Lewis County Criminal Records Search
Criminal records in Lewis County are held by the County Clerk and the courts that make up the 5th Judicial District. Lowville is the county seat and home to the Lewis County Courthouse. This is a rural county in northern New York with a small population, which means the volume of criminal cases is low compared to downstate areas. You can search Lewis County criminal records through the clerk's office in person, use state online tools, or file a written FOIL request. Court records going back decades are stored at the courthouse, though older records may require some digging to locate.
Lewis County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Find Lewis County Criminal Records
The Lewis County Clerk at 7660 N. State Street, Lowville, NY 13367 is the main place for criminal records tied to County Court and Supreme Court matters. The clerk stores case papers for felony cases. You can visit and inspect public records at no charge under Judiciary Law 255. Copies have a per-page fee. Call (315) 376-5333 for help finding records.
Lewis County Court is at the Lewis County Courthouse in Lowville. Felony cases are tried here. The County Clerk acts as clerk for this court. Criminal records from County Court include indictments, pleas, trial outcomes, and sentencing data. Because Lewis County is small, the same courthouse handles most criminal business in one location.
Lowville Village Court and the various town courts across Lewis County handle misdemeanors, violations, and traffic matters. These include courts in Croghan, Harrisburg, Turin, and other towns. Records from these local courts stay with the individual court clerk but also feed into the state system over time. If you need a record from a specific town court, it helps to contact that court directly.
Online Criminal Records Search
The eCourts portal is a free way to search Lewis County criminal records online. Search by name, case number, or attorney. The system pulls results from courts in Lewis County and across the state. Coverage for small rural counties may have gaps in older records. Still, it is a solid starting point.
The Criminal History Record Search from the Office of Court Administration costs $95 per name and date of birth. It pulls data from every court in all 62 counties. Results arrive the next business day. This is a name-based search. Sealed records do not show up. Town court data from before 2007 may be incomplete, which is worth knowing for Lewis County since many cases move through town courts here.
The Lewis County Clerk's office in Lowville handles criminal record searches and copy requests.
WebCrims shows active criminal cases in some courts. Coverage for Lewis County is limited. The tool works best for NYC-area courts and some larger upstate courts. Check to see what is available. It is free and does not need a login.
DCJS Criminal History Records
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps fingerprint-based criminal histories. These differ from court records. DCJS records link arrest data, charges, and outcomes to a set of fingerprints. They are not public. You cannot get someone else's DCJS record.
For your own record, use the Record Review program. You submit fingerprints through an approved vendor. The cost is about $77.75 total. Results come in 7 to 10 business days. Lewis County residents may need to travel to a larger area like Watertown or Utica for fingerprinting services, though the Lewis County Sheriff's Office may also be able to help.
Record Sealing Laws
Lewis County courts follow the same sealing rules as every other county in New York. These rules affect what shows up in a criminal records search.
Dismissals and acquittals seal automatically under CPL 160.50. No motion is needed. The court and police seal their records. 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 are excluded.
The Clean Slate Act started November 16, 2024. Misdemeanor convictions seal 3 years after sentencing or release. Felonies seal after 8 years. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, violent felonies, and homicides are not eligible. DCJS handles the automatic sealing process across the state, including Lewis County records.
Fees for Criminal Records
The Lewis County Clerk charges standard state fees. In-person inspection of records is free. Copies cost money.
- 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
Free tools like eCourts show case data on screen. They do not produce certified copies. For a Certificate of Disposition from Lewis County Court, contact the County Clerk's office directly.
Public Access to Criminal Records
Most criminal court records in Lewis County are public. New York's Freedom of Information Law, under Public Officers Law Article 6, gives you the right to see government records. Court records fall under Judiciary Law 255. The clerk must search and provide copies when asked and paid.
Sealed cases are off limits. That includes records sealed under CPL 160.50 and CPL 160.59. Family Court records, juvenile cases, and youthful offender adjudications stay confidential under CPL 720.35. Grand jury proceedings are secret. Investigation files from the Lewis County Sheriff may be withheld under FOIL exemptions.
Lewis County court records can be accessed through the clerk's office and state online tools.
Sex Offender Registry
The Sex Offender Registry lets you search by name, county, or zip code. Look up registered offenders in Lewis County for free. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders show online. Level 1 offenders require a call to 1-800-262-3257.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The DOCCS website has an inmate lookup tool. Search by name or DIN number for people in state prison or on parole. The Lewis County Jail holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences locally. Contact the Lewis County Sheriff's Office at (315) 376-3511 for current jail inmate information.
Nearby Counties
Lewis County sits in the Tug Hill region of northern New York. These neighboring counties have their own court systems and clerk offices.