Chenango County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Chenango County are maintained by the County Court, the County Clerk, and the Norwich City Court. Chenango County is a rural county in central New York and sits within the 6th Judicial District. The County Court at 13 Eaton Avenue in Norwich handles felony cases, while Norwich City Court at One Court Plaza deals with misdemeanors and violations. The County Clerk at 5 Court Street, Norwich keeps many court documents and offers an eSearch system for online records access. You can search Chenango County criminal records through state online tools, in person at the courthouse, or by mail. If you have an indictment number, the clerk can pull a Certificate of Conviction for just $5.00 with no additional search fee.
Chenango County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search Chenango County Criminal Records
The Chenango County Court at 13 Eaton Avenue, Norwich, NY 13815 is where felony criminal cases are heard. Chief Clerk Kimberly S. Sitts and Deputy Chief Clerk Abigail Rogers staff the office. Phone: 607-371-7160. Fax: 917-522-3477. County Court Judge Hon. Frank B. Revoir presides over cases. The court is closed on legal holidays. All visitors must pass through a magnetometer upon entering.
The Chenango County Clerk's Office at 5 Court Street, Norwich, NY 13815 handles record keeping and administrative duties. County Clerk Mary C. Weidman can be reached at (607) 337-1451. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk provides an eSearch program where guests can view recorded information for documents filed and recorded. Subscribers can also view and print recorded documents. The office accepts credit cards, cash, and checks. A convenience fee of 2.65% (minimum $1.00) applies to credit card payments.
The Norwich City Court at One Court Plaza, Norwich, NY 13815 handles misdemeanors, violations, and traffic cases. Phone: 607-371-7220. Chief Clerk Jodi Fitch runs the office. City Court Judges are Hon. Michael J. Genute and Hon. Patrick Flanagan. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Payments accepted until 4:00 PM. The court sits in a renovated freight train station.
Online Criminal Records Search Options
WebCrims shows active criminal cases in Chenango County. Search by name or case number. It is free and covers courts in the 6th Judicial District. Sealed and old closed cases do not show up.
The County Clerk's eSearch system lets you look up recorded documents online. However, civil actions filed on or after December 26, 2022 must use NYSCEF (New York State Courts Electronic Filing). Those newer cases will not appear in eSearch. To search NYSCEF, click "Search as Guest" and select Chenango County under "Narrow Your Results." Money judgments, satisfactions, and lis pendens from those cases still show up in the clerk's system.
Chenango County Court at 13 Eaton Avenue in Norwich handles felony criminal cases in the 6th Judicial District.
The eCourts portal provides wider access to court records. For a statewide search, use the Criminal History Record Search at $95 per name. Results come the next business day.
Criminal History and DCJS Records
DCJS maintains fingerprint-based criminal history records. These files are not public. You cannot get another person's DCJS record.
For your own record, use the Record Review program. Submit fingerprints at an approved site. The cost runs about $77.75. Results take 7 to 10 business days. Chenango County is rural, so fingerprinting options may be limited. Check the DCJS website for nearby approved vendors.
Requesting Criminal Records by Mail
You can request criminal records from the Chenango County Clerk by mail. If you have the indictment number, the fee is just $5.00 for a Certificate of Conviction with no search fee. Without the indictment number, you will pay a search fee on top of the certificate cost. Send your request to the County Clerk at 5 Court Street, Norwich, NY 13815. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by check or money order.
The Chenango County Clerk also offers PropertyCheck, a free service that alerts residents to possible property fraud. While not related to criminal records searches, it shows the clerk's office is working to bring more services online. Sign up through the county website.
Criminal Record Sealing Laws
Dismissed and acquitted cases seal on their own under CPL 160.50. No motion is needed. This happens in County Court, Norwich City Court, and all town courts in Chenango County.
For convictions, CPL 160.59 lets a person seal up to two after 10 years. Only one can be a felony. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, and violent felonies are excluded. Youthful offender cases stay confidential under CPL 720.35.
The Clean Slate Act started November 16, 2024. It provides automatic sealing for some records. Misdemeanors seal 3 years after sentencing or release. Felonies seal after 8 years. Sex offenses, violent felonies, Class A felonies, and homicides are not covered.
Fees for Criminal Records
In-person inspection is free under Judiciary Law 255. The Chenango County Clerk charges standard fees.
- Certificate of Conviction (with indictment number): $5.00
- CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
- DCJS record review: about $77.75
- Copy fees: standard rates per page
- Credit card convenience fee: 2.65% (minimum $1.00)
WebCrims and eCourts are free to use. The eSearch system lets guests view basic document info at no charge. Subscribers can view and print full documents.
Public Access to Criminal Records
Criminal court records in Chenango County are generally public under Public Officers Law Article 6. Judiciary Law 255 requires court clerks to make records available for inspection. Sealed cases, Family Court files, and juvenile records are not available. The Committee on Open Government can help with denied requests.
The Chenango County Clerk at 5 Court Street in Norwich provides access to court records online and in person.
Sex Offender Registry
The Sex Offender Registry covers Chenango County. Search by name, county, or zip code. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders show online. For Level 1, call 1-800-262-3257.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The DOCCS website has an inmate lookup for people in state prison or on parole. Search by name or DIN. For the Chenango County Jail, contact the Sheriff's Office directly.
Towns in Chenango County
Chenango County does not have any cities with their own records pages on this site. Norwich is the county seat and largest city. Norwich City Court handles misdemeanors and violations within the city limits. Other towns like Oxford, Greene, Sherburne, and Bainbridge have their own town courts. Criminal records from those courts can be searched through CHRS or eCourts. The county has a wide network of town and village courts spread across its rural area.
Nearby Counties
Chenango County sits in central New York. These neighboring counties have their own court systems and clerks.