Albany County Criminal Records
What Is Albany County Criminal Records
Albany County criminal records are official documents created and maintained by various law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities that document an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Albany County, New York. These records serve as the official history of arrests, charges, court proceedings, and case dispositions. Pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 86, criminal records are classified as public records subject to specific disclosure regulations.
Criminal records in Albany County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Albany County Sheriff's Office or Albany Police Department
- Conviction Records: Official records of guilty pleas or verdicts in criminal cases
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
- Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration
- Adult Records: Criminal records for individuals 18 years or older, generally accessible to the public
- Juvenile Records: Records for individuals under 18, which are typically sealed under New York Family Court Act § 375.1
- Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest issued by courts
- Historical Records: Past criminal justice interactions, including dismissed cases
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Albany County, including:
Albany County Sheriff's Office
16 Eagle Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5400
Albany County Sheriff's Office
Albany County District Attorney's Office
Albany County Judicial Center
6 Lodge Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5460
Albany County District Attorney
Albany County Clerk's Office
Albany County Courthouse
16 Eagle Street, Room 128
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5100
Albany County Clerk
Comprehensive criminal records typically include information about charges filed, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, sentencing details, and probation or parole status. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services serves as the central repository for criminal history information statewide, as established under New York Executive Law § 837.
Are Criminal Records Public In Albany County
Criminal records in Albany County are generally considered public information in accordance with the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified under Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, should be accessible to the public to promote transparency and accountability in government operations.
The law specifically states: "The legislature hereby finds that a free society is maintained when government is responsive and responsible to the public, and when the public is aware of governmental actions... The people's right to know the process of governmental decision-making and to review the documents and statistics leading to determinations is basic to our society."
However, public access to criminal records in Albany County is subject to important limitations and exceptions:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations are exempt from disclosure under FOIL § 87(2)(e)
- Sealed Records: Cases that have been officially sealed by court order, including certain dismissed cases and cases adjudicated under youthful offender provisions
- Juvenile Records: Records involving individuals under 18 years of age are generally confidential pursuant to Family Court Act § 375.1
- Certain Personal Information: Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy if disclosed
The following types of criminal records are typically available to the public:
- Adult conviction records
- Court proceedings and calendars
- Inmate custody status
- Sex offender registry information
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records must submit requests to the appropriate agency. The Albany County Clerk's Office maintains court records, while the Albany County Sheriff's Office and Albany Police Department maintain arrest and booking records. Each agency has established procedures for requesting records in compliance with FOIL requirements.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Albany County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Albany County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The appropriate approach depends on the specific type of record sought and its custodian agency. The following procedures are currently in effect for accessing various criminal records:
For Court Records:
- Visit the Albany County Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM)
- Complete a Records Access Request Form
- Provide specific information about the case, including:
- Full name of the individual
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date of the case
- Present valid photo identification
- Pay applicable fees for copies ($0.25 per page for standard copies)
Albany County Clerk's Office
Albany County Courthouse
16 Eagle Street, Room 128
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5100
Albany County Clerk
For Police Reports and Arrest Records:
- Submit a FOIL request to the Records Access Officer at the appropriate law enforcement agency
- Include specific details about the incident:
- Date, time, and location
- Names of individuals involved
- Police report number (if known)
- Allow up to five business days for an acknowledgment of the request
- Pay applicable fees for document reproduction
Albany Police Department
165 Henry Johnson Boulevard
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 438-4000
Albany Police Department
For Criminal History Background Checks:
- Visit the New York State Office of Court Administration website
- Complete the Criminal History Record Search application
- Submit the form with the required $95.00 fee per name searched
- Receive results by mail within 10-15 business days
NYS Office of Court Administration
25 Beaver Street
New York, NY 10004
(212) 428-2810
NYS Office of Court Administration
For Incarceration Records:
- Access the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Inmate Lookup
- Enter the individual's name or Department Identification Number (DIN)
- Review publicly available information about current inmates
Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 89(3), agencies must respond to requests within five business days. Complex requests may require additional time, but the agency must provide a written explanation and an approximate date when the request will be granted or denied.
How To Find Criminal Records in Albany County Online?
Albany County residents and interested parties can access various criminal records through several online portals maintained by county and state agencies. These digital resources provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of information available online may be more limited than records obtained directly from custodian agencies.
The primary online resources for criminal records in Albany County include:
WebCrims - New York State Unified Court System
The WebCrims database provides public access to pending and closed criminal cases in Albany County courts.
- Access the WebCrims portal
- No registration is required for basic searches
- Search by defendant name, case number, or attorney
- Information includes: case status, charges, court appearances, and disposition
- Updated daily with new case information
- Does not include sealed cases or juvenile proceedings
Albany County Inmate Lookup
The Albany County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of current inmates.
- Visit the Albany County Correctional Facility Inmate Search
- Search by inmate name or booking number
- Information includes: booking date, charges, bail amount, and scheduled release date
- Updated in real-time as individuals are booked or released
- Limited to current inmates only; historical records require a formal request
New York State Sex Offender Registry
The Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains a searchable database of registered sex offenders.
- Access the Sex Offender Registry
- Search by name, county, or zip code
- Information includes: offender photo, address, conviction details, and risk level
- Updated regularly as offenders register or change addresses
- Complies with Correction Law § 168 requirements
New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
The DOCCS maintains a database of individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities.
- Visit the Inmate Lookup service
- Search by name or Department Identification Number (DIN)
- Information includes: current facility, earliest release date, and conviction details
- Updated regularly with custody status changes
- Limited to current inmates; historical records require a formal request
E-Courts - New York State Unified Court System
The E-Courts system provides case information for civil and criminal matters.
