Ulster County Arrest Records

A police officer in Ulster County will make an arrest if a suspect is identified and there is good cause to believe that they committed the crime. After the arrest, the suspect may be searched and brought into custody for booking. The booking process involves taking the suspect’s fingerprints and photographs and entering their personal information into the system. Afterward, the officer will bring the suspect before a judge for arraignment. During the arraignment, the suspect can plead not guilty or guilty to the charges against them. If the suspect pleads guilty, the court may impose a sentence immediately or set a future court date. If the suspect pleads not guilty, they may receive bail, be released on their own recognizance, or be held in jail. The judge will set a court date for trial. The trial will result in an acquittal or conviction of the charges against the defendant. The defendant will be sentenced if they are found guilty of the charges against them. However, they will be released if found not guilty of the offense.

The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office records all information related to an arrest. After a while, such information is made public. However, the Sheriff’s Office does not maintain case information related to the arrest. Individuals must request Ulster County court records from the Clerk's Office to determine the arrest's outcome.

Are Arrest Records Public in Ulster County?

Yes. Individuals can access arrest records as provided by the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIA). Therefore, Ulster County law enforcement agencies make most arrest records available for public inspection and copying. They deny access to arrest records deemed confidential by the FOIA. Examples of such records are:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Medical records of arrested persons
• Arrest records whose disclosure could endanger the life or safety of any person
• Arrest records whose disclosure would
  • Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
  • Interfere with police investigations or judicial proceedings
  • Deprive an individual of a right to an impartial adjudication or a fair trial
  • Reveal the identity of a confidential source
  • Disclose confidential information associated with a criminal investigation
  • Reveal criminal investigative procedures or techniques
• Arrest records containing personal information reported in confidence to a law enforcement agency and not relevant to the ordinary work of the agency

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office provides public access to arrest records. These records typically include the following details:

• Record Details (inmate ID and full name, main address, height, weight, gender, race, age, and eye and hair color)
• Custody details (custody status, booked date, custody status date, and holding facility)
• Reporting agency (address and phone number)

Ulster County Crime Rate

In 2022, Ulster County had about 1,727 index crimes. Property crimes totaled 1,525, while violent crimes totaled 202. The three major crimes recorded that year were larceny (1,314), aggravated assault (136), and burglary (130).

Ulster County Arrest Statistics

The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office Annual Report shows about 2,870 arrests in 2022. About 1998 of them were misdemeanor arrests, while 872 were felony arrests. About 204 warrants were closed by arrests. The Sheriff’s Office arrested 166 residents for driving while intoxicated or driving while impaired. The overall daily population of arrested persons brought into the correctional facility averaged 158 in 2022, which is a decrease from the 171 recorded the previous year. The average length of stay for an arrestee was 160.5 days. In 2023, about 186 arrested persons were housed in the Ulster County jail. In 2019, Ulster County recorded about 3,428 adult arrests. Approximately 975 of them were felony arrests while 2,453 were misdemeanor arrests.

Find Ulster County Arrest Records

The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) disseminates arrest records online through its Incarcerated Lookup tool. The search criteria are by department ID number (DIN), name, or New York State ID Number (NYSID). Alternatively, individuals can visit any of the DOCCS facilities to request arrest records during business hours.

Individuals searching for arrest records of Ulster County offenders who violated federal laws can contact federal law enforcement agencies. These agencies make arrest records available to the public upon request. Most of them have online portals where requesters can find arrest records at no cost. Here are some federal law enforcement agencies and how they disseminate arrest records:

• The United States Capitol Police (USCP) issues arrest summary reports online. Users can filter their searches using a CFN number, crime date, crime summary, or crime type. Requesters can also mail a completed Request Form to the USCP to obtain copies of arrest records. It takes about 7 to 10 days to process such requests. The USCP will deliver the desired record by fax, mail, or email, or the requester can pick it up in person at the office. The mailing address is:

