Rockland County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Rockland County

Arrest records in Rockland County are considered public information pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified under New York Public Officers Law § 87. This statute establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, are presumptively available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

The distinction between arrest records and conviction records is significant under New York law. An arrest record documents the apprehension and charging of an individual but does not indicate guilt. Conviction records, conversely, document the formal adjudication of guilt following legal proceedings. Pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records of arrests that do not result in convictions may be sealed under certain circumstances, restricting public access.

Law enforcement agencies in Rockland County, including the Rockland County Sheriff's Office and local police departments, maintain arrest records in accordance with state regulations. While these records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or juvenile records as provided under New York Family Court Act § 381.3.

Rockland County Clerk's Office
1 South Main Street, Suite 100
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5221
Rockland County Clerk

What's in Rockland County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by Rockland County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about individuals taken into custody. The content of these records is standardized in accordance with New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services guidelines. A complete arrest record generally includes:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

• Full legal name and any known aliases
• Date of birth and age at time of arrest
• Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
• Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
• Residential address
• Photograph (mugshot)
• Fingerprints

Arrest Details:

• Date, time, and location of arrest
• Arresting agency and officer identification
• Circumstances leading to arrest
• Whether arrest was made pursuant to warrant or probable cause

Charge Information:

• Criminal offenses charged
• Statutory citations for each charge
• Classification of offenses (felony, misdemeanor, violation)
• Description of alleged criminal activity

Warrant Information (if applicable):

• Warrant number and issuing court
• Date of issuance
• Judge who signed the warrant
• Basis for warrant issuance

Booking Information:

• Processing location and time
• Property inventory
• Medical screening results
• Detention facility assignment

Bond/Bail Information:

• Bail amount set
• Bond type (cash, secured, unsecured)
• Whether bail was posted
• Conditions of release if applicable

Court Information:

• Arraignment date and location
• Assigned judge
• Case/docket number
• Scheduled court appearances

Custody Status:

• Current detention status
• Release date if applicable
• Probation or parole information

Additional Information May Include:

• Prior criminal history
• Known associates
• Vehicle information
• Employment information
• Immigration status

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Rockland County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Rockland County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for accessing arrest records:

1. Submit a FOIL Request: Individuals may submit a Freedom of Information Law request to the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest. Requests must be in writing and should include:

   • Requestor's full name and contact information
   • Specific information sought (name of arrestee, date of arrest, case number if known)
   • Preferred format for receiving records

2. Visit the Arresting Agency: In-person requests may be made at the records division of the relevant police department or the Rockland County Sheriff's Office.

Rockland County Sheriff's Office
55 New Hempstead Road
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5400
Rockland County Sheriff's Office

3. Contact the District Attorney's Office: For cases in prosecution, limited information may be available through:

Rockland County District Attorney's Office
1 South Main Street, Suite 500
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5001
Rockland County District Attorney

4. Check Court Records: The Rockland County Clerk's Office maintains records of criminal proceedings:

Rockland County Courthouse
1 South Main Street
New City, NY 10956
(845) 483-8300
Rockland County Courts

5. Submit Identification: Requestors may need to provide identification when requesting records, particularly if seeking records about themselves.

6. Pay Applicable Fees: Agencies may charge reasonable fees for document reproduction pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii).

How To Find Rockland County Arrest Records Online

Rockland County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest record information electronically. The following online methods are currently available:

1. Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup: The Rockland County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides information about currently incarcerated individuals and recent arrests.

2. New York State WebCrims: The New York State Unified Court System offers WebCrims, a database that allows searches of pending criminal cases in participating counties, including Rockland.

3. New York State Police Blotter Reports: The NYSP Blotter Reports provide information about recent arrests made by State Police in Rockland County.

4. New York State Department of Corrections Inmate Lookup: For individuals sentenced to state prison, the NYS DOCCS Inmate Lookup provides custody information.

5. Online FOIL Request Portal: Some Rockland County agencies accept electronic FOIL requests through their websites. The Rockland County Government website provides links to department-specific FOIL procedures.

