Erie County Public Records /Erie County Criminal Records

Erie County Criminal Records

What Is Erie County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Erie County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Erie County, New York. These records are maintained pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 87, which establishes the framework for public records maintenance and access throughout the state.

Criminal records encompass several distinct categories of documentation:

Arrest Records: Documents created when law enforcement takes a person into custody on suspicion of criminal activity. These records include booking information, charges, and arrest circumstances.
Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas, whether through trial proceedings or plea agreements.
Court Records: Comprehensive case files maintained by the Erie County courts detailing arraignments, hearings, motions, trial proceedings, and case dispositions.
Incarceration Records: Documentation of periods of confinement in Erie County correctional facilities.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office maintains records related to arrests, bookings, and active warrants within the county jurisdiction. The Sheriff's Office provides access to certain warrant information as permitted by New York law.

Criminal records distinguish between felonies (serious offenses potentially punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year) and misdemeanors (lesser offenses typically punishable by up to one year of incarceration). This classification significantly impacts record accessibility and potential consequences for the individual.

Adult criminal records in Erie County generally remain accessible to the public, while juvenile records (individuals under 18) are typically sealed under New York Family Court Act § 375.1 to protect minors' privacy and future opportunities.

Multiple agencies maintain portions of Erie County's criminal records system:

Erie County Sheriff's Office
10 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 858-7618
Erie County Sheriff's Office

Erie County Clerk's Office
92 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 858-8785
Erie County Clerk's Office

New York State Office of Court Administration
25 Beaver Street
New York, NY 10004
(800) 374-8652
New York State Unified Court System

Are Criminal Records Public In Erie County

Criminal records in Erie County are generally considered public documents under the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law Article 6. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

Section 87 of the Public Officers Law states: "Each agency shall... make available for public inspection and copying all records..." This provision forms the legal foundation for public access to criminal records in Erie County.

However, not all criminal records are equally accessible. The following distinctions apply to record availability:

Public Records: Adult conviction records, court proceedings, sentencing information, and active warrants are generally available for public inspection through the Erie County Clerk's Office.
Restricted Records: Certain categories of criminal records have limited accessibility, including:
- Ongoing criminal investigations
- Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records expunged under New York Criminal Procedure Law
- Records where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy

The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) maintains the official criminal history record repository for the state, including Erie County records. While conviction records are public, the OCA restricts access to comprehensive criminal history reports to authorized agencies and individuals with specific statutory authority.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Erie County Sheriff's Office, maintain additional criminal records that may not be fully accessible to the general public, particularly those related to ongoing investigations or containing sensitive information protected under privacy statutes.

Individuals seeking access to their own criminal records in Erie County may request personal local criminal record history services through the Erie County Sheriff's Office, which provides more comprehensive access than what is available to the general public.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Erie County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Erie County may utilize several methods to access this information. The appropriate approach depends on the specific type of record sought and its current status within the criminal justice system.

For in-person requests at the Erie County Clerk's Office:

Visit the County Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
Complete a records request form, specifying the information sought (case number, individual name, date range).
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable fees for copies of records (currently $0.25 per page for standard copies).
Allow processing time, which varies based on request complexity and record availability.

Erie County Clerk's Office
92 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 858-8785
Erie County Clerk's Office

For written requests under the Freedom of Information Law:

Submit a written FOIL request to the Records Access Officer at the appropriate agency.
Include specific details about the records sought (names, dates, case numbers if available).
Provide contact information for response delivery.
Allow up to five business days for initial acknowledgment and up to 20 business days for a substantive response, as required by Public Officers Law § 89(3).

For criminal case records specifically:

Contact the Erie County Court where the case was adjudicated.
Provide the case number if available, or the defendant's name and approximate case date.
Specify which documents are being requested (e.g., indictment, sentencing order, disposition).

Erie County Court
25 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 845-2000
New York State Unified Court System

For active warrant information:

Access the Erie County Sheriff's Office warrant database.
Enter search criteria such as name, date of birth, or warrant number.
Review results, noting that not all warrants may be publicly displayed.

For comprehensive criminal history reports:

Submit fingerprints to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.
Complete required authorization forms.
Pay the established fee (currently $65.00).
Allow 3-5 business days for processing.

How To Find Criminal Records in Erie County Online?

Erie County provides several digital platforms for accessing criminal records information online. These resources offer varying levels of detail and accessibility depending on the specific record type and privacy considerations.

