Search Clinton County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Clinton County are managed by the County Court, the County Clerk, and local courts centered in Plattsburgh. Clinton County sits in the North Country region of New York, near the Canadian border, and falls under the 4th Judicial District. The courthouse and most county offices are at the Clinton County Office Building, 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh. You can search Clinton County criminal records online through state tools, at the courthouse in person, or by sending a written request. Criminal court records are not available through the County Clerk's public records portal. Instead, you need to contact the court clerk directly for criminal case information. The county's new clerk, Brandi Lloyd, has set digitization of records as a major goal for the office.
Clinton County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search Clinton County Criminal Records
The Clinton County Supreme and County Court Clerk's Office at 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 is the place to go for criminal case records. Chief Clerk Denise Durkin and Deputy Chief Clerk Danielle Marquis run the office. Phone: 518-536-3840. Email: ClintonSupremeCo@nycourts.gov. Hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. E-filing is mandatory for select case types. County Court Judge Hon. Keith M. Bruno presides over felony criminal matters.
The Clinton County Clerk at 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 handles civil court records, land records, and other documents. Phone: (518) 565-4700. Email: countyclerk@clintoncountygov.com. The clerk has most civil cases but criminal records are kept by the court clerk, not the county clerk. This is an important difference. If you call the county clerk asking for criminal records, they will direct you to the court clerk's office.
Plattsburgh City Court handles misdemeanors, violations, and traffic offenses within the city. Town courts across Clinton County process local criminal matters. Records from all of these courts feed into the statewide system.
Online Criminal Records Search
WebCrims is the best free tool for active criminal cases in Clinton County. Search by defendant name or case number. It covers courts in the 4th Judicial District. Sealed or old closed cases do not appear.
The eCourts portal provides broader access to court records across New York. Search by name, case number, or attorney. Not all record types appear, and older criminal records may not be in the database.
Clinton County criminal court records can be accessed through state portals and direct requests to the court clerk.
For a complete statewide search, the Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name. Results come the next business day and cover all 62 counties. Town and village court data from before 2007 may have gaps. This is a name-based search, not fingerprint-based.
DCJS Criminal History Records
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps fingerprint-based criminal history records. These are not public records. Nobody can obtain someone else's DCJS file through FOIL or any other process.
To get your own rap sheet, use the Record Review program. Submit fingerprints at an approved location. The cost is about $77.75. Results take 7 to 10 business days. Clinton County residents may need to check for fingerprinting vendors in the Plattsburgh area or in nearby communities along the Northway corridor.
Criminal Case Process in Clinton County
Criminal cases in Clinton County follow a set path. Cases start with arraignment, where the defendant hears the charges and enters a plea. Pre-trial motions and hearings come next. Then a trial takes place, either before a jury or a judge sitting alone. If there is a conviction, sentencing follows. After that, appeals and post-conviction processes may begin.
Clinton County criminal court records capture every stage. Case files contain the case number, hearing schedules, charges filed, trial proceedings, and sentencing outcomes. The court clerk preserves these records to maintain transparency and accuracy. You can review records from any stage of a case, as long as they have not been sealed by law or court order.
Criminal Record Sealing in Clinton County
Cases that end in dismissal or acquittal seal automatically under CPL 160.50. No motion is needed. The court and police seal their files and the case drops from public view.
Under CPL 160.59, a person can apply to seal up to two convictions after 10 years. Only one can be a felony. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, and violent felonies do not qualify. Cases that ended in dismissal or acquittal with minor convictions may also be eligible. The court reviews each case on its facts.
Youthful offender adjudications are kept confidential under CPL 720.35. The Clean Slate Act took effect November 16, 2024. It automatically seals misdemeanor convictions after 3 years and felony convictions after 8 years. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, violent felonies, and homicides are excluded.
Fees for Clinton County Criminal Records
In-person inspection of court records is free under Judiciary Law 255. Copies and searches cost money.
- CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
- DCJS personal record review: about $77.75
- Copy fees: $0.25 per page
- Certified copies: additional fee per document
WebCrims and eCourts are free. The Clinton County Clerk accepts various payment methods for copies and filings. For criminal record copies, contact the court clerk at 518-536-3840 to confirm exact fees.
Public Access to Records
Most criminal records in Clinton County are public under Public Officers Law Article 6. This is New York's FOIL law. Court records are also covered by Judiciary Law 255. You do not need to be part of the case and you do not need a reason for the request.
Some records are not available. Sealed cases under CPL 160.50 and CPL 160.59, cases involving juveniles, sealed judicial orders, and matters with sensitive personal information are restricted. The Committee on Open Government can advise if a request is denied.
Sex Offender Registry
The Sex Offender Registry lets you look up offenders in Clinton County by name, county, or zip code. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders appear in the online search. Call 1-800-262-3257 for Level 1 info. This is separate from court records.
The OCA Criminal History Record Search covers all courts in Clinton County and across New York State.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The DOCCS website has an inmate lookup tool. Search by name or DIN number. Clinton County is home to several state correctional facilities, so the DOCCS system is particularly relevant here. For the Clinton County Jail, contact the Sheriff's Office directly.
Towns in Clinton County
Clinton County does not have any cities with their own records pages on this site. Plattsburgh is the county seat and largest city. Plattsburgh City Court handles misdemeanors and violations within the city. Other communities like Peru, Beekmantown, Champlain, and Dannemora have town courts. Dannemora is known for the state correctional facility located there. Criminal records from all local courts can be searched through CHRS or eCourts.
Nearby Counties
Clinton County sits in the North Country of New York, near the Canadian border. These neighboring counties have their own courts.