Steuben County Arrest Records

Law enforcement agencies create arrest records if they take individuals into custody for criminal offenses. In Steuben County, NY, the county's Sheriff's Office, New York State Police, and federal and local law enforcement agencies generate arrest records to account for individuals they arrest for various crimes. Depending on the circumstances and nature of arrests, law enforcement agencies in Steuben County may hold arrestees at local holding cells for short-term detention, incarcerated individuals on pre-trial detention, and long-term sentences at the Steuben County Jail or New York State Police Barracks temporary holding facilities.

Under the federal and state criminal justice system, they play a crucial role in the early stages of criminal case trials. Hence, Steuben County arrest records are part of the general Steuben County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Steuben County?

Yes, Steuben County arrest records are public documents. Per the New York Freedom of Information Law, the public can access government records.

Notwithstanding, the public can not access Steuben County arrest records that relate to

• Juvenile crimes
• Sealed or expunged cases
• Ongoing judicial or law enforcement investigation
• Sensitive or protected details such as victim or witness information
• Official pardon
• Youthful Offender Adjudication
• Records barred by state or federal privacy laws.

Requesters must have legal authorization or judicial order to access exempted arrest records.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

An arrest record contains personal information of the owner of the record and details about the arrest. Typically, these include

• Legal name, gender, race, date of birth, aliases, and physical description of the owner of the record
• Arrest location, date, arresting agency, and charges against the arrestee
• Date and time of booking, mugshots, fingerprints, and bail or bond information.

Steuben County Crime Rate

Annual data from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice show a rise in the number of crime incidents within Steuben County. As of 2021, the total crime index rate for Steuben County was 871.8. This figure rose to 1,161.6 in 2023. Although reports show a general increase in crimes, larceny had the highest increase within the period. In 2023, there were 672 larceny incidents, 400% higher than burglary (the next highest crime). The table below shows Steuben's crime counts between 2021 and 2023.

Steuben County Rate 2021 to 2023

Data Source: New York State Division of Criminal Justice.

Steuben County Arrest Statistics

Arrest statistics from the New York Division of Criminal Justice show a mixed trend in the number of arrests and convictions for various offenses in Steuben County between 2019 and 2023. In 2023, there were 1,065 convictions and over 250 prison and jail terms for various crimes. Also, in 2022, 1,013 individuals were convicted for offenses, and more than 275 persons served jail and prison terms. The table below outlines Steuben County arrest statistics from 2019 to 2023.

Steuben County Arrest and Incarceration Statistics 2019 to 2023

Data Source: New York State Division of Criminal Justice.

Find Steuben County Arrest Records

There are several options for accessing Steuben County arrest records. To access Steuben County arrest records

• Log in to the Steuben County Sheriff's Office Incarcerated Individuals Search Page and access criminal records of the county's inmates
• Call the Steuben County Sheriff's Office at (607) 622-3901 and inquire about arrest records, or visit the office in person and make a FOIL request at

7007 Rumsey St. Extension,
Bath,
NY 14810.

• Obtain personal arrest records through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Criminal History Request Process (this option is available to the owners of the arrest records, and requesters must submit their fingerprints)
• Log in to the New York State Open FOIL webpage and submit a request to access Steuben County arrest records.

Free Arrest Record Search in Steuben County

There are several resources to source Steuben County arrest records. For free access to Steuben County arrest records:

• Log in to the Steuben County Sheriff's Office Incarcerated Individuals Search Page and view arrest records of the county's current convicts for free.
• Search for Steuben County arrest records online through third-party websites. Some private online repositories may offer free access to Steuben County law enforcement information.
• Look for Steuben County arrest records on local News websites or notice boards.

Get Steuben County Criminal Records

Steuben County arrest records are official details of individuals' encounters with the county's criminal justice system. Steuben County rap sheets include individuals' arrest records and documents relating to criminal prosecutions, convictions, and incarcerations.

To access Steuben County criminal histories:

• Call the Steuben County Clerk's Office at (607) 664-2563 for information or visit the office in person and make a FOIL request to access the county's rap sheets at

3 East Pulteney Square, Bath,
NY 14810

• Visit the New York Courts Criminal History Records Search Online-Direct Access Portal
• Create an account, log in, and submit a request for Steuben County criminal histories.

Alternatively:

• Download a Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) Application Form from the Criminal History Records Search Page
• Complete the form, enclose a check/money order for $95.00 to cover the search fee, and mail or email it to

The NYS Office of Court Administration

Division of Technology and Court Research

Criminal History Record Search Unit

25 Beaver Street (Room 830 – Front Counter)
New York,
NY 10004
Email: CHRS@nycourts.gov

• Request access to personal criminal records through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (to access criminal history through this option, record owners must submit their fingerprints)
• Visit the Clerk of Courts Office at the Steuben County Courthouse and make a FOIL request to access the county's rap sheets.

