Suffolk County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Suffolk County are the official documents created when law enforcement detains a person and books them into custody. These records are central to criminal case processing and serve as oversight, accountability, and background verification tools. In New York, public access to arrest records is governed by the New York Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law §§ 84-90, or "FOIL") and by provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law. While many arrest records are available to the public, statutes such as CPL §§ 160.50 and 160.55 impose restrictions, especially when cases are dismissed, resolved in favor of the accused, or sealed by court order. Arrest records in Suffolk County are used by courts, law enforcement, attorneys, and members of the public to monitor criminal proceedings and to evaluate an individual's legal history.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in New York?

Yes, arrest records in New York are generally public, subject to statutory exemptions. FOIL establishes a presumption of public access, but Criminal Procedure Law provisions limit disclosure when records are sealed. Under CPL § 160.50, arrests that end in acquittal, dismissal, or another favorable termination must be sealed. CPL § 160.55 seals records after convictions for certain non-criminal violations. CPL § 160.59 further allows the sealing of up to two eligible convictions, including one felony, at least ten years after sentencing or release.

Certain information remains unavailable to the public regardless of case status. Juvenile arrest records are confidential under the Family Court Act, and youthful offender adjudications are automatically sealed. Ongoing investigation details, law enforcement techniques, and victim or witness identities are also protected.

Suffolk County Arrest Search

Arrest records in Suffolk County may be accessed through both local and statewide systems. The Suffolk County Police Department maintains arrest and incident reports. Requests for these documents may be submitted under FOIL to the department's Records Section. Applications should include the individual's name, date of birth, approximate arrest date, and report number (if known). A fee of $0.25 per page applies, with additional charges for certified copies.

Court-level records are managed by the Suffolk County District Court and the Suffolk County Supreme Court (Criminal Term). Members of the public can review criminal case files unless sealed. Online searches for pending criminal cases are available through WebCrims, a statewide portal maintained by the New York Unified Court System. WebCrims provides free access to case status and upcoming court dates by defendant name.

For certified copies of records, requests may be directed to:

At the state level, the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) provides criminal history record checks. These fingerprint-based searches are available to individuals seeking their own records through the IdentoGO system. The fee is $13.75 for fingerprinting plus $62.00 for the state background check.

Suffolk County Inmate Locator

The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office operates two jail facilities: the Riverhead Correctional Facility and the Yaphank Correctional Facility. The Sheriff provides an online Inmate Lookup Service where the public can search by name to obtain booking information, charges, bail status, and custody location.

Arrest and booking reports may also be requested by contacting:

Requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or online. Identification is required, and fees apply for copies.

Active Warrant Search in Suffolk County

An arrest warrant is a judicial order authorizing law enforcement to take an individual into custody. In Suffolk County, warrants are issued by the District Court or Supreme Court and executed by the Suffolk County Police Department or Sheriff's Office.

Warrant information is not available through a public online search. However, inquiries may be made by contacting:

Due to safety and privacy concerns, agencies may confirm whether a warrant exists but will not disclose full details by phone.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Suffolk County

Several resources provide free access to Suffolk County arrest information:

• Suffolk County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup, which lists current inmates by name.
• WebCrims, which provides free access to pending criminal case status and court appearances statewide.
• On-site court kiosks, located at Suffolk County courthouses, where unsealed criminal dockets may be viewed without charge.

Certified reports, police incident reports, and statewide background checks require fees.

Suffolk County Arrest Report

An arrest report is a narrative prepared by law enforcement at the time of an arrest. It describes the incident, the officer's observations, evidence collected, and witness statements. By contrast, an arrest record is a summary showing that the arrest occurred, including personal details, charges, and custody status. Arrest reports provide context; arrest records confirm the legal fact of detention.

How to Get Arrest Records Sealed or Expunged in Suffolk County

New York law does not provide for traditional expungement. Instead, records may be sealed under specific Criminal Procedure Law provisions:

• CPL § 160.50 - Sealing after dismissal, acquittal, or favorable termination.
• CPL § 160.55 - Sealing after conviction for a non-criminal violation.
• CPL § 160.59 - Sealing up to two eligible convictions (one felony and one misdemeanor) after ten years.

Motions to seal are filed with the Suffolk County Supreme Court or District Court, depending on where the case was heard. The Suffolk County Clerk's Office provides filing assistance. Once sealed, records are removed from public access, though some government agencies retain limited access.

Juvenile records are sealed under the Family Court Act, and youthful offender adjudications are automatically treated as confidential.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records from the Internet?

The most effective way to remove arrest information from the internet is to obtain a sealing order under CPL §§ 160.50, 160.55, or 160.59. Once sealed, courts and law enforcement are prohibited from releasing the information, reducing the chance of further online publication.

Private third-party websites may still display outdated records. Individuals may submit removal requests to the sites directly, often with proof of a sealing order. Search engines like Google also provide a "Remove Outdated Content" tool for eliminating cached versions of sealed records.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Unless sealed, Suffolk County arrest records may include:

• Full name of the arrested individual
• Date and time of arrest
• Arresting agency (e.g., Suffolk County Police Department, local precinct, or Sheriff)
• Booking number or arrest ID
• Charges filed or alleged offenses
• Bail or bond status
• Case number (if filed with the court)
• Current custody status and facility location

Sensitive details, such as juvenile files, sealed cases, and victim or witness information, are excluded from public release.