Access Putnam County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Putnam County are centered in Carmel, the county seat. Putnam County is part of the 9th Judicial District and sits just north of Westchester County in the lower Hudson Valley. It is one of the smaller counties in New York, with no cities at all. All criminal cases go through Putnam County Court for felonies or through the six town courts for misdemeanors and violations. The County Clerk at 40 Gleneida Avenue stores felony court files and handles record requests. You can also search for criminal records using the state's online court tools.
Putnam County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search Putnam County Criminal Records
The Putnam County Clerk at 40 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel, NY 10512 is the main office for criminal records tied to County Court and Supreme Court. The clerk stores felony case documents and provides copies on request. You can walk in and inspect records for free under Judiciary Law 255. The phone number is (845) 225-3641 ext. 140.
Putnam County has no cities and no city courts. All misdemeanor criminal records go through the six town courts: Carmel, Kent, Patterson, Philipstown, Putnam Valley, and Southeast. Each town court has its own justice or justices and keeps its own files. These courts handle arraignments, misdemeanor cases, violations, and traffic matters.
Putnam County Court is at the county courthouse complex in Carmel. This is where felony cases are tried. Criminal records here include indictments, plea agreements, trial results, and sentencing data. The County Clerk acts as clerk for this court. Because Putnam has no city courts, the town courts carry a bigger share of the criminal caseload than in counties with larger cities.
Online Criminal Records Search Options
WebCrims is the fastest free option for checking Putnam County criminal records. It shows active and pending cases by name or case number. Coverage includes the 9th Judicial District. Sealed cases and old closed matters do not show up.
The eCourts portal gives wider access. Search by name, case number, or attorney. It pulls results from Putnam County courts. The system is free. Not all record types appear, and older records may not be in the database.
Search tools for Putnam County criminal court records and case data.
The Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name and date of birth. It covers every court level in all 62 counties. Results come the next business day. Sealed records do not appear. Town court data from before 2007 may be incomplete. Since Putnam County relies entirely on town courts for misdemeanor cases, this gap could affect some searches.
DCJS Criminal History Records
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps fingerprint-based criminal history records. These are not court records. They include arrest data, charges, and outcomes tied to fingerprints. DCJS records are not public.
For your own DCJS record, use the Record Review program. Submit fingerprints at an approved vendor. The cost is about $77.75. Results take 7 to 10 business days. Putnam County residents can find fingerprinting sites in the Carmel area or in nearby Westchester and Dutchess counties. This is the only way to get an official rap sheet in New York.
Criminal Record Sealing Laws
Putnam County courts follow the same sealing rules as every other county in the state.
Dismissed and acquitted cases seal automatically under CPL 160.50. No motion is required. The court and police seal their files. This applies to Putnam County Court and all six town courts.
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 not eligible. Youthful offender adjudications are kept confidential under CPL 720.35.
The Clean Slate Act, effective November 16, 2024, provides automatic sealing for certain convictions. Misdemeanors seal 3 years after sentencing or release. Felonies seal after 8 years. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, violent felonies, and homicides are excluded.
Fees for Putnam County Criminal Records
Standard state fees apply at the Putnam County Clerk's office. Looking at records in person costs nothing. You pay for copies and certifications.
- 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. They show case info on screen but do not provide certified copies. For a Certificate of Disposition from Putnam County Court, go through the County Clerk.
Public Access to Records
Most criminal court records in Putnam County are public. Public Officers Law Article 6 grants a broad right to access government records. Court records are governed by Judiciary Law 255. You do not have to be part of the case or give a reason.
Off-limits records include sealed cases, Family Court files, juvenile matters, youthful offender adjudications, and grand jury proceedings. The Putnam County Sheriff and District Attorney may withhold active investigation files under FOIL exemptions. The Committee on Open Government can help if you have trouble getting records released.
Sex Offender Registry Search
The Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders in Putnam County by name, county, or zip code. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders show up online. Level 1 offenders require a call to 1-800-262-3257. This is separate from the criminal court records at the County Clerk's office.
Additional resources for Putnam County criminal records access.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The DOCCS website has an inmate lookup for people sentenced in Putnam County who are in state prison. Search by name or DIN number. The Putnam County Correctional Facility in Carmel holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. Contact the facility at (845) 225-4300 for current inmate info.
Towns in Putnam County
Putnam County has no cities. Its six towns are Carmel, Kent, Patterson, Philipstown, Putnam Valley, and Southeast. Each town has a justice court that handles misdemeanor criminal records and other local matters. Criminal records from all these courts can be searched through CHRS or eCourts.
Nearby Counties
Putnam County sits in the lower Hudson Valley between Westchester and Dutchess counties. Each nearby county has its own court system.