- Access the E-Courts portal
- Registration required for some features
- Search by case index number, party name, or attorney
- Information includes: case type, filing date, appearances, and decisions
- Updated daily with new case information
Users should note that online records may not contain complete case information, and certain sensitive details are often redacted. For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may need to submit formal requests to the appropriate agencies or visit in person.
Can You Search Albany County Criminal Records for Free?
Albany County residents and members of the public have several options for accessing criminal records without payment, in accordance with New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Under Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii), agencies may charge fees for copies of records, but inspection of records in person is generally available at no cost.
The following free resources are available for criminal record searches in Albany County:
In-Person Inspection at Government Offices
-
Albany County Clerk's Office
Albany County Courthouse
16 Eagle Street, Room 128
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5100
Albany County Clerk
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM- Public terminals available for searching court records
- Staff assistance available for locating specific cases
- No fee for viewing records; copying fees apply ($0.25 per page)
-
Albany City Court
1 Morton Avenue
Albany, NY 12202
(518) 453-4640
Albany City Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM- Public access terminals available for case searches
- Criminal case information available for review
- No fee for viewing public court calendars and basic case information
Free Online Resources
-
WebCrims - New York State Unified Court System
The WebCrims portal provides free access to:- Basic case information for criminal matters
- Court appearance dates
- Case status and disposition
- No registration or fees required for basic searches
-
Albany County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup
The Albany County Correctional Facility Inmate Search offers:- Current inmate information
- Booking details and charges
- Scheduled release dates
- Free access without registration
-
New York State Sex Offender Registry
The Sex Offender Registry provides:- Information on registered sex offenders in Albany County
- Risk level assessments
- Address information (for Level 2 and 3 offenders)
- Free public access as mandated by Correction Law § 168-q
While these resources provide free access to basic criminal record information, users should be aware of certain limitations:
- Complete criminal history reports from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services require payment of statutory fees
- Certified copies of court documents typically involve copying fees
- Background check services provided by third-party vendors generally charge fees
- Some detailed case documents may only be available through formal FOIL requests with associated copying costs
Pursuant to FOIL regulations, agencies must provide the first two hours of search time without charge, but may assess fees for extensive searches requiring significant staff time. Additionally, while inspection is free, agencies may charge reasonable fees for document reproduction based on actual costs.
What's Included in a Albany County Criminal Record?
Albany County criminal records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are maintained in accordance with New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10, which establishes requirements for fingerprinting and processing upon arrest. A complete criminal record typically contains the following categories of information:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency (Albany Police Department, Albany County Sheriff, etc.)
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at arrest with corresponding penal code citations
- Bail or bond amount set
- Pre-trial detention location
- Arresting officer information
Court Case Information:
- Court case/docket number
- Court of jurisdiction (Albany City Court, Albany County Court, etc.)
- Case filing date
- Formal charges filed by prosecutor
- Classification of charges (felony class A-E or misdemeanor class A-B)
- Attorney information (public defender or private counsel)
- Judge assigned to the case
- Pre-trial motions and rulings
- Plea information
Disposition and Sentencing:
- Final verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length and facility
- Probation terms and conditions
- Fines, restitution, and court costs
- Community service requirements
- Treatment program mandates
- Post-conviction appeals and outcomes
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants or bench warrants
- Orders of protection or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DWI/DUI history and related license sanctions
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Probation or parole status reports
Criminal records in Albany County are maintained in various databases depending on the type of information and custodian agency. The Albany County Clerk's Office maintains court records, while the Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain arrest and booking records. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services serves as the central repository for criminal history information statewide.
Access to certain elements of criminal records may be restricted based on confidentiality laws, particularly for sealed cases, juvenile records, and ongoing investigations. Records that have been officially sealed pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59 are generally not included in publicly available criminal records.
How Long Does Albany County Keep Criminal Records?
Albany 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 mandate minimum retention periods for various types of criminal justice records, though many records are retained permanently due to their historical and legal significance.
The following retention periods apply to common criminal record documents in Albany County:
Arrest Records and Police Reports
- Felony arrests: Minimum 25 years after case closure
- Misdemeanor arrests: Minimum 10 years after case closure
- Violation/infraction arrests: Minimum 5 years after case closure
- Unfounded allegations or dismissed charges: Minimum 5 years
- Arrest photographs (mugshots): Retained until individual's death or 90 years after case closure
- Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention for felonies; 10 years for misdemeanors
Court Records
- Felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: 25 years after case disposition
- Violation/infraction case files: 6 years after case disposition
- Court dockets and indices: Permanent retention
- Grand jury records: Permanent retention (with restricted access)
- Transcripts of proceedings: Permanent retention for felonies; 6 years for other cases
Correctional Facility Records
- Inmate case files: 10 years after discharge or maximum expiration date
- Inmate medical records: 7 years after discharge
- Jail admission/discharge records: Permanent retention
- Visitor logs: 3 years
Probation and Parole Records
- Adult probation case files: 10 years after discharge or maximum expiration date
- Juvenile probation records: Until individual reaches age 21, then sealed
- Pre-sentence investigation reports: 10 years after completion
Sex Offender Registry Information
- Level 1 (low risk) offenders: Minimum 20 years
- Level 2 and 3 (moderate and high risk) offenders: Lifetime registration
- Deceased offenders: Records maintained for 5 years after death
It is important to note that while these retention schedules establish minimum requirements, many records are maintained for longer periods or permanently, particularly those with historical significance or those maintained in electronic formats. Additionally, certain records may be eligible for sealing or expungement under specific circumstances as provided by Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59, which allows for sealing of certain criminal convictions after a 10-year waiting period.
The New York State Office of Court Administration maintains a permanent electronic database of criminal history information, which may contain records beyond the retention periods required for physical documents. This centralized system ensures that criminal history information remains accessible to authorized agencies even after local record destruction.