Find Criminal Records in Herkimer County
Criminal records in Herkimer County are held by the County Clerk and the courts of the 5th Judicial District, with offices in the village of Herkimer. The County Clerk files and stores case documents for felony and other criminal matters heard in County Court and Supreme Court. You can search Herkimer County criminal records in person at the clerk's office, through state online tools like WebCrims and eCourts, or by ordering a statewide Criminal History Record Search. The county also has several town and village courts that handle misdemeanor cases and local offenses in their own jurisdictions.
Herkimer County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search Herkimer County Criminal Records
The Herkimer County Clerk's Office is the main place to search for criminal records in this county. The clerk serves as the filing office for County Court and Supreme Court cases. You can visit in person and inspect public records at no charge under Judiciary Law 255. Copies come with a fee. The standard search rate is $5.00 per name per two-year period, the same as most New York counties.
Herkimer County Court handles felony cases. Indictments, pleas, trial outcomes, and sentencing data all go through this court. The County Clerk acts as clerk for the court, so records end up at the clerk's office for long-term storage. If you need details on a specific case, the clerk's staff can help you find the right files.
Town and village courts across Herkimer County handle misdemeanors, violations, and traffic offenses. Each local court keeps its own records. If a case was tried in a town court, you may need to contact that court directly since not all local records are available through the county-level system.
Online Criminal Records Search
State-run tools let you search Herkimer County criminal records online. WebCrims is free and shows active and pending criminal cases. You can search by defendant name or case number. The tool covers courts in the 5th Judicial District. Sealed and old closed cases do not appear. It works best for checking on a case that is still moving through court.
Herkimer County court records can be searched through state online tools and the County Clerk's office.
The eCourts portal gives broader access. Search by name, case number, or attorney. It pulls results from multiple Herkimer County courts. The system is free. Some record types may not show up, and older criminal records might not be in the database.
For a full statewide search, the Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name and date of birth. Results cover all 62 counties. You get results the next business day. This search is name-based, not fingerprint-based. Sealed records will not appear. Town and village court data from before 2007 may have gaps.
Criminal History and DCJS
The Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains fingerprint-based criminal history records for the state. These files are different from court records. DCJS data includes arrest info, charges, and case outcomes tied to a person's fingerprints. They are not public. No one can request another person's DCJS record.
For your own criminal history, the Record Review program is the path. Get fingerprinted at an approved site and pay about $77.75. Results take 7 to 10 business days. Herkimer County residents can find print sites through DCJS or local agencies. This is the only way to get an official rap sheet in New York.
Criminal Record Sealing in Herkimer County
Herkimer County courts follow the same sealing laws as every other county in New York. Dismissed cases and acquittals seal on their own under CPL 160.50. No motion is required. The court and police seal their files, and the case will not appear in public searches.
A person with convictions may apply to seal them under CPL 160.59 after 10 years. Up to two convictions can be sealed. Only one may be a felony. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, and violent felonies do not qualify. The court decides on a case-by-case basis. Youthful offender adjudications stay confidential under CPL 720.35.
Starting November 16, 2024, the Clean Slate Act brings automatic sealing. Misdemeanors seal 3 years after sentencing or release. Felonies seal after 8 years. Violent felonies, sex offenses, Class A felonies, and homicides are not included. DCJS handles the process statewide.
Fees for Criminal Records
Costs for criminal records in Herkimer County follow state guidelines. You can look at records for free at the clerk's office. Formal searches and copies cost money.
- Name search at County Clerk: $5.00 per name per two-year period
- Copy fees: $0.65 per page
- CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
- DCJS record review: about $77.75
- Certified copies: $5.00 to $10.00 per document
WebCrims and eCourts cost nothing to use. They display case information on screen but do not issue certified copies. For official court documents like a Certificate of Disposition, go through the County Clerk's office.
Public Access to Records
Most criminal court records in Herkimer County are public. Public Officers Law Article 6 grants a broad right to inspect government records. Court records are covered by Judiciary Law 255, which requires clerks to search records and provide copies on request.
Sealed cases are not available. Family Court proceedings, juvenile records, and youthful offender adjudications are confidential. Grand jury records are secret. If a records request is denied, the Committee on Open Government can offer guidance on how to appeal.
Sex Offender Registry
Search for registered offenders in Herkimer County through the Sex Offender Registry. It is free. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders show up online. For Level 1 offenders, call 1-800-262-3257. This registry is separate from the criminal records held by the County Clerk.
Resources for searching Herkimer County criminal records through state and local databases.
Corrections and Inmate Lookup
The DOCCS website has a free inmate lookup tool. Search by name or DIN. This covers people sentenced in Herkimer County who are in state prison. For local jail info, contact the Herkimer County Sheriff's Office. The county jail holds people awaiting trial and those serving short sentences.
Nearby Counties
Herkimer County is in the Mohawk Valley of central New York. Criminal records in nearby counties are handled by their own court systems.