When conducting online searches, users should note that:

• Information may be limited compared to official records
• Recent arrests may not appear immediately in online systems
• Some systems require registration or payment
• Certain sensitive cases may be excluded from online access

How To Search Rockland County Arrest Records for Free?

Rockland County residents and other interested parties may access certain arrest record information without payment through several authorized channels:

1. Public Access Terminals: The Rockland County Clerk's Office provides public access computer terminals where visitors may search court records at no charge during regular business hours:

Rockland County Clerk's Office
1 South Main Street, Suite 100
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5221
Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Rockland County Clerk

2. Law Enforcement Agency Websites: Several police departments in Rockland County maintain free online arrest logs or police blotters, including:

   • Clarkstown Police Department
   • Orangetown Police Department
   • Ramapo Police Department

3. Local Library Resources: Public libraries in Rockland County often provide free access to public records databases:

Rockland County Public Library System
Rockland County Library System

4. Media Reports: Local news outlets regularly publish arrest information based on police reports:

   • Rockland County Times
   • Journal News/LoHud

5. New York State Police Blotter: The NYSP Blotter Reports provides free access to recent arrest information.

While these resources are available without charge, users should be aware that:

• Free resources may not contain complete arrest record information
• Records may not be updated as frequently as paid services
• Some information may be redacted in publicly available versions
• Verification of information may require official record requests

How To Delete Arrest Records in Rockland County

New York State law provides specific mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of arrest records under certain circumstances. The distinction between these processes is significant:

Sealing: Restricts public access to records but preserves them for limited official use. Expungement: Complete destruction or deletion of records (limited availability in New York).

Pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59, individuals may be eligible to have certain criminal records sealed if:

1. At least 10 years have passed since the individual's last criminal conviction
2. The individual has no more than two misdemeanor convictions or one felony and one misdemeanor conviction
3. The conviction is not for a sex offense, violent felony, or certain other excluded offenses

For arrests that did not result in conviction, New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 provides for automatic sealing when:

• The case was dismissed
• The prosecution declined to file charges
• The individual was acquitted at trial
• The conviction was vacated

The process for seeking record sealing typically involves:

1. Obtain Certificate of Disposition: Request this document from the court where the case was adjudicated.

Rockland County Court
1 South Main Street
New City, NY 10956
(845) 483-8300
Rockland County Courts

2. Complete Application: File a sealing application with the court that handled the case.

3. Notification: The District Attorney's Office will be notified and may oppose the application.

4. Judicial Review: A judge will review the application and may schedule a hearing.

5. Court Order: If approved, the court will issue an order directing all agencies to seal relevant records.

Legal assistance is strongly recommended for individuals seeking to seal criminal records. The Legal Aid Society of Rockland County provides services to eligible residents.

What Happens After Arrest in Rockland County?

Following an arrest in Rockland County, individuals enter a standardized criminal justice process governed by New York State law. This process typically progresses through several distinct phases:

1. Booking and Processing: Upon arrest, individuals are transported to a police station or the Rockland County Jail for processing, which includes:

   • Photographing and fingerprinting
   • Personal property inventory
   • Medical screening
   • Background check
   • Initial paperwork completion

2. Arraignment: Within 24 hours of arrest, defendants appear before a judge for arraignment, where:

   • Charges are formally presented
   • Constitutional rights are explained
   • Legal representation is arranged if needed
   • Bail or release decisions are made
   • Temporary orders of protection may be issued

3. Preliminary Hearing: For felony cases, a preliminary hearing may be held to determine if sufficient evidence exists to proceed.

4. Grand Jury: Serious felony cases in Rockland County are typically presented to a grand jury, which determines whether to issue an indictment.

