Franklin County Arrest Records

In Franklin County, arrests become necessary when an individual commits a crime, per state and federal laws. County law enforcement officers, private persons, and other authorized agencies may apprehend suspects with warrants or based on probable cause in line with New York arrest laws (CPL §120 and §140) to be subsequently booked into the county jail, arraigned, or released.

Different criminal justice agencies, such as courts, jails, and law enforcement agencies, create and maintain records following each case. For instance, the arresting agency generates an arrest record, the housing facility keeps booking records, and courts keep records of charges filed and their disposition.

Therefore, Franklin County arrest records may be available from the arresting agency, or relevant information may be included in Franklin County court records or criminal history records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Franklin County?

Yes, Franklin County arrest records are mostly public in compliance with New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). However, law enforcement agencies can restrict access to documents or information that may interfere with their duties or jeopardize an individual’s safety if disclosed. Records exempted from public disclosure may include:

• Arrest or booking photographs exempted from public release
• Confidential information and identity of confidential sources
• Documents that can hinder ongoing investigations or judicial proceedings if released
• Photographs, tapes, or other recordings prepared under traffic laws
• Personal data that would constitute an invasion of personal privacy if released
• Sensitive security information
• Other record expressly deemed confidential by state or federal statute

Only record subjects, authorized public personnel, or persons specifically granted the right to access by law, court order, or the record subject may access restricted arrest records. Otherwise, persons may request copies with redacted (obscured or erased) sensitive information.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Generally, public arrest records provide information on the arrested person, the alleged offense, and the circumstances surrounding the arrest. Specific details contained in a Franklin arrest record may include:

• The arrested person’s full name
• The arrested person’s gender, race, and physical description
• The arrested person’s age or birth date
• Alleged offense or charges with statutory code violated
• Arrest location, date, and time
• Warrant and housing details
• Release or court case details (if any).

Franklin County Arrest Statistics

According to arrest statistics provided by the FBI Crime Data Explorer, law enforcement agencies (Sheriff’s Office and State Police) in Franklin County recorded 715 arrests in 2023, comprising five incidents reported by the Sheriff’s Office and 710 arrests reported by the State Police within the county.

Additionally, Franklin County arrests in 2023 comprised 489 male arrests and 226 female arrests. The trending offenses this year included drug/narcotics violations, larceny, simple assault, DUIs, and vandalism/destruction of property. Furthermore, the five-year arrest statistics for Franklin County from 2019 to 2023 show similarities in the crime trend, as the most recorded arrests in these years happened for drug/narcotics violations, larceny, DUI, simple assault, and vandalism offenses, in descending order.

Find Franklin County Arrest Records

Accessing arrest records may depend on the agency that carried out the arrest. However, record seekers who do not know this may find relevant arrest details after conducting online inmate searches. Interested persons may do this through the search tools provided by the Federal Bureau of Prison, the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, or the New York City Department of Correction.

Users may look up inmates by specific inmate/booking/case numbers or by name and other personal descriptions. However, available information is limited to facilities within each agency’s jurisdiction.

Upon obtaining relevant arrest information, persons seeking paper copies of Franklin County arrest records should direct requests to the arresting agency by providing specific details on the subject or arrest and paying appropriate copy fees when required.

Free Arrest Record Search in Franklin County

Interested persons may obtain free arrest information about persons incarcerated in Franklin County by conducting online inmate searches or inspecting records at the arresting agency’s office. The Franklin Correctional Facility is a state prison serving the county. Hence, inmate searches through the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision can provide information on adults currently or previously incarcerated in the county jail.

To conduct searches, provide the inmate’s Department ID Number (DIN) or last name and other known details like birth year, first name, and suffix. Similarly, interested persons may conduct free arrest record searches with tools provided by third-party sites by providing similar details.

On the other hand, inspecting arrest records usually involves visiting the arresting agency and providing specific information on the record subject or arrest.

Franklin County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The major distinction between arrest records and criminal records in Franklin County is the extent of information covered by each record. On the one hand, arrest records, as the name suggests, provide summaries of circumstances surrounding arrests, including the offense, initial charge, suspect’s details, warrant number (if any), and arrest description (location and time). These records focus on each arrest incident and its specific offense.

