Buffalo Criminal Records

Criminal records in Buffalo are managed by Erie County courts, the Erie County Clerk, and Buffalo City Court. Buffalo is the county seat of Erie County and the second largest city in New York State with about 278,000 residents. The city sits in the 8th Judicial District. Felony criminal records go through Erie County Court at 25 Delaware Avenue. Buffalo City Court at 50 Delaware Avenue handles misdemeanors and violations within city limits. The Erie County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street stores court files for County Court and Supreme Court cases. You can search Buffalo criminal records through state online tools, the county clerk's office, or by going to the courthouse.

Where to Find Buffalo Criminal Records

Erie County handles all felony criminal records for Buffalo. The Erie County Court is at 25 Delaware Avenue, Ground Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202. This is where felony cases are tried. The Erie County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 keeps the court files. Call the clerk at (716) 858-8866 for help finding records.

Buffalo City Court Criminal Part is at 50 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202. This court handles misdemeanors and violations that happen within Buffalo city limits. The phone number is (716) 845-2600. City Court criminal records are separate from County Court records, though both are part of the same state court system. Many people confuse the two when looking for criminal records in Buffalo.

For closed criminal records in Erie County, you need to visit the Actions and Proceedings Office of the Erie County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street. Closed records require a special request process. You may need to provide the case number or specific party names. The clerk's staff can help you figure out what they have on file. Copy fees for the first two pages run $1.30, with extra pages at $0.65 each.

Searching Buffalo Criminal Records Online

WebCrims covers Buffalo City Court and Erie County courts. It is free. Search by name or case number. The tool shows active and pending cases. Closed and sealed matters do not show up. Buffalo is one of the courts with strong WebCrims coverage.

The eCourts portal provides broader access to Erie County records. Search by name, case number, or attorney. The system is free. Coverage spans multiple court types and years. Some older Buffalo criminal records may not be in the database.

The City of Buffalo website provides local government information and links to city court resources.

The Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name. It covers all 62 counties. Results come back the next business day. This catches records from Erie County and anywhere else in the state. Sealed records do not appear.

DCJS and Fingerprint Records

The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps fingerprint-based criminal histories. These records are not the same as court records. They are not public. You cannot request someone else's DCJS file under any circumstances.

Get your own record through the Record Review program. Submit fingerprints at an approved vendor. The cost is about $77.75. Results take 7 to 10 business days. Buffalo has several fingerprinting locations in the area. This is the only way to get an official rap sheet in New York.

Criminal Record Sealing in Buffalo

Buffalo criminal records follow the same sealing rules as the rest of New York. Dismissed cases seal on their own under CPL 160.50. No motion needed. The court and police close their files. The person can legally deny the arrest.

For convictions, CPL 160.59 allows sealing up to two convictions after 10 years. Only one can be a felony. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, and violent felonies are excluded. Erie County Court handles these motions for Buffalo felony cases. Youthful offender cases stay confidential under CPL 720.35.

The Clean Slate Act took effect November 16, 2024. Misdemeanor convictions seal 3 years after sentencing or release. Felonies seal after 8 years. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, violent felonies, and homicides do not qualify. DCJS handles automatic sealing for all Erie County records, including Buffalo cases.

Fees for Criminal Records

Erie County has its own fee schedule for record copies. The costs are set by state law. In-person inspection of records is free at the clerk's office.

• CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
• Erie County copies (first 2 pages): $1.30
• Additional pages: $0.65 each
• Certified copies (first 4 pages): $5.00
• DCJS record review: about $77.75

WebCrims and eCourts are free. For a Certificate of Disposition from Buffalo City Court or Erie County Court, contact the clerk at the court where the case was handled. Each court has its own process and turnaround time.

Sex Offender Registry

The Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders in Erie County by name or zip code. It is free. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders are shown. Call 1-800-262-3257 for Level 1 offender data. The DOCCS inmate lookup covers people in state prison or on parole from Buffalo.

Nearby Cities

Buffalo is in western New York. Several nearby towns in Erie County and surrounding areas have their own criminal records pages. These are the closest qualifying cities.

• Cheektowaga - Also in Erie County, just east of Buffalo
• Amherst - In Erie County to the north
• Hamburg - In Erie County to the south
• Tonawanda - In Erie County, north of the city