5. Pre-Trial Proceedings: Before trial, several proceedings may occur:

   • Discovery (exchange of evidence)
   • Motion hearings
   • Plea negotiations
   • Pre-trial conferences

6. Trial: If no plea agreement is reached, the case proceeds to trial, which may be:

   • Bench trial (judge only)
   • Jury trial (for misdemeanors and felonies)

7. Sentencing: Following conviction, sentencing occurs based on:

   • New York State sentencing guidelines
   • Pre-sentence investigation reports
   • Victim impact statements
   • Defendant's criminal history

8. Post-Conviction: After sentencing, individuals may:

   • Serve jail or prison time
   • Complete probation requirements
   • Pay fines and restitution
   • Participate in court-ordered programs

Throughout this process, the Rockland County District Attorney's Office prosecutes cases, while defendants may be represented by private counsel or the Rockland County Public Defender's Office:

Rockland County Public Defender
11 New Hempstead Road
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5660
Rockland County Public Defender

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Rockland County?

Arrest records in Rockland County are maintained according to retention schedules established by the New York State Archives Records Retention and Disposition Schedule LGS-1, pursuant to New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 57.25. These schedules mandate specific retention periods based on record type and disposition of the case.

The standard retention periods for arrest records in Rockland County include:

• Arrest Reports: Permanent retention for felony arrests; 5 years after case closure for misdemeanors
• Booking Information: 5 years after the individual's release from custody
• Fingerprint Cards: 5 years after death of individual or 90 years after date of creation
• Mugshot Photographs: 5 years after death of individual or 90 years after date of creation
• Investigation Files: 7 years after case closure for solved cases; permanent retention for unsolved felonies
• Incident Reports: 5 years for reports not resulting in arrest

Different agencies within Rockland County maintain separate record systems with varying retention requirements:

• The Rockland County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for individuals processed through the county jail
• Municipal police departments maintain records of arrests within their jurisdictions
• The District Attorney's Office maintains prosecution records
• The County Clerk maintains court records of criminal proceedings

Records retention serves several critical public functions, including:

• Preserving evidence for potential appeals or post-conviction proceedings
• Maintaining documentation for background checks and security clearances
• Ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies
• Supporting statistical analysis of crime patterns
• Facilitating research and policy development

Individuals seeking information about specific record retention should contact the agency that created and maintains the record.

How to Find Mugshots in Rockland County

What Mugshots Are

Mugshots, or booking photographs, are official photographs taken during the arrest booking process. In Rockland County, these images are captured as part of standard arrest documentation and serve to visually identify individuals in custody. Typically, mugshots include front-facing and profile views of the arrestee.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained

Mugshots in Rockland County are primarily maintained by:

1. The arresting law enforcement agency (local police departments)
2. The Rockland County Sheriff's Office for individuals processed at the county jail
3. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services as part of the state's criminal history repository

Finding Mugshots

Individuals seeking mugshots in Rockland County may:

1. Submit a FOIL request to the arresting agency, specifically requesting booking photographs
2. Contact the Rockland County Sheriff's Office Records Division:

Rockland County Sheriff's Office Records Division
55 New Hempstead Road
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5466
Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Rockland County Sheriff's Office

3. Check court records if the mugshot was entered as evidence in a criminal proceeding

Can They Be Found Online

Limited mugshot information may be available online through:

1. The Rockland County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system (current inmates only)
2. Third-party websites that aggregate public record information (not officially sanctioned)
3. Media reports of significant arrests

Obtaining Mugshots Officially

To officially obtain mugshots, requestors should:

1. Identify the agency holding the record
2. Submit a written FOIL request including:
   • Full name of the individual
   • Date of arrest if known
   • Case or arrest number if available
   • Requestor's contact information
3. Pay applicable fees for reproduction (typically $0.25 per page)
4. Provide identification if requesting one's own mugshot

Restrictions on Mugshot Access

Access to mugshots in Rockland County is subject to several restrictions:

1. Juvenile mugshots (under age 18) are generally confidential under New York Family Court Act § 381.3
2. Records sealed pursuant to court order are not publicly accessible
3. Agencies may redact or withhold mugshots if release would:
   • Interfere with ongoing investigations
   • Constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
   • Endanger the life or safety of any person
4. New York State has enacted legislation restricting the commercial use of mugshots

Lookup Arrest Records in Rockland County

Rockland County Sheriff's Office

NYSP Blotter Reports