On the other hand, criminal records focus on the record subject’s criminal activities, including arrest, prosecution, disposition, and incarceration. These records contain information collated from different criminal justice agencies within certain jurisdictions. Hence, while arrest records can prove suspicion and arrest, they cannot be used to prove convictions like criminal records.

In overview, while both records are generated by criminal justice agencies, criminal records usually provide extensive information on an individual’s criminal history. However, while arrest records are mostly public, access to an individual’s complete criminal history is restricted to the record subjects, and other parties granted the right to access by law or signed consent from the subject.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Franklin County, how long an adult or juvenile arrest remains in one’s criminal history record depends on the case disposition and how much time has passed since satisfying all sentence conditions, i.e., fines, jail time, probation, etc. Generally, arrests that lead to dismissals or acquittals and certain marijuana convictions qualify for automatic expungement or sealing, making the record publicly unavailable. Youthful offender sentences also make records sealed automatically upon designation.

However, under the New York Clean Slate Act (effective November 16, 2024), more misdemeanor and felony convictions may qualify for automatic sealing after a required waiting period.

Excluding arrests or convictions that qualify for automatic expungement or sealing (initiated by the court or custodian), other arrests, and connected charges or conviction details may require persons to apply for sealing under applicable laws. Otherwise, the case shall stay on one’s record forever and may be available to the public as per state laws.

Expunge Franklin County Arrest Records

Expunging one’s record in Franklin County refers to removing eligible incidents, cases, or convictions from public access, making it unavailable to most persons who conduct background checks, excluding prosecutors, authorized employers, and law enforcement agencies. State laws mostly refer to this process as sealing.

Non-conviction arrests are mostly sealed automatically, along with certain marijuana or youthful offender convictions. However, persons may apply for sealing under CPL 160.59 if:

• 10 years have passed since the sentence or incarceration
• Applicant is not required to register as a sex offender
• Applicant does not have two or more felony convictions (of separate incidents)
• Applicants’ convictions do not exceed two misdemeanors or a combination of one felony and one misdemeanor
• Applicant does not have any active criminal case
• Application is not for an ineligible offense, such as Class A felonies, homicide/violent/sex offenses, or conspiracy to commit ineligible offenses.

Persons who meet the eligibility requirements may file an Application to Seal Records following the instruction provided within the application, such as:

1. Requesting a Criminal Certificate of Disposition of each case from the court where conviction happened
2. Filling out the application, attaching any evidence of rehabilitation, and notarizing needed documents
3. Making two or more copies of a complete application, attached documents, and Certificate of Disposition
4. Notifying the District Attorney of the application by serving (mailing or delivering) copies of the full application. Ensure to get the prosecutor’s office stamps all copies as “received”.
5. Obtaining proof of service from the prosecutor’s office in the form of an Affidavit of Service or a time-stamped, self-served application. Make two or more copies.
6. Filing the original completed application, affidavit of service, and other supporting documents at the appropriate court
7. Keeping proof of filing in the form of a certified mail receipt or copy of an application time-stamped as “received” by the court clerk
8. Attending scheduled hearing if the prosecution opposes the application or awaits decision
9. Receiving the decision from the court by mail, getting a copy of the sealing order, and confirming sealing by sending a copy of the order with Seal Verification Form to the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Conditional sealing of drug-related convictions is also possible under CPL 160.58. Additionally, the New York Clean Slate Act (effective November 16, 2024) will make misdemeanors and certain non-violent, non-sexual felonies qualify for automatic expungement.

Franklin County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are legal papers directing peace officers to arrest a suspect or defendant. Local criminal courts issue Franklin County arrest warrants after a criminal complaint is filed against a defendant, and there are accusatory instruments showing sufficient proof that the defendant committed the offense charged. The purpose of this warrant is to bring the defendant to court.

As per state laws (CPL 120.10), arrest warrants in Franklin County should include:

• The defendant’s name or identifying description if the name is unknown
• Offense charged
• The name of the issuing court
• Issuance date
• The police officer(s) or classification of officers who can execute the warrant
• The command for the defendant's arrest and court appearance.

Do Franklin County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Unless recalled or quashed by the issuing body, arrest warrants in Franklin County shall remain valid and active until a law enforcement officer executes the warrant, the named individual appears in court, or the subject dies. Hence, persons with warrants out for their arrest can be arrested at any time by authorized police officers.