Find Criminal Records in Rochester

Criminal records in Rochester are held by Monroe County courts, the Monroe County Clerk, and Rochester City Court. Rochester is the county seat of Monroe County and the third largest city in New York with about 211,000 residents. The city sits in the 7th Judicial District in the Finger Lakes region of western New York. Felony criminal records go through Monroe County Court at the Hall of Justice, 99 Exchange Boulevard. Rochester City Court at 1 West Main Street handles misdemeanors and violations within city limits. You can search Rochester criminal records through state online tools, the Monroe County Clerk, or by visiting the courts in person.

Monroe County Courts and Rochester Criminal Records

Monroe County manages all felony criminal records for Rochester. The Monroe County Court sits at the Hall of Justice, 99 Exchange Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14614. This is where felony cases are tried. The Monroe County Clerk at 39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614 keeps the court files. Call the clerk at (585) 753-1600 for records questions.

Rochester City Court Criminal Part is at 1 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614. The court handles misdemeanors and violations within Rochester city limits. The phone number is (585) 428-2444. City court and county court maintain their own sets of criminal records. A case that starts as a misdemeanor in city court can get moved up to county court if felony charges are added.

The Rochester Police Department maintains arrest records and incident reports separate from court records. For police files, submit a FOIL request to the RPD Records Division. The department has its own Records Access Officer. Police records and court records overlap in content but sit in different offices.

How to Search Rochester Criminal Records Online

The free WebCrims tool shows active criminal cases in Monroe County courts and Rochester City Court. Search by name or case number. It covers the 7th Judicial District. Only active cases appear. Closed and sealed matters are not shown.

Use the eCourts portal for broader access. It pulls records from multiple court levels in Monroe County. It is free. Search by name, case number, or attorney. Not all older Rochester criminal records are in the system.

The City of Rochester website provides local government information and links to public safety resources.

The Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name and date of birth. It pulls from every court in all 62 counties. Results come back the next business day. Sealed records do not show. This is the most thorough option for checking Rochester criminal records across the whole state.

DCJS Criminal History

The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps fingerprint-based records. These are not court records. DCJS data tracks arrests and outcomes tied to fingerprints. These files are not public. You cannot request someone else's record.

Get your own DCJS record through the Record Review program. Submit fingerprints at an approved vendor. Cost is about $77.75 total. Results take 7 to 10 business days. Rochester has several fingerprinting sites in the area. This is the only way to get your official rap sheet.

Criminal Record Sealing in Rochester

Rochester criminal records follow the same sealing rules as the rest of New York. Dismissed cases seal on their own under CPL 160.50. No one has to file anything. The court and police close their files. The case drops from public view.

Under CPL 160.59, a person can apply to seal up to two convictions after 10 years. One can be a felony. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, and violent felonies are excluded. Monroe County Court handles these motions for Rochester felony cases. Youthful offender adjudications stay confidential under CPL 720.35.

The Clean Slate Act started 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 Monroe County records, including Rochester cases.

Fees for Criminal Records

The Monroe County Clerk charges state-set fees for record lookups and copies. You can inspect records in person for free at the clerk's office. Copies and certified documents cost extra.

• CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
• DCJS record review: about $77.75
• County clerk name search: $5.00 per name
• Copy fees: $0.25 to $0.65 per page
• Certified copies: $5.00 to $10.00

WebCrims and eCourts are free to use. They show case info but do not produce certified copies. For a Certificate of Disposition from Rochester City Court or Monroe County Court, go through the clerk of the court that handled the case.

Public Access to Records

Most criminal records in Rochester are public. Judiciary Law 255 requires court clerks to search records and provide copies. You do not need to be a party to the case. Sealed matters, juvenile cases, and grand jury proceedings are not available.

The Rochester Police Department has also put some data online through its open data portal. This is a useful resource for checking public safety information. For full arrest records or incident reports, you still need to submit a FOIL request to the department's Records Access Officer.

Nearby Cities

Rochester is in western New York in Monroe County. These nearby cities and towns have their own criminal records pages with local details.

• Greece - In Monroe County to the northwest
• Irondequoit - In Monroe County to the northeast
• Buffalo - In Erie County to the west
• Syracuse - In Onondaga County to the east