Find Criminal Records in Schenectady County
Criminal records in Schenectady County are held by the County Clerk at 620 State Street in Schenectady, the Supreme and County Courts at the Judicial Building on 612 State Street, and the Schenectady City Court Criminal Division at 531 Liberty Street. The County Clerk, Cara M. Ackerley, serves as Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts and manages court files, land records, and other public documents. Schenectady County is part of the 4th Judicial District. You can search criminal records in person at the clerk's office, through state online databases, or by mail. The county courthouse was built in 1931 and sits in the center of the city of Schenectady.
Schenectady County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search Schenectady County Criminal Records
The Schenectady County Clerk at 620 State Street, 3rd Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305 is the main office for criminal records tied to County Court and Supreme Court cases. The clerk files and stores case documents for felony matters. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The phone number is (518) 388-4220. You can visit in person and look at public records at no charge under Judiciary Law 255. Copies cost a fee per page.
The Supreme and County Courts are at the Schenectady County Judicial Building, 612 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305. Jennifer Regan is the Chief Clerk, and Barbara Douglas is the Deputy Chief Clerk. The phone number is 518-285-8401. Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM. Email is 4JDSchenectadySC@nycourts.gov. This is where felony criminal cases are tried and where you can access felony case files.
For misdemeanors in the city of Schenectady, the Schenectady City Court Criminal Division at 531 Liberty Street handles those cases. The phone is 518-453-6989 (option 4). Chief Clerk is Rebecca I. Rose. Hours are 8 AM to 4 PM. City Court deals with misdemeanor criminal records, violations, and preliminary felony hearings. Town courts in the county also hear lesser criminal matters.
Online Criminal Records Search Options
Free online tools let you search Schenectady County criminal records from a computer. WebCrims shows active and pending criminal cases by name or case number. It covers the 4th Judicial District including Schenectady County. WebCrims does not show sealed cases or old closed matters. It works best for checking on a case that is still moving through court.
The eCourts portal gives broader access to court records. You can search by name, case number, or attorney. It pulls results from multiple courts in Schenectady County. Not all records show up here. Some older records have not been digitized yet.
The Schenectady County Clerk's office at 620 State Street maintains criminal records for County Court and Supreme Court cases.
For a full statewide search, use the Criminal History Record Search from the Office of Court Administration. It costs $95 per name and date of birth. Results come from every court level in all 62 counties. You get results the next business day. This is a name-based search. Sealed records will not show up. Town and village court data from before 2007 may be incomplete.
Criminal History and DCJS Records
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps fingerprint-based criminal history records. These are not the same as court records. DCJS records include arrest data, charges, and case outcomes linked to fingerprints. They are not public records. You cannot request someone else's DCJS record.
If you need your own criminal history from DCJS, use the Record Review program. Submit fingerprints through an approved vendor. The total cost is about $77.75. Results take 7 to 10 business days. You can get a suppressed version (without sealed records) or an unsuppressed version (with everything). Schenectady County residents can find fingerprinting sites in the local area.
Criminal Record Sealing in Schenectady County
Schenectady County courts follow state rules on sealing criminal records. When a case ends in dismissal or acquittal, records seal automatically under CPL 160.50. No motion is needed.
For convictions, CPL 160.59 lets a person 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. Youthful offender adjudications stay confidential under CPL 720.35.
The Clean Slate Act took effect 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.
Fees for Criminal Records
Costs vary depending on how you search. The County Clerk charges standard state fees. You can inspect records in person for free.
- CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
- DCJS personal record review: about $77.75
- Copy fees: varies by document type
- Filing fees: available on the county website
WebCrims and eCourts are free. If you need a Certificate of Disposition from Schenectady County Court, contact the County Clerk's office. The clerk charges based on page count and certification needs.
Court records in Schenectady County include criminal case files, bankruptcy records, and family court documents.
Public Access to Criminal Records
Most criminal court records in Schenectady County are public. Court records are governed by Judiciary Law 255, which requires clerks to search their records and give copies when asked and paid. You do not need to be a party to the case.
Some records are restricted. Sealed cases under CPL 160.50 and CPL 160.59 cannot be accessed. Family Court records, juvenile cases, and youthful offender adjudications are confidential. Not all criminal records are public through DCJS either. Only record holders and certain authorized parties can access those fingerprint-based records. If a request is denied, the Committee on Open Government can help.
Sex Offender Registry
The Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders in Schenectady County by name, county, or zip code. It is free. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders show up. Level 1 offenders are only available by calling 1-800-262-3257.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The DOCCS website has an inmate lookup tool for people in state prison or on parole. This covers people sentenced in Schenectady County. The Schenectady County jail holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. Contact the jail directly for current inmate info.
Cities in Schenectady County
Schenectady County's largest city has its own page with detailed criminal records information.
- Schenectady - County seat. Schenectady City Court handles misdemeanor criminal records at 531 Liberty Street.
Other towns in Schenectady County, like Niskayuna, Rotterdam, and Glenville, have their own town courts that handle local criminal matters. Records from those courts feed into the county system.
Nearby Counties
Schenectady County is in the Capital District. If you need criminal records from surrounding areas, each county has its own courts and clerk's office.