The Erie County Clerk's Office maintains an online public records search portal that allows users to access court filings and case information. This system can be accessed through the Erie County Clerk's Online Public Record Search platform. Users may search by:

Party name
Case number
Filing date range
Document type

The search functionality includes access to:

Civil court filings
Criminal court cases
Judgment records
Tax lien information
Business certificates

For e-filed court documents, the New York State Court Electronic Filing system provides immediate online access to court records filed electronically in Erie County. Users must register for an account to access this system, which contains:

Case filings
Motions
Decisions
Orders
Other court documents

The Erie County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of active warrants that is publicly accessible. The warrant search function allows users to search by:

Last name
First name
Date of birth

For jail custody information, the Sheriff's Office provides an inmate lookup service through their website. This database includes:

Current inmates
Booking information
Charges
Bond amounts
Court dates

The New York State Unified Court System offers WebCrims, a statewide case information system that includes Erie County criminal cases. This system provides:

Case status information
Future court appearance dates
Case disposition details
Judge assignments

New York State Unified Court System
25 Beaver Street
New York, NY 10004
(800) 374-8652
New York State Unified Court System

Users should note that online record systems may not contain complete criminal history information. Certain records, particularly older cases or those involving sensitive matters, may require in-person requests at the appropriate agency.

Can You Search Erie County Criminal Records for Free?

Erie County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records without payment of fees, in accordance with New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and related statutes. Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii) establishes that agencies may charge fees only for copies of records, not for inspection of records.

Free inspection of criminal records is available at the following locations:

Erie County Clerk's Office
92 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 858-8785
Erie County Clerk's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Erie County Court
25 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 845-2000
New York State Unified Court System
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Several online resources provide free access to criminal record information:

The Erie County Sheriff's Office warrant database allows free searches for active warrants.
The Erie County Clerk's Online Public Record Search provides free access to basic case information, though document retrieval may incur fees.
The New York State WebCrims system offers free access to criminal case status information for cases filed in Erie County courts.

While inspection of records is generally free, fees apply in the following circumstances:

Printed copies of documents ($0.25 per page)
Certified copies of court records ($8.00 per document)
Complete criminal history reports from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services ($65.00)
Expedited record retrieval services (fees vary)

Individuals seeking their own criminal records may request a personal local criminal history check through the Erie County Sheriff's Office, though fees apply for this service.

Public computer terminals are available at the Erie County Clerk's Office and public libraries throughout the county, providing free access to online court record databases during regular business hours.

What's Included in a Erie County Criminal Record?

Erie County criminal records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information as outlined below.

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Mugshot/booking photograph
Residential address at time of arrest
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency
Booking number
Initial charges filed
Bail amount and status
Detention facility information
Arresting officer's name and badge number

Court Case Information:

Case/docket number
Court of jurisdiction
Filing date
Formal charges and corresponding New York Penal Law statutes
Classification of offenses (felony/misdemeanor)
Plea information
Defense attorney information
Prosecutor information
Judge assignment
Court appearance dates

Disposition Information:

Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed)
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
Appeal information
Probation/parole status and violations

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Orders of protection/restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DWI/DUI history
Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
Pending charges
Probation/parole status reports

The Erie County Clerk's Office maintains court records containing case filings, while the Erie County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and warrant data.

Criminal records in Erie County are subject to New York's record-keeping standards established under Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10, which mandates specific information collection and retention practices for law enforcement agencies.

How Long Does Erie County Keep Criminal Records?

Erie County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the New York State Archives under the authority of Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 57.25. These schedules specify minimum retention periods for various categories of criminal justice records.

The retention periods for key criminal record components are as follows:

Arrest Records: Maintained permanently by the Erie County Sheriff's Office.
Booking Information: Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the arrest date.
Criminal Case Files (Felonies): Maintained permanently by the Erie County Clerk's Office.
Criminal Case Files (Misdemeanors): Retained for a minimum of 25 years after case disposition.
Criminal Case Files (Violations): Retained for a minimum of 6 years after case disposition.
Warrant Records: Active warrants remain in effect until executed or recalled by the court; records of executed warrants are maintained for 10 years.
Incarceration Records: Retained for a minimum of 10 years after release from custody.
Probation Records: Maintained for a minimum of 10 years after discharge from supervision.

Certain records may be subject to sealing or expungement under specific circumstances:

Records sealed under Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59 (sealing of certain convictions after 10 years)
Records sealed under the Clean Slate Act (effective November 2024)
Juvenile records sealed under Family Court Act provisions
Records expunged under marijuana legalization provisions

While records may be sealed from public view, they are typically retained by criminal justice agencies for internal use as authorized by law. Sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts under specific circumstances defined by statute.

The Erie County Clerk's Office and Sheriff's Office maintain records in accordance with these retention schedules, though technological limitations may affect the accessibility of older records, particularly those that have not been digitized.

Lookup Criminal Records in Erie County

Erie County Sheriff's Office warrant database

Erie County Sheriff's Office inmate information

Erie County Clerk's Online Public Record Search

Erie County Court Records and E-Filing System

Erie County Sheriff's Office fingerprinting and criminal history services