Search St. Lawrence County Criminal Records
Criminal records in St. Lawrence County are kept by the County Clerk at 48 Court Street in Canton, the Sheriff's Office, and several local courts spread across this large northern New York county. St. Lawrence County sits near the Canadian border and covers a wide area, which means court records can come from many different town and village courts in addition to the main County Court. The County Clerk files felony records from County Court and Supreme Court, while misdemeanor and violation cases stay with the local courts that heard them. You can search St. Lawrence County criminal records in person, by mail, or through state online tools that pull data from courts across the county.
St. Lawrence County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search St. Lawrence County Criminal Records
The St. Lawrence County Clerk at 48 Court Street, Canton, NY 13617 is the main place to find criminal records for felony cases tried in County Court or Supreme Court. The clerk keeps files, records, and indexes for all legal actions heard in those courts. You can visit in person during office hours, which run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The phone number is (315) 379-2237. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can help you find and inspect public records at no charge under Judiciary Law 255.
For misdemeanor and lesser criminal matters, the local town or village court that heard the case holds those records. St. Lawrence County has many town courts across its large area. The city of Ogdensburg also has its own City Court that handles misdemeanors and preliminary felony hearings. If you are not sure which court has the records you need, start with the County Clerk or call the Sheriff's Office at (315) 379-2222.
The Court Records section of the County Clerk's website explains how to request criminal case files. Every file must have an index number. Criminal records from the County Clerk include indictments, pleas, trial results, and sentencing data. Only felony convictions are filed with the clerk. Sealed records can only be seen by the people involved in the case or their lawyers.
Online Criminal Records Search
You can search St. Lawrence County criminal records online for free using WebCrims. This state tool shows active and pending criminal cases by name or case number. It pulls data from courts across the state, including those in St. Lawrence County. WebCrims does not show sealed cases or old closed matters.
The eCourts portal gives wider access to court records. You can search by name, case number, or attorney. It covers multiple courts in St. Lawrence County. The system is free. Not all record types show up, and some older records may not be in the system yet.
The St. Lawrence County Clerk's website provides access to court records and public documents.
The County Clerk also offers an online records search at searchiqs.com/NYSTL. This system gives access to land records, court records, and other public documents. For help with the online portal, call IQS at 1-800-320-2617. You can also sign up for fraud alerts that notify you when documents are recorded under your name.
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, not a fingerprint check. Sealed records will not appear. Town and village court data from before 2007 may be incomplete.
Criminal History and DCJS Records
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps fingerprint-based criminal history records. These are separate from court records. DCJS records include arrest data, charges, and case outcomes tied to a set of fingerprints. They are not public. You cannot get someone else's DCJS record through a FOIL request.
To get your own criminal history from DCJS, use the Record Review program. You submit fingerprints through an approved vendor. The total cost is about $77.75. Results take 7 to 10 business days. You can ask for a suppressed version that hides sealed records, or an unsuppressed version that shows all records. St. Lawrence County residents can find fingerprinting sites in the Canton and Ogdensburg area.
Criminal Record Sealing in St. Lawrence County
New York law gives people several ways to get criminal records sealed. St. Lawrence County courts follow the same state rules as every other county.
When a case ends in dismissal or acquittal, the records seal automatically under CPL 160.50. No one has to file a motion. The court and police seal their files. The case will not show up in a public search after that. This applies to cases in County Court, Ogdensburg City Court, and all town and village courts in St. Lawrence County.
For convictions, CPL 160.59 lets a person ask to seal up to two convictions after a 10-year wait. Only one can be a felony. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, and violent felonies do not qualify. The court looks at the facts and decides whether to grant the request. Youthful offender adjudications stay confidential under CPL 720.35 and will not show in public criminal record searches.
The Clean Slate Act took effect on November 16, 2024. It provides for automatic sealing of some criminal records without any application needed. Misdemeanor convictions seal 3 years after the sentence ends. Felony convictions seal after 8 years. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, violent felonies, and homicides are not eligible. DCJS handles the process for all counties, including St. Lawrence.
Fees for Criminal Records in St. Lawrence County
Costs depend on how you search and what you need. The County Clerk charges standard fees set by state law. You can inspect records in person for free but must pay for copies.
- CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
- DCJS personal record review: about $77.75
- County clerk name search: $5.00 per name
- Copy fees: $0.65 per page
- Judgment filing: $10.00
WebCrims and eCourts are free to use. They show case info on screen but do not provide certified copies. If you need a Certificate of Disposition from St. Lawrence County Court, request one through the County Clerk's office. The clerk will charge based on the number of pages and whether you need certification.
Public Access to Criminal Records
Most criminal court records in St. Lawrence County are public. New York's Freedom of Information Law, set out in Public Officers Law Article 6, creates a broad right to see government records. Court records fall under Judiciary Law 255, which says clerks must search their records and provide copies when asked and paid. You do not need to be a party to the case.
Some records are not available. Sealed cases under CPL 160.50 and CPL 160.59 are off limits. Family Court records, juvenile cases, and youthful offender adjudications are confidential. Grand jury proceedings are secret. Active investigation files held by local police or the District Attorney may also be withheld. If a records request is denied, the Committee on Open Government can help you figure out your options.
Court records in St. Lawrence County can be accessed through online portals and the County Clerk's office in Canton.
Sex Offender Registry
New York runs a public sex offender registry through DCJS. The Sex Offender Registry lets you search by name, county, or zip code. You can look up registered offenders in St. Lawrence County at no cost. The registry shows Level 2 and Level 3 offenders. Level 1 offenders are only available by calling the registry hotline at 1-800-262-3257.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision keeps records for people in state prison or on parole. The DOCCS website has an inmate lookup tool. This covers people sentenced in St. Lawrence County who are in state custody. The St. Lawrence County jail holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. Contact the Sheriff's Office at (315) 379-2222 for information on current inmates.
Nearby Counties
St. Lawrence County borders several other counties in northern New York. If you need criminal records from surrounding areas, each county has its own court system and clerk's office.