Albany County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Albany County
Arrest records in Albany County are considered public records under New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest records, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The New York State Committee on Open Government oversees the implementation of FOIL and provides advisory opinions regarding public access to government records.
Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 87, government agencies must make all records available for public inspection and copying, except those records that fall under specific exemptions. While arrest records are generally public, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or other legally protected interests as outlined in § 87(2).
It is important to distinguish between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement and charged with an offense, while a conviction record indicates that the individual was found guilty of the offense through legal proceedings. Under New York law, both types of records are generally accessible to the public, though with different levels of disclosure.
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains the official repository of criminal history record information for the state, including Albany County. However, access to complete criminal history information is restricted to authorized agencies and individuals with specific statutory authority.
What's in Albany County Arrest Records
Albany County arrest records contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Residential address
- Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, etc.)
- Fingerprints
- Photograph (mugshot)
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Circumstances leading to arrest
- Use of force information (if applicable)
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statutory citations
- Offense classification (felony, misdemeanor, violation)
- Offense description
- Offense date and time
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing court
- Date issued
- Warrant type
Booking Information:
- Booking date and time
- Booking facility
- Booking number
- Processing officer
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bail amount
- Bond type
- Bond conditions
- Release status
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Case/docket number
- Scheduled court appearances
- Judge assigned
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility of incarceration (if applicable)
- Expected release date (if applicable)
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history
- Known aliases
- Immigration status
- Property inventory
- Medical screening information (with privacy restrictions)
- Emergency contact information
Pursuant to New York Correction Law § 168, certain additional information may be included for individuals required to register as sex offenders.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Albany County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Albany County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The primary methods for accessing arrest records are as follows:
- Submit a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request to the appropriate law enforcement agency:
Albany County Sheriff's Office
Albany County Courthouse
16 Eagle Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5400
Albany County Sheriff's Office
Albany Police Department
165 Henry Johnson Boulevard
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 438-4000
Albany Police Department
- Request records directly from the Albany County Clerk's Office:
Albany County Clerk's Office
Albany County Courthouse, Room 128
16 Eagle Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5100
Albany County Clerk
- Contact the New York State Office of Court Administration for court records related to arrests:
New York State Unified Court System
Albany County Courthouse
16 Eagle Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 285-8989
New York State Unified Court System
When submitting a FOIL request, requestors should:
- Provide specific information about the record sought (name of arrestee, date of arrest, case number if known)
- Include contact information for response
- Specify preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files)
- Be prepared to pay reasonable fees for document reproduction as permitted under Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii)
Agencies must respond to FOIL requests within five business days, either providing the records, denying access with explanation, or acknowledging receipt with an approximate date when the request will be granted or denied.
How To Find Albany County Arrest Records Online
Albany County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records online. The following methods are currently available for electronic access to arrest information:
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The Albany County Inmate Lookup System allows users to search for individuals currently in custody at the Albany County Correctional Facility. This database includes basic arrest information and current custody status.
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The New York State WebCrims system provides access to pending criminal cases in Albany County. Users can search by defendant name or case number to retrieve information about charges, court appearances, and case status.
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The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Inmate Lookup provides information about individuals sentenced to state prison, including those from Albany County.
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The Albany Police Department's Public Records Portal allows for electronic submission of FOIL requests for arrest records and other police documents.
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The New York State Sex Offender Registry provides information about registered sex offenders, including those arrested and convicted in Albany County.
When searching online databases, users should:
- Enter complete and accurate information
- Be aware that some databases may have a delay in updating information
- Understand that certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records
- Verify information through official channels before making decisions based on online record searches
Online access to arrest records is governed by the same legal framework as physical records, including Public Officers Law Article 6 and applicable privacy protections.
How To Search Albany County Arrest Records for Free?
