Fulton County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Fulton County are official documents detailing the apprehension and detention of persons by law enforcement agents in the county. A typical Fulton County arrest record contains the arrestee’s personal information, the alleged offense committed, the date and location of the arrest, the arrest warrant, the arresting agency, and the detention facility.

In Fulton County, arrests can only be made based on a reasonable suspicion that an individual has committed, is committing, or will commit a crime. Persons arrested in the county are held in the Fulton County jail before their appearance in court. Although arrests are typically made with arrest warrants, New York law allows law enforcement officers to make arrests without warrants, especially if the crime was committed in the presence of the officer. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, and city police departments generate arrest records in the county. Record seekers can find Fulton County arrest records in the Fulton County Court Records, criminal records, and inmate records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Fulton County?

Yes. Per the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), government agencies are required to make available to the public upon request records generated, including arrest records, unless the release of such records is classified as confidential by law or court order. Arrest records/information typically exempted from public access in Fulton County include:

• Information that can compromise ongoing criminal investigations or the safety of persons involved
• Juvenile arrest records
• Evidentiary information
• Expunged or sealed records
• Sensitive personal information, including social security numbers, medical and mental health information, and driver’s license number

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Information contained in Fulton County arrest records includes the following

• Arrestee's personal information, such as complete name, date of birth, social security number, sex, race, age, and last known address
• Arrestee's biometrics, including mugshot and fingerprint
• Time and date of arrest
• Location of arrest
• Arrest charges
• Arresting agency
• Offense code and description
• Arresting officer ID
• Booking details

Fulton County Arrest Statistics

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office made 257 arrests in 2023, which was a 1.56% drop from the 261 arrests recorded in 2022, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Data Explorer. There were 171 male arrests and 86 female arrests, of which 26 were involved in simple assaults, 29 in drug-related offenses, 36 in driving under the influence, and 18 in larceny. Furthermore, 195 arrests were made in the county by the New York State Police in 2023.

Find Fulton County Arrest Records

Fulton County inmate records provide a viable means of obtaining the county’s arrest records. Inmate records typically contain information about the arrest of the inmates, such as the arrestee's name, sex, booking date, and the alleged offense. Arrest record seekers in Fulton County may visit the Fulton County Jail for records of inmates. They may be asked to provide an ID before they can be given access to the county’s inmate records. They can also request a Criminal History Record Search from the Office of Court Administration (OCA) using the OCA’s On-line Direct Access platform for criminal records, which generally includes arrest information.

In addition, anyone can use the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Inmate Locator to search for inmate records from Fulton County. They can search by name or prison identifying number.

Free Arrest Record Search in Fulton County

Fulton County does not have an online portal that can be used to search for the county’s arrest records. However, the following free official resources can be used to perform the county’s arrest record search:

• Office of Court Administration On-line Direct Access
• BOP Inmate Locator

Furthermore, some free third-party websites can be used to search for arrest records from Fulton County. These resources are accessible from any location electronically, which is beneficial for those who are unable to visit them in person. However, information obtained from these resources may be incomplete or inaccurate as they are run independently of official sources.

Fulton County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records only make up a part of a person's criminal records in Fulton County. The information provided by the two records is different. When someone is arrested, an arrest record is created; the record does not show whether or not the person is guilty of the crime. On the other hand, criminal records are created upon a person's conviction for a crime.

An arrest record in Fulton County usually includes details regarding an arrest, including the arresting agency, the date and place of the arrest, the alleged crime, and the arrested person's personal information. On the other hand, criminal records contain arrest records, criminal prosecution records, convictions, sentences, parole, and any other interactions a person may have with the criminal justice system.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Unless expunged or sealed under New York law, Fulton County arrest records are permanent. However, depending on the offense, the Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records (LGS-1) prescribes how long an agency can retain concluded records. For instance, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office may dispose of the case investigation records, including arrest records, of a misdemeanor 5 years after the case is closed. Note that an agency disposing of an individual’s arrest records does not mean the records will be deleted across other agencies in the state.

Expunge Fulton County Arrest Records

New York allows both expunging and sealing of arrest records. Expunged records are erased from storage as though they never existed, while sealed records are exempt from public access but may still be seen by authorized persons. Only marijuana-related arrest records can be expunged in Fulton County. Some marijuana offenses involving possession of up to 16 ounces of marijuana or sales of up to 25 grams of cannabis are eligible for automatic expungement. Those with marijuana-related convictions not eligible for automatic expungement may still petition a Fulton County court for vacation of conviction and expungement of records.

Furthermore, Fulton County arrest records associated with any of the following are automatically expunged:

• Traffic offenses and violations
• Crimes committed by minors
• Cases that ended in a favorable disposition, including acquittals and dismissals

An arrest record that does not qualify for automatic sealing may still be sealed upon a successful petition if the arrestee has no more than two misdemeanor convictions or one misdemeanor and one felony conviction and has not been arrested for any crime in the last 10 years. Persons convicted for sex offenses, violent felonies, and serious felonies are not eligible for sealing in Fulton County. To petition for sealing of arrest records, a petitioner must do the following:

• Complete the Criminal Disposition Certificate Form
• Complete the Sealing Application form before a notary public
• Send copies of the Sealing Application, Criminal Disposition certificate, and supporting documents to the Fulton County District Attorney. The DA has up to 45 days to object to the request for record sealing
• The person who served the county’s District Attorney must complete the Affidavit of Service form and sign it in the presence of a notary public
• File the originals of the Sealing Application, Criminal Disposition certificate, Affidavit of Service, and other supporting documents with the court
• The court will review the petition and, if successful, send a signed Sealed Order to the petitioner and relevant record custodians

Fulton County Arrest Warrants

In Fulton County, arrest warrants are issued by judges to permit the arrest and detention of individuals by law enforcement officers until they are brought before the court. Arrest warrants are initiated by law enforcement agents, who submit an affidavit to a Fulton County court containing details establishing probable cause for the issuance of an arrest warrant. The judge will issue the arrest warrant if they are satisfied that there is probable cause for arresting the subject named on the warrant based on the evidence provided. Fulton County arrest warrants are executable in any part of New York State and do not expire.

The following are the information typically found in a Fulton County arrest warrant:

• Name of person to be arrested, if known
• Description of the person to be arrested
• Name and signature of the judge issuing the arrest warrant
• Warrant number
• The court that issued the warrant
• A description of the alleged crime
• The date the warrant was issued

Do Fulton County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Fulton County do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until they are executed, the subject dies, or they are rescinded by the issuing court.