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  1. New York County Court
  2. New York County Arrest Records

New York County, New York Arrest Records

New York County arrest records contain pertinent information about individuals apprehended and held in custody by local law enforcement agencies. The arresting agency typically creates an arrest record immediately after an arrest, using information collected during the arrestee's booking and other relevant details. Arrest records serve a vital public interest purpose by ensuring that arrests are accurately documented and available for future review. They also promote transparency and accountability of law enforcement agencies' actions. 

New York County arrest records are also usually reported to the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), which uses them alongside other criminal justice records to compile an individual’s statewide criminal history records. Generally, the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) governs the release of arrest records. These records are typically maintained and accessible through the New York City Police Department (NYPD), specifically the precinct that made the arrest. There are 22 local precincts serving different areas of New York County. Meanwhile, official criminal history records are not subject to New York’s FOIL. As a result, they are not considered public records and are only released to eligible individuals and entities, such as the record subject.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in New York County, New York?

Yes. New York County arrest records are considered public pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in New York Public Officers Law Sections 84 to 90. The law establishes the public’s right to know how the government operates by allowing review of public documents generated and maintained by government agencies, such as local law enforcement agencies. 

Interested persons may use online resources provided by relevant government entities or submit a FOIL request to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to request public arrest records. Fortunately, there are no geographical restrictions or identification requirements for submitting a FOIL request for public arrest records. Thus, county and non-county residents may request public New York County arrest records. Furthermore, individuals are not required to present a valid ID when requesting arrest records. However, they must provide certain information to identify the sought record, such as the complete arrest record or the arrestee’s name, date of birth, NYSID, arrest date, and the arresting precinct.

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

Typical information found in public New York County arrest records includes, but is not limited to:

  • The arrestee’s full name 
  • NYSID and year of birth
  • Physical description, such as sex, race, height, weight, hair color, eye color, and nativity
  • Booking information: 
    • Book and case number
    • Current housing facility
    • Arrest date
    • Arrest number
    • Next court date
    • Bail status
  • Charge information:
    • Docket number
    • Indictment number
    • Court part
    • Court name
    • Charge details
  • Warrant details (if applicable)

Notwithstanding, certain information and arrest records are considered confidential and unavailable to the public pursuant to relevant state and federal law. For instance, arrest or booking photographs (mugshots) are exempt from public access per New York Public Officers Law §89 2(b) viii. Similarly, juveniles’ arrest records are not accessible to the public under N.Y. Family Court Act (FCT) § 381.3. Individuals may also apply to have their eligible arrest records sealed under N.Y. Criminal Procedure (CPL) § 160.59, which would restrict the record from public access.

New York County, New York Arrest Search

Individuals may locate New York County arrest information by requesting statewide criminal history records, also known as a rap sheet, from the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). These records are not subject to the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). As a result, they are only released to eligible individuals, such as the record subject. 

Interested persons must submit their fingerprints to request their statewide criminal history records from the DCJS. Note that two types of criminal history records may be requested from the DCJS: unsuppressed and suppressed records. Unsuppressed criminal history records contain all of an individual’s criminal records that the DCJS maintains, including sealed records. Meanwhile, suppressed criminal history records do not include sealed records. When requesting criminal history records, applicants must identify the type of record sought by providing the appropriate service code, such as 15464Z for suppressed records and 15465F for unsuppressed records

Generally, the procedure for requesting statewide criminal history records from the DCJS differs depending on whether an applicant lives within or outside New York. 

New York State Residents

State residents must schedule an appointment to have their fingerprints taken. Appointments may be scheduled through the IdentoGo website or by calling 877-472-6915 and providing the appropriate service code. 

On the scheduled fingerprint appointment date, applicants must bring one form of identification. If a parent or guardian seeks to request records on behalf of a minor (aged 11 to 17) who does not have an acceptable form of ID, they must complete the New York Photo ID Waiver for Minors form. Requesters must also pay the required fee ($17.50). Acceptable forms of payment include credit cards, checks, and money orders. Note that checks or money orders must be made payable to "Idemia".

After receiving a criminal record request, the DCJS will process it and send a response via U.S. mail within three (3) to four (4) days. Alternatively, requesters can pick up their response in person. 

Out Of State Residents

Out-of-state residents may visit the IdentoGo website and enter the relevant service codes. Afterward, they may click “Locate an Enrollment Center”, enter their zip code, or city and state, to find the closest center to them, and schedule an appointment. During their scheduled appointment, they must bring one form of identification and the appropriate fee ($47.50). 

However, if there are no IdentoGo locations nearby, requesters may download, print, and complete an FBI (FD-258) fingerprint card. Subsequently, they must contact a local law enforcement agency to have their fingerprint taken on the card. After receiving their completed fingerprint card, they can visit the IdentoGo website, enroll for Cardscan submission, provide relevant service codes, and pay a $17.50 fee. Upon completing the enrollment and paying the required fee, they will receive a confirmation page with a barcode in the top right corner. They must print and sign the confirmation page and mail it with their fingerprint card to: 

Prints, Inc 

IdentoGO NY Card Scan Operations 

100 Salem Ct. 

Tallahassee, FL 32301

Thereafter, the DCJS will receive the request, process it, and return a response via U.S. mail within three to four weeks. Applicants may also pick up the response in person.   

