Livingston County Arrest Records

In Livingston County, New York, arrest records are official documents that detail instances where individuals have been taken into custody by law enforcement. Arrests become necessary when an individual is suspected of committing a crime, violating a court order, or when there is a warrant issued for their arrest. These arrests are conducted by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, local police departments, or other law enforcement agencies operating within the county. Persons arrested are held at the Livingston County Jail pending arraignment, trial, or bail.

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for generating arrest records. These arrest records are an essential part of the Livingston County Court Records, as they provide foundational information for court proceedings.

Are Arrest Records Public in Livingston County?

Livingston County arrest records are public, in accordance with the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). This law mandates that most government records, including arrest records, be accessible to the public to promote transparency. Hence, residents of the county can access, view, and obtain copies of Livingston County arrest records.

However, there are certain records that the FOIL restricts the access of the public. For example, arrest records that are part of ongoing investigations, involve juveniles or contain sensitive personal information are exempt from public disclosure. Additionally, records that could jeopardize a person’s safety compromise a fair trial, or reveal the identity of a confidential informant are also outside of public view.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Livingston County typically contain the following information:

• Personal details of the arrestee - full name, date of birth, gender, and physical description (height, weight, etc.).
• Arrest Details - date, time, location, and alleged offense committed.
• Information regarding the arresting agency and officer.
• Booking information - date, time, and number, as well as mugshot.
• Case status - pending charges or court dates.

Livingston County Arrest Statistics

Arrest statistics for Livingston County are included in the New York State Crime Report by the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), which compiles data through the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) and Incident-Based Reporting (IBR) programs. According to the 2021 report, there were a total of 530 arrests, including 46 for violent crimes and 484 for property crimes. For violent crimes, there were no murder arrests, 18 rape arrests, two robbery arrests, and 26 aggravated assault arrests. Regarding property crimes, there were 77 burglary arrests, 381 larceny arrests, and 26 motor vehicle theft arrests.

Find Livingston County Arrest Records

The New York Department of Corrections (DOC) administers a public access database of inmates in all county jails in the state that can be searched online. Use the inmate lookup tool to find individual inmates of Livingston County. It can be searched by department ID number, name, or New York State ID number. Residents can also look up parole information.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provides the BOP Inmate Locator. This tool has information about inmates in federal prisons. Users can conduct searches by name. The tool provides the inmate’s location, release date, and other relevant information.

Free Arrest Record Search in Livingston County

Access to Livingston County arrest records and inmate information is provided for free by official sources below:

• The DOC inmate lookup tool, and
• The BOP Inmate Locator.

Another option for obtaining arrest records in Livingston County is through free third-party websites that provide access to public records. These sites may offer a variety of records, but it is important to note that the information they provide may not always be as accurate or current as what is available from official government sources. Therefore, it is essential to verify any details obtained from these third-party platforms by cross-checking with official records.

While these websites can be convenient, users should approach them with caution. For the most reliable and comprehensive information, it is always advisable to rely on official channels or government-backed resources.

Livingston County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Livingston County, arrest records and criminal records represent distinct situations and stages regarding an individual’s encounters with the legal system.

An arrest record is generated when a person is taken into custody by law enforcement on suspicion of committing a crime. This record provides details of the arrest event, including the individual’s personal information, the date and time of the arrest, the charges or suspected offenses, and the law enforcement agency involved. Importantly, an arrest record does not necessarily indicate that the person was found guilty; it simply reflects that they were arrested.

In contrast, a criminal record offers a broader history of a person’s criminal activities and their progress through the legal system. It is created once formal charges are brought and court proceedings have begun. Criminal records include not just arrest information but also details of convictions, acquittals, sentencing, and any plea agreements. These records reflect the final outcomes of legal actions and can range from misdemeanors to felonies.

The main difference between the two lies in their scope and purpose. While an arrest record documents the initial apprehension of a person, a criminal record provides the complete legal history, including whether the individual was found guilty or the charges were dropped. In short, an arrest record shows that someone was taken into custody, but only a criminal record reveals the final resolution of the charges.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In New York, including Livingston County, arrests can remain on a person’s record indefinitely unless sealed. Under New York law, arrests that do not result in a conviction are eligible for sealing. Interested persons can apply to seal their arrest records.

