Rockland County, New York Arrest Records
Rockland County arrest records are official files regarding an arrest within the county. Such records are created after law enforcement agencies arrest and book suspected offenders. Arrest records may reveal the arrestee’s names, physical description, charges, booking number, and bond amount.
The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments create, maintain, and disclose copies of arrest records in accordance with New York state laws. For example, the New York Freedom of Information Law determines public access to government records. The Executive Law Article 35 specifically governs public access to criminal history records, which also include arrest information.
New York state laws allow the public to access arrest records for the following reasons:
- To promote transparency in the conduct of criminal justice agencies.
- To provide information about recent arrests and incarceration within the local community.
- To notify the community of potential threats to their safety.
Are Arrest Records Public Information in Rockland, New York?
Yes, the public can access most arrest information generated in Rockland County, New York. The state laws allow both residents and non-residents to inspect and obtain copies of arrest records from government agencies. In turn, these agencies must provide resources and tools via which the public can obtain arrest records. New York laws restrict public access to specific arrest information. Exempt records typically contain sensitive information that may endanger the lives of concerned parties.
What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?
In Rockland County, public arrest records may reveal the following information:
- Arrestee’s name, physical description, address, and birthdate.
- Arrest charges and crime description.
- Arrest date and location.
- Booking number and date.
- Name of the arresting agency.
- Bond or bail amount.
- Holding facility.
Public arrest records do not include information that is exempt under the state laws. For instance, the laws prevent the public from accessing the personal information of undercover officers and crime victims. Other non-public arrest information includes the following:
- Arrest information that is sealed and expunged under court orders.
- Arrest records that may interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation.
- Information about the juvenile arrestee.
Rockland County, New York Arrest Search
Record seekers may search arrest records through inmate databases maintained by state and federal agencies. At the state level, the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision hosts an online search for inmates serving time in state prisons. The database may reveal the arrestee’s name, charges, mugshot, booking number, and bond amount. To view records on the platform, record seekers must provide the inmate’s name, birth year, DIN number, or NYSID number.
In contrast, the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Inmate Locator reveals information about inmates serving time in federal prisons. Record seekers may view records on the platform by providing the inmate’s name or prison ID number.
Record seekers may search arrest records in criminal history record databases. The New York Unified Court System allows name-based searches for criminal history records. To view records on the platform, record seekers must create an account and provide relevant search details. An alternative option is to complete an online request form via mail to the agency at this location:
NYS Office of Court Administration
Division of Technology and Court Research
Criminal History Record Search Unit
25 Beaver Street (Room 940)
New York, NY 10004
Email: CHRS@nycourts.gov.
Record seekers may also look up arrest information in court record search databases. For example, the New York eCourt platform may reveal arrest information included in court case files. Record seekers may search court records by using any of these databases:
Rockland County Inmate Locator
There is no online jail roster or inmate locator for looking up inmate information in Rockland County, New York. However, record seekers may find arrest records by submitting a request to the county sheriff’s office or other local police departments. To obtain records from the sheriff’s office, record seekers must submit a request to this address:
55 New Hempstead Road
New City, NY 10956
Phone: (845) 638-5400
Active Warrant Search in Rockland County
In Rockland County, arrest warrants are court documents that authorize the arrest of defendants. Court magistrates or judges may issue arrest warrants after receiving a sworn statement or complaint from law enforcement officers. The statement must reveal sufficient evidence that the offender violated the state laws.
Arrest warrants issued in Rockland County must include the following information:
- Defendant’s name and physical features, such as height, ethnicity, gender, and hair color.
- Alleged offense.
- Court document number.
- Statement that the offender must be apprehended and brought before the court.
- Name and signature of the court official that issued the warrant.
To find active warrants in Rockland County, record seekers must submit a request to the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office at this address:
55 New Hempstead Road
New City, NY 10956
The request must include relevant search details, such as the defendant’s name and document number.
Alternatively, record seekers may look up warrant information in court case files. The New York Unified Court platform maintain multiple searchable databases that may include information on active warrants. Record seekers may find warrant information by providing relevant information, such as the case party names, number, and year. In contrast, record seekers may obtain this information in-person by visiting the Rockland County Clerk’s Office at this address:
Rockland County Courthouse
1 South Main Street
Suite 100
New City, NY 10956-3549
How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Rockland County
Record seekers may freely search arrest information in government-owned search platforms. For example, the New York Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections maintains a free inmate search platform. The platform also reveals arrest details, such as the arrest charges, booking number, and bond amount. Record seekers may view arrest records on the platform by entering the inmate’s name, DIN number, or NYSID number.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Inmate Locator also allows free access to arrest records generated in Rockland County. Record seekers must enter the inmate’s name or prison ID number to locate records on the platform.
In contrast, the New York Unified Court System maintains multiple search platforms that may reveal arrest records. Record seekers may view records on these databases by entering relevant search information, such as the case number, party name, or filing year.
Note: Free online search platforms may not include older arrest records and confidential information. For example, personal identities of crime victims are not accessible on such platforms. Record seekers may only obtain such information by making a request to criminal justice agencies, such as the local police departments and county courts.
Rockland County Arrest Report
Rockland County arrest reports provide detailed narration of an arrest event. Such records are generally written from an arresting officer’s perspective and may include the following details:
- The officer’s observation about the arrest event and circumstances that led to the arrest.
- The offender’s conduct during the arrest.
- Statements from crime victims and witnesses.
- Evidence collected at the crime scene.
Arrest reports are crucial documents in various legal processes, such as evidence in court cases and traffic-related issues. For example, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires arrest reports to determine the penalty for traffic-related offenses.
Record seekers may primarily find arrest reports in the custody of the arresting agency and county courts. In contrast, arrest records contain basic information about arrest events. Such records also cover post-arrest information, such as booking number, mugshot, charges, and bond amount. Unlike arrest reports, record seekers may obtain arrest records in the custody of criminal justice agencies.
How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Rockland County
In Rockland County, concerned parties may seal arrest records by filing a petition with a court of competent jurisdiction. Petitioners are considered eligible for this process if they fulfill the following requirements:
- The charges were dismissed or dropped.
- The court passed a not-guilty verdict.
- The prosecutor refused to proceed with the case.
If the arrest led to a conviction, petitioners are required to wait for specific timeframes after the conviction. For example, persons convicted of misdemeanors or felonies must wait for 3 years and 6 years after conviction, respectively.
Petitioners may seal arrest records by following these steps:
- Fill out a Request for Criminal Disposition Record form.
- Complete and notarize an Application to Seal form.
- Make copies of the completed forms and submit them to the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office at this address:
Rockland County District Attorney's Office
1 South Main Street
Suite 500
New City, NY 10956
Phone: (845) 638-5001
- Fill and notarize the Affidavit of Service form.
- Make copies of the file and submit them to a court of competent jurisdiction.
Upon receiving the form, the court may schedule a hearing to review the petition. The court may grant the petition and issue an order to seal the record.
How Do You Remove Rockland County Arrest Records From the Internet?
Concerned parties must first obtain a court order before they can remove arrest records from the internet. The court clerk’s office may send copies of the court order to relevant criminal justice agencies.
To remove arrest records from third-party websites, petitioners must submit a copy of the court order along with valid IDs. Some third-party websites have their contact information via “Contact Us” or “About Us” pages.