Albany County residents and other interested parties may access arrest records without incurring fees through several public resources. The following methods provide cost-free access to arrest information:
- Visit the public access terminals at the Albany County Clerk's Office:
Albany County Clerk's Office
Albany County Courthouse, Room 128
16 Eagle Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5100
Albany County Clerk
Public terminals are available during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM) and provide access to court records related to arrests and criminal cases.
- Utilize the Albany County Public Library's legal research resources:
Albany Public Library - Main Branch
161 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 427-4300
Albany Public Library
The library provides free access to legal databases and public records resources.
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Access the New York State WebCrims system, which is available without charge and provides information on pending criminal cases.
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Review the Albany County Sheriff's Office Blotter, which provides recent arrest information at no cost.
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Submit a FOIL request electronically through the Albany Police Department's Records Access Portal. While there is no fee for submitting the request, reproduction fees may apply if physical copies are requested.
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Attend public court proceedings at the Albany County Courthouse, where arrest information is often discussed during arraignments and other hearings.
Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii), agencies may charge reasonable fees for reproduction of records but not for the search or inspection of records. Electronic records provided via email or viewed on public terminals are typically available without charge.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Albany County
New York State law provides specific mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of arrest records under certain circumstances. It is important to distinguish between record sealing (restricting public access) and expungement (complete removal from official records).
Under New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records of arrests that did not result in convictions (such as dismissals, acquittals, or declined prosecutions) are eligible for sealing. When a case is sealed pursuant to this statute, the arrest record is not physically destroyed but is removed from public access and can only be viewed by specific agencies under limited circumstances.
For convictions, New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59 allows for the sealing of certain criminal convictions after a 10-year waiting period from the date of conviction or release from incarceration, whichever is later. This provision excludes sex offenses, violent felonies, and certain other serious crimes.
The process for sealing records in Albany County typically involves:
- Determining eligibility under applicable statutes
- Filing a motion with the court that handled the case
- Attending a hearing if required by the court
- Receiving a court order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records
For juvenile records, Family Court Act § 375.1 provides a separate mechanism for sealing records of juvenile delinquency proceedings.
Individuals seeking to seal records should contact:
Albany County District Attorney's Office
Albany County Judicial Center
6 Lodge Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5460
Albany County District Attorney
Legal assistance for record sealing may be available through:
The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York
95 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 462-6765
Legal Aid Society
It is important to note that even sealed records may remain accessible to certain government agencies, particularly law enforcement and the courts, for specific purposes authorized by law.
What Happens After Arrest in Albany County?
Following an arrest in Albany County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by New York State law. This process typically proceeds through the following stages:
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Booking and Processing: Upon arrest, individuals are transported to a police station or the Albany County Correctional Facility for booking. This process includes fingerprinting, photographing, collecting personal information, and recording the alleged offense.
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Arraignment: Within 24 hours of arrest (in most cases), the arrestee appears before a judge for arraignment. During this initial court appearance, the judge:
- Informs the defendant of the charges
- Advises the defendant of their rights
- Makes a bail determination
- Assigns counsel if the defendant cannot afford an attorney
- Sets a date for the next court appearance
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Bail Determination: Pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 510.10, the judge decides whether to:
- Release the defendant on their own recognizance
- Set bail conditions
- Order pretrial detention
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Preliminary Hearing: For felony cases where the defendant has not been indicted, a preliminary hearing may be held within 144 hours of arrest (if the defendant is in custody) to determine if sufficient evidence exists to proceed with the case.
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Grand Jury Proceedings: For felony cases, the Albany County District Attorney's Office presents evidence to a grand jury, which determines whether sufficient evidence exists to issue an indictment.
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Indictment and Arraignment on Indictment: If indicted, the defendant is arraigned again on the indictment in Albany County Supreme Court.
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Discovery and Pretrial Motions: The prosecution and defense exchange evidence and may file various motions addressing issues such as the admissibility of evidence.
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Plea Negotiations: The prosecution and defense may negotiate a plea agreement to resolve the case without trial.
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Trial: If no plea agreement is reached, the case proceeds to trial, either before a judge (bench trial) or jury.