Expunge Livingston County Arrest Records

In Livingston County, state law does not provide for expunging criminal records; instead, individuals can seal records that qualify for sealing. Sealing means that your record will continue to exist but be hidden from the public. A sealed record will not be available for most civil purposes. However, it can be accessed by or for the following purposes:

• Law enforcement and prosecutors, with a court order,
• During the hiring as a law enforcement officer,
• For gun licensing, and
• Certain government-regulated jobs, including those where the entity conducts fingerprint-based background checks.

A person may be eligible for sealing or expungement if:

• The charges were dismissed, resulted in an acquittal, or the arrest did not lead to a conviction.
• The person was convicted of certain non-violent, non-sexual offenses and has had no other convictions for 10 years after completing their sentence (this applies under New York’s Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59).
• The individual was convicted of juvenile delinquency or youthful offender status. except if the person was over 13 years old and was tried as a “juvenile offender” for a serious crime. In that case, the record is treated as if the person was an adult.
• Certain drug-related offenses can be sealed if the individual completes a court-approved treatment program.
• The person is not under probation or parole supervision
• No criminal charges are pending in New York State.

Generally, the convictions below do not qualify for sealing in Livingston County, New York:

• Sex crimes (New York Penal Code 130 and New York Penal Code 263),
• Sexually violent offenses (New York Corrections Law Section 168-a(3)),
• Class A felonies (except drug-related convictions- New York Penal Code 220),
• Homicide offenses (New York Penal Code 125),
• All “violent felonies” (New York Penal Code 70.02), and
• Felony conspiracy to commit one of the above felonies.

The waiting period starts to count when incarceration is completed or from the sentencing date (if there was no incarceration sentence). If the person is convicted for another offense during the waiting period, the waiting period resets to the most recent conviction.

The process to apply for sealing is below:

• Request a Criminal Certificate of Disposition from the court that made the conviction. Fill out a separate request for each case you are requesting to be sealed. Submit it along with the applicable fee to the court (you can use the court locator tool to find the contact information of the court).
• Complete the Sealing Application (also called the Notice of Motion and Affidavit in Support). The application should be accompanied with every necessary evidence of rehabilitation.
• Serve a copy of the Certificate of Disposition, Sealing Application, and accompanying documents on the relevant District Attorney’s Office in the county by mail or in person.
• After serving the District Attorney’s Office, the person who mailed or delivered the documents must fill out the Affidavit of Service and sign it in front of a notary public. If you served more than one District Attorney’s Office, fill out a separate Affidavit of Service for each of the offices served.
• File the original copies of the Sealing Application, Affidavit of Service, Certificate of Disposition, and any other supporting documents with the court.
• The court will review the motion, and in some cases, a hearing may be scheduled. The judge will consider factors like:
  • The nature of the crime.
  • Time elapsed since the conviction.
  • Evidence of good conduct or rehabilitation.
  • The impact of the arrest record on the individual’s life.
• If your sealing application is approved by the court, you will receive a court-signed Seal Order. To verify that your New York State Criminal History Record has been sealed, complete the Request for Seal Verification form and mail it along with a copy of the court-signed Seal Order to the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (the mailing address is provided on the Request form).

Livingston County Arrest Warrants

In Livingston County, an arrest warrant is a legal document issued by the court that authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest an individual suspected of committing a crime. Arrest warrants are issued based on a request from the District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement, or any other prosecutor. The request usually contains a sworn affidavit or complaint presenting sufficient evidence to show probable cause that the person should be arrested for the reasons given.

An arrest warrant may be issued when a crime is committed and the suspect has not been apprehended. It can also be issued when an investigation reveals evidence linking an individual to an offense or when a person involved in a crime poses flight risk or tries to evade arrest.

A valid arrest warrant includes the following details:

• Full name of the individual to be arrested and any known aliases.
• Personal details, such as name and physical description.
• Description of the charges against the individual.
• A statement outlining the reason for the warrant.
• Date and time of issuance.
• Judge’s signature and court seal.
• Instructions regarding the arrest.

Do Livingston County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Livingston County, arrest warrants generally do not expire. Once an arrest warrant is issued by a court, it remains in effect until the individual named in the warrant is apprehended, or the court withdraws or cancels the warrant.