United States Capitol Police
Reports Processing Section
119 D Street, Ne
Washington, DC 20510

• Subjects of records can obtain copies of arrest records online, by mail, or through approved channelers at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). They must pay a fee of $18 by money order, credit card using the Credit Card Payment Form, or certified check before the request can be processed. A completed Applicant Information Form is required for mail requests. The mailing address is:

FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) provides access to arrest records online through the Online Detainee Locator System. A search can be conducted using an A-Number or biographical information. Requesters can also submit in-person requests at any of ICE’s local field offices or detention facilities. To facilitate the search, they must know some basic information about the record.
• The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) makes arrest records available online and in person at its facilities. Online requesters must use the Inmate Locator tool available on the BOP’s website and conduct a search by number or name.

Free Arrest Record Search in Ulster County

Individuals can view arrest records online on the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office website without charges. The Incarcerated Individuals Search portal provides a list of the arrest information of all inmates in the county jail. Users can enter information about the arrestee in the search box to easily locate the desired record.

Inquirers can also get free arrest records from third-party websites. A name is required to conduct such searches, which will return information on all arrested individuals bearing the searched name across multiple jurisdictions. However, free arrest record searches only return basic information. Users would have to pay a fee to retrieve comprehensive arrest information.

Get Ulster County Criminal Records

The New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) provides fingerprint-based criminal records to subjects of records. Record seekers can request a criminal record that is either unsuppressed or suppressed. Residents must schedule their fingerprint appointment through an approved third-party vendor or by phone at (877) 472-6915. Any of the following service codes must be provided:

• 15464Z: Suppressed Record
• 15465F: Unsuppressed Record

The requester must bring a valid ID when making the appointment. Parents requesting their minor children’s criminal records can complete a New York Photo ID Waiver for Minors form. They must also pay a processing fee of $14.25, payable by credit cards, checks, and money orders. Upon submission, the DCJS will process the request and return the response by U.S. mail between three to four weeks. Individuals cannot pick up their requests in person at the office. Individuals who cannot afford to pay the processing fee can request a criminal history record fee waiver application packet by email at RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov or Surface Mail at

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
Records Review Unit
80 South Swan St.
5th Floor
Albany, NY 12210

Individuals residing out of the state can only schedule fingerprint appointments through the approved third-party vendor. A fee of $44.25 must be paid for such services. Those living in cities where the third-party vendor does not operate can complete an FBI (FD-258) fingerprint card and visit their local law enforcement agencies to have their fingerprints taken on it. Afterward, they must visit the approved third-party vendor’s website and enroll for Cardscan submission. Afterward, the requester will receive a confirmation page with a barcode on it. They have to print and sign the confirmation page and mail it alongside the completed fingerprint card to the approved vendor.

Ulster County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An arrest record is typically more limited in scope than a criminal record. It serves as documented evidence of an individual's suspicion of involvement in criminal activity. Arrest records detail the arrestee’s personal information, the reason for the arrest, and the circumstances surrounding the apprehension. Conversely, criminal records contain a person’s arrest and conviction information. It details the arrestee’s personal information and notations of arrests, indictments, charges, and dispositions.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Ulster County, arrest records are permanent and cannot be expunged except for those involving eligible marijuana offenses. However, individuals may have the option to seal their arrest records, limiting public access to them. The New York State Archives provides Local Government Retention Schedules where individuals can find the retention periods of some arrest records. For Example:

• Iarresncident, complaint, or arrest summary records or logs are permanent
• Prisoner case records are kept for 15 years after the death or discharge of the prisoner
• Prisoners' activity logs are kept for 3 years
• Detailed information on confidential informants is kept until after the individual is deceased or 90 years after the individual's date of birth
• Data on criminals and suspects are kept for 5 years after the death of the individual, or 90 years after the individual's date of birth, whichever is shorter, provided no arrest in the last 5 years
• Case investigation files for homicides, active warrants, suicides, arson, stolen or missing firearms (until recovered or destroyed), missing persons (until located), aggravated sexual assault (first degree), and course of sexual conduct against a child (first degree) are permanent
• Case investigation files for felonies except those covered by parts "a" and "c," and fatalities other than homicides are kept for 25 years after the case is closed
• Case investigation files for fourth-degree arson and non-fatal accidents are kept for 10 years after the case is closed
• Case investigation files for misdemeanors are kept for 5 years after the case is closed
• Case investigation files where the offense involved was a violation or traffic infraction are kept for 1 year after the case is closed, and those where the investigation reveals no offense has been committed by an adult are kept for 5 years
• Case investigation files for sexual offenses against a child, excluding sexual offenses, are kept until after the child attains age of 55
• Case investigation files of juveniles in which no arrest was made, or no offense was committed are kept for one year after the individual attains the age of 18.

Expunge Ulster County Arrest Records

New York has no laws to expunge criminal records, only some marijuana crimes can be expunged. However, arrested persons can seal their records. Some arrest records are automatically sealed in Ulster County. Examples of such records are:

• Cases where the arrestee got a good result
• Crimes committed by children
• Crimes committed by a youthful offender.
• Violations and traffic infractions such as disorderly conduct and trespass are partially sealed.

Individuals can petition the court to seal their arrest records if:

• They have successfully completed a drug treatment program.
• They have just two misdemeanors, or one felony and one misdemeanor conviction, and have not committed any other crime for ten years.

Eligible persons must complete the Request for Criminal Certificate of Disposition and submit it to the Ulster County Court Clerk. The Clerk will send a Certificate of Disposition to the applicant. After receiving the certificate, the applicant must complete the Sealing Application (pages 1 and 2 called Notice of Motion and Affidavit in Support). They must serve the two pages on the Ulster County District Attorney. After the service, the applicant must complete page 3 of the Sealing Application (the Affidavit of Service section). They must file all pages of the Sealing Application and any supporting documentation with the Ulster County Court. If the court grants the request, an order will be signed to that effect. Requesters can complete the Request for CPL 160.59 Seal Verification Form and mail it to the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services to confirm if their records have been sealed. The form must be submitted alongside a copy of the signed court seal order. A sealed arrest record is open to the record holder, someone authorized by the record holder, employers, parole officers, prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies after a request to the court.

Ulster County Arrest Warrants

Per N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 120.10, an arrest warrant is a process issued by a court that directs a police officer to arrest a person designated in an accusatory instrument filed with the court. A court can issue multiple copies of an arrest warrant to a classification of police officers, two or more classifications, or designated individual police officer(s). An arrest warrant must contain the following information:

• The issuing court’s name
• The issuance date of the warrant
• The name or title of an offense committed by the defendant
• The defendant’s name or any name or description that would help identify the person.
• The police officer (s) to whom the warrant is addressed
• A command that the officer arrest the named person and bring them before the issuing court.

According to N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 120.80, an arrest warrant can be executed any day of the week and at

any hour or night. The arresting officer must inform the accused that a warrant has been issued in their name for a designated offense. They must show the accused the warrant upon request. If the officer does not have the warrant in their possession, they must show it to the defendant as soon as possible after the arrest. After an arrest, the executing officer must bring the defendant before the local criminal court without unnecessary delay (N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 120.90).

Ulster County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals can get arrest warrant information online on the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office website. Users can enter search criteria in the search field to narrow the search. Copies of arrest warrant records can be found in person at the Sheriff’s Office. The record staff will require a name or warrant number to process the request. The office is located at:

Ulster County Sheriff’s Office
380 Boulevard,
Kingston, NY 12401
Phone: (845) 338-3640
Email: sheriff@co.ulster.ny.us

Do Ulster County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Arrest warrants issued in Ulster County do not have expiration dates. They are only cleared when the defendant dies or appears before a judge in the court where the warrant was issued.