Steuben County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Steuben County and the rest of the United States, arrest and criminal records are vital law enforcement tools for ensuring public safety. Nonetheless, the following are some of the distinctions between both documents.

An arrest record is a law enforcement document that provides details of an arrest and explains why law enforcement takes an individual into custody. On the other hand, a criminal record outlines an individual's crimes and interactions with the criminal justice system.

An arrest record provides details of a single event, while a criminal record compiles all crimes, arrests, and convictions of the record's owner.

An arrest record does not confirm guilt or innocence and may not be part of the owner's criminal history. Contrariwise, a criminal record is evidence of conviction for a crime.

Arrest information has less impact than criminal records. Arrest information are generally easier to seal or remove from records (especially if the arrest does not lead to a criminal conviction). Criminal records are more difficult to seal (criminal records for crimes are not eligible for sealing), and they may have a lifelong impact on the owner's social status.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest information stays on a record indefinitely if the owner of the records does not petition the court to seal it. Per Section 160.50 of the New York Criminal Procedure Law, eligible individuals can petition the court to seal their arrest information.

Expunge Steuben County Arrest Records

Under Section 160.50 of the New York Criminal Procedure Law, there is automatic sealing of arrest records if

• There is nolle prosequi, acquittal, or dismissal of the case resulting from the arrest.
• The case results in Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD). The records will seal automatically after the ADC period if the owner meets all the conditions set by the court.

For arrest resulting in a conviction for non-criminal offenses, misdemeanors, or non-felony, the record owner can petition the court for its sealing if

• Ten years has elapsed from the date of the conviction for the crime
• The owner of the record has no pending criminal charges
• The owner of the record has no subsequent conviction for any crime within the 10-year waiting period
• The petitioner is between the ages of 16 and 19 at the time of the crime
• The arrest resulted from mistaken identity of there is DNA evidence to exonerate the individual
• The petitioner does not have more than two misdemeanor convictions or one felony and one misdemeanor conviction.

To seal a Steuben County arrest record, a petitioner should

• Obtain copies of the final disposition of the case, order of dismissal, record of convictions, or other supporting documents that may aid the petition.
• Obtain a copy of their rap sheets from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
• Draft a petition explaining the reason the court should seal the arrest information, and enclose the supporting documents, rap sheets, and any evidence of good conduct since the conviction.
• File a petition at the Steuben court that presided over the case.
• Pay all applicable filing fees.
• Serve a copy of the petition to the Steuben County District Attorney's Office and interested law enforcement agencies.
• Attend hearing (if applicable) to answer questions and counter objections from interested parties.
• Wait for the court to rule on the petition. If the petition is successful, the court will issue an order and notify the relevant agencies to seal the record.
• Ensure that law enforcement complies with the court order by requesting a copy of the criminal record to verify compliance.

Steuben County Arrest Warrants

Steuben County arrest warrants refer to official documents that authorize law enforcement to take into custody. To obtain an arrest warrant, law enforcement must show probable cause. A magistrate/judge of a Steuben County court will issue an arrest warrant if

• There is evidence that an individual committed a crime
• Law enforcement can prove that an individual intends to flee the jurisdiction to avoid prosecution for a crime
• A person violates probation or parole
• There are facts to show that an individual poses risks to self or the public.
• A person disobeys court orders.

Generally, to be valid, an arrest warrant should include the subject's identifying details and information that will make the warrant enforceable. Typically, this information includes

• Name, aliases, physical description, and last known address of the subject
• Charges against the subject and the statute or law that was allegedly violated
• Affidavit from law enforcement outlining evidence of crime against the suspect
• Signature of the issuing magistrate/judge and date of issuance of the warrant
• Jurisdiction where the warrant is valid
• Name and location of the issuing court
• Instructions to law enforcement on how to execute the arrest and return the warrant
• Bail or Bond information.

Steuben County Arrest Warrant Search

To access Steuben County active arrest warrants:

• Visit the Steuben County Sheriff's Office Warrants Page and view up-to-date information on the county's wanted persons
• Call, mail, or visit the Steuben County Sheriff's Office and request information on active arrest warrants
• Look for information about Steuben County active arrest warrants on local media websites or public notice boards
• Log in to the Steuben County Sheriff's Office website and search for arrest warrant information on the main page
• Visit the New York State Police Wanted and Missing Page and search for warrants relating to Steuben County fugitives
• Visit Steuben County courthouses for information on court-issued arrest warrants
• Search for active Steuben County arrest warrants on third-party websites that provide information on New York law enforcement activities.

Do Steuben County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Steuben County arrest warrants (or any arrest warrant in the U.S.) do not have expiry dates. Instead, they typically remain active until law enforcement apprehends the subject. However, a Steuben County arrest warrant will become inactive if the subject dies or the court recalls the warrant.