Yates County Criminal Records Search
Criminal records in Yates County are managed by the County Clerk at 417 Liberty Street, Suite 1107, Penn Yan, NY 14527. The clerk's office handles court filings, record searches, and public access to case documents from County Court, Supreme Court, and other courts in the county. You can search Yates County criminal records in person, through state online tools, or by mail. The county has a deep historical record, with town and village court records at the New York State Archives going back to 1798. The Sheriff's Office at 227 Main Street also maintains arrest records and can help with criminal history inquiries.
Yates County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search Yates County Criminal Records
The Yates County Clerk's Office at 417 Liberty Street, Suite 1107, Penn Yan, NY 14527 is the main place to search for criminal records. Call (315) 536-5120. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The clerk handles court documents, land records, and vital statistics. You can walk in and inspect public records at no cost under Judiciary Law 255. Name searches cost $5.00 per name per two-year period. Copies are $0.65 per page.
Yates County Court handles felony criminal cases. Family Court deals with custody, support, and protection orders. Surrogate's Court handles wills and estates. The county also runs Youth Court and Drug Court programs that take a community-based approach to justice. These specialized courts focus on rehabilitation and may have separate privacy rules for their records.
The Yates County Sheriff's Office at 227 Main Street, Penn Yan, NY 14527 maintains arrest records and booking information. Call (315) 536-4438. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The sheriff handles arrest record requests and can provide information about recent arrests and current inmates at the county jail.
Online Criminal Records Search
WebCrims shows active criminal cases in Yates County for free. Search by defendant name or case number. It covers courts in the 7th Judicial District. No account is needed. Sealed and old closed cases will not show up.
Yates County court records can be searched through state online tools and the County Clerk's office in Penn Yan.
The eCourts portal provides wider access to Yates County court records. Search by name, case number, or attorney. It is free. NYSCEF covers electronic filing for participating courts. Not all record types appear, and older cases may not be online.
A statewide search through the Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name and date of birth. It covers all 62 counties. Results come the next business day. Sealed records are excluded. Town and village court data from before 2007 may have gaps in the database.
Historical Criminal Records
Yates County has some of the oldest court records in the Finger Lakes region. The New York State Archives holds town and village records from Yates County going back to 1798. The collection covers nine towns: Barrington, Benton, Italy, Jerusalem, Middlesex, Milo, Potter, Starkey, and Torrey. Village records from Dresden, Dundee, Penn Yan, and Rushville are also included.
The archived materials include town clerk's record books, tax assessment rolls, court records, and cemetery records. Civil and criminal justice dockets show names, offenses, and dispositions. Date ranges vary by town and village, stretching from 1798 to 1993. Naturalization certificate stubs from 1907 to 1926 are in the collection too. Post-1976 criminal case dockets are restricted and require archivist assistance to access. Security copies are on microfilm at the State Records Center.
Criminal History and DCJS
DCJS keeps fingerprint-based criminal history records for the whole state. They are not public. You cannot get another person's DCJS record. For your own rap sheet, use the Record Review program. Submit fingerprints and pay about $77.75. Results come in 7 to 10 business days.
Yates County residents can find approved fingerprinting locations through DCJS. The DOCCS inmate lookup is a separate free tool for checking on people in state prison. For county jail inmates, contact the sheriff at (315) 536-4438.
Criminal Record Sealing Laws
Dismissed and acquitted cases seal on their own under CPL 160.50. No motion is needed. Court and police files are sealed. The person can say the arrest never happened.
CPL 160.59 allows a person to apply for conviction sealing after 10 years from sentencing or release. Up to two convictions can be sealed, with only one being a felony. Sex offenses, violent felonies, and Class A felonies are excluded. The application needs a sworn statement, certified disposition, fingerprints, and rehabilitation documentation. The DA has 45 days to file objections. Even after sealing, law enforcement, licensing boards, and DOCCS retain access per CPL 160.59(9). Youthful offender adjudications are confidential under CPL 720.35.
The Clean Slate Act started November 16, 2024. Misdemeanors seal 3 years after sentencing or release. Felonies seal after 8 years. Sex offenses, violent felonies, Class A felonies, and homicides are not covered. DCJS runs the process statewide.
Fees for Criminal Records
Costs at the Yates County Clerk's office follow state fee schedules. Free inspection of public records is available in person.
- Name search: $5.00 per name per two-year period
- Copies: $0.65 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 to $10.00 per document
- CHRS statewide search: $95.00
- DCJS record review: about $77.75
WebCrims and eCourts are free online tools. They show case info on screen but do not issue certified copies. For a Certificate of Disposition, go through the County Clerk at 417 Liberty Street.
Public Access to Records
Criminal court records in Yates County are generally public. Public Officers Law Article 6 gives a right to inspect government records. Court records fall under Judiciary Law 255. You do not have to be part of the case. Call ahead to verify what records are available and whether you need an appointment.
Sealed records are off limits. Family Court files, juvenile matters, youthful offender adjudications, and domestic violence victim information are confidential. Confidential business info in court files may also be restricted. The Committee on Open Government can help if a request is turned down. The county bar association is another resource for legal questions about records access.
Sex Offender Registry
The Sex Offender Registry lets you find registered offenders in Yates County for free. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders appear online. Level 1 info is only available by calling 1-800-262-3257.
Resources for accessing Yates County criminal records through state databases and local offices.
Nearby Counties
Yates County is in the heart of the Finger Lakes. Neighboring counties each have their own courts and clerks for criminal records.