Find Criminal Records in Kings County
Criminal records in Kings County are managed by the Kings County Clerk, Brooklyn Criminal Court, and Kings County Supreme Court. Kings County is coterminous with the borough of Brooklyn, making it the most populous county in New York State. The sheer volume of cases processed here each year means records are spread across multiple courthouses and systems. You can search Kings County criminal records through state online tools, visit the clerk at 360 Adams Street, or use the CHRS system for a statewide name search. Brooklyn Criminal Court alone handles tens of thousands of cases annually, so knowing which court and which search tool to use will save you time.
Kings County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search Kings County Criminal Records
The Kings County Clerk at 360 Adams Street, Room 189, Brooklyn, NY 11201 handles criminal records from Supreme Court cases. The clerk files and keeps case documents for felony indictments, pleas, and sentencing data. You can visit and inspect public records for free under Judiciary Law 255. Copies cost a fee per page. The phone number is (347) 404-9772.
Brooklyn Criminal Court at 120 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 handles misdemeanors and violations. This is one of the busiest criminal courts in the state. Call (347) 404-9400 for case inquiries. The court processes arraignments, bench trials, plea deals, and sentencing for lower-level offenses. It also handles preliminary felony hearings before cases move to Supreme Court.
Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, operates at 320 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. This is where felony cases are tried. Phone is (347) 404-9030. The volume of cases here is enormous. Criminal records from Supreme Court include grand jury indictments, trial verdicts, plea agreements, and sentencing orders. The County Clerk stores these records for long-term access.
Online Search Options for Criminal Records
WebCrims is the fastest free tool for active Kings County criminal cases. It covers all New York City criminal courts including Brooklyn. Search by name or case number. The tool shows pending cases, court dates, charges, and case status. It does not show sealed cases or old closed matters. This is the go-to tool for checking on a case still moving through Brooklyn Criminal Court or Supreme Court.
The eCourts portal gives broader access. You can search by name, case number, or attorney. It covers multiple courts in Kings County. The system is free. Not all record types appear here, and older criminal records may not be in the database yet. Still, it is a good starting point for a general search.
The eCourts portal provides access to court records across Kings County and other New York counties.
The Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name. Results come from every court in all 62 counties, including Kings. You get results the next business day. Sealed records will not show up. This name-based search is the most complete court record search the state offers.
DCJS Criminal History Records
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps fingerprint-based criminal history records. These are separate from court records. DCJS records include arrest data, charges, and dispositions linked to fingerprints. They are not public. You cannot request someone else's DCJS record.
To get your own record, use the Record Review program. Submit fingerprints through an approved vendor. The cost is about $77.75. Results take 7 to 10 business days. Brooklyn residents can find fingerprinting locations throughout the borough. Several NYPD precincts in Brooklyn offer fingerprinting services for record review purposes.
Criminal Record Sealing in Kings County
New York law provides several ways to seal criminal records. Kings County courts follow the same rules as every other county.
Dismissals and acquittals trigger automatic sealing under CPL 160.50. No motion needed. The court and police seal their files. The person can say they were never arrested for that charge. Given the volume of cases in Brooklyn, a large number of records get sealed this way each year.
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. Kings County Supreme Court handles these motions for felony cases. Brooklyn Criminal Court handles them for misdemeanors. 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. Felony convictions seal after 8 years. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, violent felonies, and homicides are excluded from automatic sealing.
Criminal Records Fees
Costs vary by search method. You can look at records in person for free at the Kings County Clerk. Copies cost a fee.
- 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. They show case info on screen but cannot produce certified copies. For a Certificate of Disposition from Kings County, you have to request one from the clerk's office or the specific court. Brooklyn Criminal Court has a dedicated window for disposition requests.
Public Access to Records
Most criminal court records in Kings County are public. New York's Freedom of Information Law, under Public Officers Law Article 6, grants broad access to government records. Court records fall under Judiciary Law 255. The clerk must search records and give copies when asked and paid. No reason needed.
Sealed cases under CPL 160.50 and CPL 160.59 are off limits. Family Court records and juvenile cases stay confidential. Grand jury proceedings are secret. Active investigation files from the NYPD or the Kings County District Attorney may be withheld under FOIL exemptions. The Brooklyn DA's office is one of the largest prosecution offices in the country, handling a heavy caseload each year.
Sex Offender Registry Search
The Sex Offender Registry lets you search by name, county, or zip code. Look up registered offenders in Kings County at no cost. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders show online. Level 1 offenders are only available through the hotline at 1-800-262-3257. This is a separate system from court records at the Kings County Clerk.
The OCA Criminal History Record Search covers all courts in Kings County and across New York State.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The DOCCS website has an inmate lookup tool for people in state prison or on parole. Search by name or DIN number. This covers people sentenced in Kings County now in state custody. For people held at city jails (Rikers Island and borough facilities), use the NYC Department of Correction inmate lookup. Kings County does not have its own county jail since the NYC DOC handles detention for all five boroughs.
Cities in Kings County
Kings County is entirely within the City of New York. There are no separate cities or towns. All criminal matters go through Brooklyn Criminal Court for misdemeanors or Kings County Supreme Court for felonies.
- New York City - Kings County (Brooklyn) is one of five boroughs in New York City.
Nearby Counties
Kings County borders several other New York City counties and Nassau County on Long Island. Each has its own court system.