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Sentencing: If convicted, the defendant appears for sentencing, where the judge imposes penalties according to New York State sentencing guidelines.
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Appeals: Following conviction, defendants have the right to appeal to the Appellate Division, Third Department, which serves Albany County.
Throughout this process, cases may be handled by the following courts:
Albany City Court (for misdemeanors and initial felony proceedings)
1 Morton Avenue
Albany, NY 12202
(518) 453-4640
Albany City Court
Albany County Supreme Court (for felony cases)
Albany County Courthouse
16 Eagle Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 285-8989
Albany County Supreme Court
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Albany County?
Arrest records in Albany County are maintained according to retention schedules established by the New York State Archives under the authority of Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 57.25. These schedules mandate minimum retention periods for various types of government records, including those related to arrests and criminal proceedings.
Under the current Records Retention and Disposition Schedule LGS-1, law enforcement agencies in Albany County must retain arrest records for the following minimum periods:
- Arrest reports and related records: Permanent retention for felonies; 5 years after case closure for misdemeanors
- Fingerprint cards: 5 years after death of individual or 90 years after date of creation, whichever is shorter
- Booking information: 5 years
- Warrant files: 5 years after execution or expiration of warrant
- Investigation case files: Permanent for felonies; 5 years after case closure for misdemeanors
Different agencies within Albany County maintain separate record systems with varying retention requirements:
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The Albany Police Department maintains arrest records according to departmental policies and state retention schedules.
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The Albany County Sheriff's Office retains arrest records for periods specified in the LGS-1 schedule.
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The Albany County Clerk's Office maintains court records related to criminal cases, with many records retained permanently.
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The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains a central repository of criminal history information indefinitely, subject to sealing or expungement orders.
Records retention serves several important public purposes:
- Preserves evidence for potential future legal proceedings
- Maintains accountability of law enforcement agencies
- Provides statistical data for crime analysis and policy development
- Ensures historical documentation of law enforcement activities
It is important to note that even after the minimum retention period has expired, agencies may continue to maintain records indefinitely, particularly for serious offenses or cases of historical significance.
How to Find Mugshots in Albany County
Mugshots, the photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest, are maintained by law enforcement agencies in Albany County as part of the official arrest record. Access to these images is governed by New York's Freedom of Information Law and agency policies.
What Mugshots Are
Mugshots typically consist of front-facing and profile photographs of arrested individuals, taken to document their appearance at the time of booking. These photographs serve both administrative and investigative purposes, allowing for visual identification of individuals in custody.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
In Albany County, mugshots are primarily maintained by:
Albany County Sheriff's Office
Albany County Correctional Facility
840 Albany Shaker Road
Albany, NY 12211
(518) 869-2600
Albany County Sheriff's Office
Albany Police Department
165 Henry Johnson Boulevard
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 438-4000
Albany Police Department
Finding Mugshots
To obtain mugshots from Albany County law enforcement agencies, individuals may:
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Submit a FOIL request specifically requesting the booking photograph. Requests should include:
- Full name of the individual
- Date of arrest (if known)
- Case or booking number (if known)
- Requestor's contact information
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Contact the Records Division of the arresting agency directly:
Albany Police Department Records Division
165 Henry Johnson Boulevard
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 462-8756
Albany Police Records
Can Mugshots Be Found Online
Currently, Albany County law enforcement agencies do not maintain public-facing online databases of mugshots. While some third-party websites may publish mugshots obtained through public records requests, these are not official government resources and may contain outdated or inaccurate information.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
The most reliable method for obtaining official mugshots is through a formal FOIL request to the appropriate agency. Responses to such requests typically take 5-20 business days, depending on the complexity of the request and the agency's workload.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Access to mugshots may be restricted under certain circumstances, including:
- Cases involving juveniles
- Sealed records pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 or § 160.59
- Ongoing investigations where release would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
- Cases where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Agencies may also redact certain information from mugshots before release, such as background elements that might reveal security features of detention facilities.