Fulton County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Fulton County are managed by County Clerk Leisa D'Amore at the County Office Building in Johnstown. The county sits in New York's 4th Judicial District, and Johnstown is the county seat. You can search Fulton County criminal records at the clerk's office on West Main Street, at the courthouse, or through state-run online tools. The clerk maintains court records for civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. The Fulton County Jail, the Sheriff's Office, and state databases all hold related criminal records that may be useful depending on what you need.
Fulton County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search Fulton County Criminal Records
The Fulton County Clerk is at 223 West Main Street, Johnstown, NY 12095. County Clerk Leisa D'Amore runs the office. Call (518) 736-5555 for questions. Fax is (518) 736-5967. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk maintains court records and legal documents for civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. You can visit and inspect public records for free under Judiciary Law 255. Copies cost a fee per page.
Fulton County Court handles felony criminal cases. Criminal records from this court include indictments, plea agreements, trial verdicts, and sentencing information. The County Clerk acts as clerk of the court, so felony case files end up at the main office for long-term storage. Town and village justice courts across the county handle misdemeanors and violations. Each town court keeps its own records, but data feeds into the statewide system.
If you know the case number, that speeds things up. If you only have a name and a rough date, the clerk can try to find the case. Bring as much detail as you can. The more information you provide, the faster the search will go.
Online Criminal Records Search Options
WebCrims is the fastest free tool for active and pending criminal cases in Fulton County. It covers courts in the 4th Judicial District. Search by name or case number. Sealed cases and old closed matters will not appear. This tool works best for cases still in progress.
The eCourts portal gives broader access to court records from Fulton County and the rest of New York. Search by name, case number, or attorney. It is free to use. Not all record types show up, and some older records may not be in the database yet.
Fulton County provides access to court records through the clerk's office in Johnstown.
For a complete statewide search, use the Criminal History Record Search from OCA. The cost is $95 per name and date of birth. Results come from every court in all 62 counties. You get results the next business day. This is name-based, not fingerprint-based. Sealed records will not show. Town court data from before 2007 may be incomplete.
Criminal History and DCJS Records
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps fingerprint-based criminal history records. These are different from court records. They are not public. You cannot request someone else's DCJS record through FOIL or any other way.
To get your own criminal history, use the Record Review program. Submit fingerprints at an approved vendor. The fee runs about $77.75. Results take 7 to 10 business days. You can request a suppressed or unsuppressed version. Fulton County residents can check with local law enforcement or DCJS for the nearest fingerprinting location.
Fulton County Jail and Inmate Information
The Fulton County Jail is at 2710 State Highway 29, P.O. Box 20, Johnstown, NY 12095. Captain Keith Ackerknecht oversees the facility. Call (518) 736-2198 for information. The jail holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences.
Inmates get two visits per week. Visitors must be approved before coming. If an inmate has been held 24 hours or less, visitors can come without formal approval. Call the jail at (518) 736-2198 to schedule a visit. Each visit lasts one hour. Valid photo ID is required. Only two adult visitors or one adult and one minor are allowed per visit. Visitors are subject to electronic search. No items can be brought in during the visit.
Criminal Record Sealing in Fulton County
Fulton County courts follow New York's statewide sealing rules. Cases that end in dismissal or acquittal seal automatically under CPL 160.50. No motion is needed. The court and police seal their files.
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. Youthful offender adjudications remain confidential under CPL 720.35.
The Clean Slate Act took effect November 16, 2024. Misdemeanors seal automatically after 3 years. Felonies seal after 8 years. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, violent felonies, and homicides are excluded from automatic sealing.
Fees for Criminal Records in Fulton County
Fees follow state law. In-person inspection is free. Copies come with standard charges.
- CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
- DCJS personal record review: about $77.75
- County clerk name search: $5.00 per name (two-year period)
- Copy fees: $0.25 to $0.65 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 to $10.00 per document
WebCrims and eCourts are free. For a Certificate of Disposition from Fulton County Court, go through the clerk's office. The fee depends on the number of pages and whether you need certification.
Public Access to Records
Most criminal court records in Fulton County are public. Public Officers Law Article 6 gives the right to see government records. Court records fall under Judiciary Law 255. You do not need to be involved in the case. You do not need to give a reason.
Some records are restricted. Sealed cases under CPL 160.50 and CPL 160.59 cannot be accessed. Family Court records, juvenile cases, and youthful offender adjudications are confidential. Grand jury proceedings are secret. The Committee on Open Government can help if a request is denied.
Sex Offender Registry Search
The Sex Offender Registry lets you search by name, county, or zip code. Look up registered offenders in Fulton County for free. The Fulton County Sheriff's office also preserves sex offender information that is accessible online. The registry shows mugshots, address information, birth dates, gender, and physical descriptions. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders show up online. Level 1 offenders are available by calling 1-800-262-3257.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The DOCCS website lets you look up inmates in state prison or on parole. Search by name or DIN number. This covers people sentenced in Fulton County who are now in state custody.
The OCA Criminal History Record Search covers all courts in Fulton County and across New York State.
Nearby Counties
Fulton County sits in the Mohawk Valley region. These neighboring counties each have their own court system and clerk's office.