In cases where individuals were arrested in New York County but are held in state or federal custody, interested persons may find some of their arrest information through online resources provided by relevant agencies. For instance, they may use the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Incarcerated lookup portal to find information about individuals who were arrested and held in state custody. Meanwhile, information about those held in a federal correctional facility is accessible through the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator.

New York County Inmate Locator

The Person In Custody (PIC) lookup portal is a free online resource provided by the New York City Department of Correction (DOC). It allows users access to public information, including arrest details, about individuals held at NYC DOC facilities. The portal is searchable by NYSID number, Book and case number, or inmate first name. 

It is worth noting that most precincts in New York County may have in-house holding cells to temporarily detain arrestees before they are transferred. There are up to 22 precincts in New York County alone. The official pages, phone numbers, and addresses of these precincts are available through the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Precincts Directory page.

Active Warrant Search in New York County

According to N.Y. Criminal Procedure (CPL) §120.10, an arrest warrant is a court document that directs a police officer to apprehend a defendant and bring them before a court. It is typically issued by the judge of a local criminal court or the youth part of a superior court due to the filing of an accusatory instrument against a defendant. Per N.Y. CPL §120.10 (2), an arrest warrant must contain the following: 

  • The issuing court’s name
  • The warrant’s issuance date
  • The name and title of the offense charged in the accusatory instrument
  • The name of the defendant to be arrested, or any name or description that can be used to identify the defendant with reasonable certainty.
  • The name of the police officer(s) to whom the warrant is addressed. 
  • A direction that the addressed police officer(s) should arrest and bring the defendant to the issuing court.

Interested persons may find active warrants in New York County by contacting the county criminal court information line or visiting the court during working hours (9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday). Note that in-person visitors must bring a valid ID. New York County Criminal Court is located and may be contacted at: 

100 Centre Street 

New York, NY 10013

Phone: (646) 386-4511 

Alternatively, individuals may look up criminal case records online through the New York eCourts Webcriminal portal to find information about arrest warrants issued in criminal cases. They may also contact local police precincts to inquire about active warrants they are responsible for executing. Interested persons can use the NYPD Precinct Directory page to find New York County precincts.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in New York County

In New York County, record seekers may find arrest information for free online through the New York City Department of Correction’s Person In Custody (PIC) lookup portal. They would need to provide a subject’s name, NYSID, or book and case number to search the portal. However, the PIC lookup portal does not provide information about individuals in local police custody or confidential arrest records, such as juvenile arrest records. 

Another way to find arrest records is by submitting a FOIL request to New York County precincts through the NYC OpenRecords website. Requesters must provide an arrest number or the arrestee’s name, date of birth, NYSID, the arrest date, and the precinct of arrest to facilitate a search through the website. However, they will be charged a statutory fee for copies of records they receive.

New York County Arrest Report

A New York County arrest report is a narrative prepared by an arresting officer documenting their firsthand account of what happened during an arrest. It typically includes basic details about the arrest, the officer’s observations, evidence gathered, and any witness statements. Arrest reports are utilized during investigations and are typically kept confidential due to the sensitive information they may contain. 

On the other hand, an arrest record is an offical document that contains key details about an arrest, such as the arrestee’s personally identifiable information, charges or offense, and booking details. 

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in New York County

New York State Laws do not permit the expungement of arrest records. However, eligible arrest records may be sealed under state laws. Sealed records are protected from public access but remain accessible to the record’s subject, authorized individuals, and criminal justice agencies, such as courts and law enforcement agencies.  

New York State’s Clean Slate Act allows for the automatic sealing of eligible arrest records. Under the act, arrests that resulted in most misdemeanour and felony convictions may be sealed after some time has passed since the arrestee’s release from incarceration or their last conviction. However, arrest records are not eligible for sealing if the arrestee is on parole or probation, has any pending case, or was convicted of most class A felonies (except some drug offenses) or a serious crime such as murder or a sex offense. 

N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law (CPL) §160.59 is New York’s primary record sealing law. It allows individuals with two convictions or fewer to apply to seal their criminal records, including arrest records, provided the following is true; 

  • They have a maximum of two (2) criminal convictions in their lifetime or more than two (2) convictions related to the same one or two incidents. 
  • They have no more than one felony conviction
  • 10 years have passed since the arrestee's last conviction or incarceration. Time spent on probation or parole also counts towards these 10 years. 

New York County arrest records may also be eligible for conditional sealing under CPL §160.58. Generally, eligible individuals may use the NY courts' sealing application packet to apply for arrest record sealing under CPL §160.59 or §160.59. The packet contains detailed instructions for filing the record sealing application.

How Do You Remove New York County Arrest Records From the Internet?

The most effective way to remove New York County arrest records from the internet is to apply to have them sealed. Once sealed, arrest records are protected from public access. As a result, government and private entities are legally required to remove them from any publicly accessible online resources where they were previously published. Thoes who fail to comply with a record sealing order may be held legally liable.

Most third-party aggregator websites also allow individuals to opt out of their service, which in turn removes their public arrest records from the website’s database, regardless of whether the record has been sealed. However, opt-out requests are not always honored. Thus, individuals may need to regularly check relevant third-party websites to ensure that their records are not reuploaded after their removal.