criminal records unless they apply for sealing. It is important to note that sealed records still exist, but associated DNA samples, fingerprint and palmprint cards, and mugshots may be returned to the applicant or destroyed. Requesters whose arrest records are not eligible for sealing may have a timeframe for which they should be kept. The New York State Archives highlights these records on the Local Government Retention Schedules.

Expunge Essex County Arrest Records

New York has no expungement laws for most arrest records except those associated with marijuana crimes. However, the law permits eligible individuals to seal their arrest records. The Essex County Court Clerk automatically seals cases where the arrestee got a good result, minors and youthful offenders committed the crimes, and the offenses include violations and traffic infractions. Individuals whose arrested records are not automatically sealed should follow the steps below:

• STEP 1: The applicant should request a Criminal Certificate of Disposition from the Essex County Court Clerk by mail or in person. A copy of the document costs $5, payable by cash, credit card, certified check, or money order.
• STEP 2: After getting the certificate, the applicant should complete the Notice of Motion and Affidavit in Support and sign it before a notary public.
• STEP 3: Make a copy of the Criminal Certificate of Disposition, Notice of Motion Affidavit in Support, and any other supporting documents and serve them on the Essex County District Attorney. The person who mailed or delivered the documents should complete the Affidavit of Service and sign it before a notary public.
• STEP 4: File the original copies of all the documents with the Essex County Court Clerk. There is no filing fee for this service.
• STEP 5: The court will sign a Seal Order if the application is approved. Applicants can mail a completed Request for Seal Verification form with a copy of the Seal Order to the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services to confirm the sealing of their arrest records.

Essex County Arrest Warrants

The N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 120.10 defines an arrest warrant as a written order issued by an Essex County court directing a police officer to arrest a defendant and bring them before the court. The function of an arrest warrant is to ensure a defendant appears in court for the crime they have committed. An Essex County contains the following information:

• The arrest warrant issuance date
• The name of the issuing court
• The name or title of the offense committed by the defendant
• The defendant's name or any name or description that can be used to identify the defendant
• The police officer(s) to execute the warrant
• A direction that the officer arrest the defendant and bring them before the issuing court

An issuing judge can address an arrest warrant to a classification of police officers or two or more categories of officers. The judge can issue multiple copies of an arrest warrant. Police officers can execute arrest warrants anywhere, any day, and any time (N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 120.80). During execution, an arresting officer must show the defendant the arrest warrant if they have it. However, if the warrant is not with them during the arrest, they must make it available to the defendant as soon as possible upon request. According to N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 120.90, the arresting officer must immediately bring the defendant to the court where the warrant is returnable.

Do Essex County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Arrest warrants in Essex County remain valid indefinitely. They can only be resolved if the defendant appears before the issuing judge or upon the defendant's death.