Orleans County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Orleans County are managed through the court system based in Albion, the county seat. Orleans County is one of the smaller counties in New York and falls within the 8th Judicial District. The County Clerk at 3 South Main Street handles felony court files and long-term record storage. Orleans County Court at the same courthouse complex tries felony cases, while town courts across the county deal with misdemeanors and violations. There are no city courts in Orleans County, so all lower-level criminal matters go through the local town and village courts. You can also check state-run online tools for criminal case data from this county.
Orleans County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search Orleans County Criminal Records
The Orleans County Clerk at 3 South Main Street, Suite 1, Albion, NY 14411 is the primary office for criminal records. The clerk files and stores case documents for felony matters heard in County Court and Supreme Court. Walk in during business hours and inspect public records for free under Judiciary Law 255. Copies cost a small per-page fee. Call (585) 589-5334 for help.
Orleans County Court sits at the courthouse in Albion. This is where felony cases are tried. Criminal records from this court include indictments, plea deals, trial verdicts, and sentencing information. The County Clerk serves as clerk for this court, so all records end up in the clerk's office.
Since Orleans County has no cities, there are no city courts. All misdemeanor and violation cases go through town courts in places like Albion, Medina, Ridgeway, Shelby, and Murray. Each town court keeps its own set of case files. These courts handle arraignments, misdemeanor trials, small claims, and traffic matters. Data from town courts feeds into the statewide system, though older records may not be digitized.
Online Criminal Records Search
WebCrims is the fastest free way to check Orleans County criminal records online. It shows active and pending cases by name or case number. Coverage includes the 8th Judicial District. It does not show sealed or old closed cases.
The eCourts portal gives broader access to court records. You can search by name, case number, or attorney. Results pull from courts in Orleans County. The system is free. Not every record type shows up, and some older records may be missing.
Court records search options for Orleans County criminal cases.
For a full statewide search, use the Criminal History Record Search. It costs $95 per name and date of birth. Results cover every court level in all 62 counties. You get results the next business day. Sealed records will not show. Town court data from before 2007 may be incomplete, which matters more in a county like Orleans where town courts handle most misdemeanor work.
Criminal History and DCJS Records
DCJS keeps fingerprint-based criminal history records for all of New York State. These are not the same as court records. They include arrest data, charges, and dispositions linked to fingerprints. DCJS records are not public.
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. Orleans County residents may need to travel to Rochester or Batavia for fingerprinting. This is the only way to get an official rap sheet in New York.
Sealing Laws for Criminal Records
Orleans County courts follow the same sealing rules as the rest of the state.
When a case is dismissed or results in acquittal, records seal on their own under CPL 160.50. No motion is needed. The court and police seal their files. This covers Orleans County Court and every town court in the county.
For convictions, CPL 160.59 allows sealing of 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 are confidential under CPL 720.35.
The Clean Slate Act, effective November 16, 2024, provides for automatic sealing of certain convictions. Misdemeanors seal after 3 years. Felonies seal after 8 years. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, violent felonies, and homicides are excluded from the automatic process.
Fees for Criminal Records
The Orleans County Clerk charges standard state fees for searches and copies. Looking at records in person is free. You pay for copies.
- CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
- DCJS 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 to use. They display case info on screen. You cannot get certified copies from them. For a Certificate of Disposition, request one from the Orleans County Clerk.
Public Access to Criminal Records
Most criminal court records in Orleans County are public. New York's Freedom of Information Law under Public Officers Law Article 6 gives the public a right to see government records. Court records are governed by Judiciary Law 255. You do not need to be part of the case.
Some records are restricted. Sealed cases under CPL 160.50 and CPL 160.59 cannot be viewed. Family Court files, juvenile cases, and youthful offender adjudications are confidential. Grand jury materials are secret. The Orleans County Sheriff and District Attorney may withhold investigation files. The Committee on Open Government can help with denied requests.
Sex Offender Registry
The Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders in Orleans County by name, county, or zip code. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders appear online. Level 1 offenders are only available by calling 1-800-262-3257. This system runs separately from the court records at the Orleans County Clerk's office.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The DOCCS website lets you look up inmates by name or DIN number. This covers people sentenced in Orleans County who are in state prison. The Orleans County Jail holds people awaiting trial or serving local sentences. Contact the jail through the Orleans County Sheriff's Office at (585) 590-4137 for current inmate info. The Albion Correctional Facility, a state prison located in Orleans County, handles its records through DOCCS.
Towns in Orleans County
Orleans County has no cities. The major towns include Albion, Medina, Ridgeway, Shelby, Murray, Barre, Gaines, Carlton, Kendall, and Yates. Each town has its own justice court that handles misdemeanor criminal records and other local matters. Records from these courts can be searched through CHRS or eCourts.
Nearby Counties
Orleans County sits along Lake Ontario in western New York. These nearby counties each have their own court system and clerk's office.