Rockland Public Records /Rockland County Criminal Records

Rockland County Criminal Records

What Is Rockland County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Rockland County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records serve as the official history of arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions maintained by various law enforcement and judicial agencies throughout Rockland County, New York.

Criminal records typically include several distinct categories of information:

Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by the Rockland County Sheriff's Office or local police departments
Booking Information: Details collected during processing at county detention facilities
Court Records: Documentation of arraignments, hearings, trials, and case dispositions
Correctional Records: Information regarding incarceration, probation, or parole

Pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 87, criminal records are categorized according to the severity of the offense:

Felony Records: Documenting serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
Misdemeanor Records: Pertaining to less severe offenses typically punishable by up to one year of incarceration
Violation Records: Concerning minor infractions that may result in fines or brief jail terms

It is important to note the distinction between adult and juvenile records. While adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public, juvenile records (individuals under 18) are typically sealed under New York Family Court Act § 375.1 to protect the privacy and future prospects of young offenders.

The primary agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Rockland County include:

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

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

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

Are Criminal Records Public In Rockland County

Criminal records in Rockland County are generally considered public information in accordance with the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), which is codified under Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, should be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

The New York Public Officers Law § 87(2) states: "Each agency shall, in accordance with its published rules, make available for public inspection and copying all records," establishing the foundation for public access to criminal records. However, this right of access is not absolute and contains important limitations.

Records that are publicly accessible in Rockland County typically include:

Adult arrest records (post-arraignment)
Court proceedings and calendars
Criminal convictions
Incarceration records
Sex offender registry information

Conversely, certain categories of criminal records remain restricted from public disclosure:

Active criminal investigations
Records sealed by court order
Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
Records where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Records that could endanger the life or safety of any person

The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) maintains the official criminal history record repository for the state, including Rockland County. Under Criminal Procedure Law § 160.40, law enforcement agencies are required to forward fingerprints and other identifying information to the Division of Criminal Justice Services for inclusion in this repository.

It is worth noting that while criminal records are legally accessible, practical barriers may exist, including agency-specific request procedures, processing times, and applicable fees for reproduction of documents.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Rockland County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Rockland County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each with specific procedures and limitations.

For in-person requests at the Rockland County Clerk's Office:

Visit the County Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
Complete a records request form, providing specific information about the case or individual
Present valid government-issued photo identification
Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $15.00 for a name search plus $0.65 per page for copies)
Allow processing time, which varies based on the complexity of the request

For mail-based requests to the Rockland County Sheriff's Office:

Prepare a written request including the subject's full name, date of birth, and specific information sought
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
Enclose a certified check or money order for applicable fees
Mail the complete package to the Records Division at the Sheriff's Office address
Allow 10-15 business days for processing

For criminal case information from the Rockland County District Attorney's Office:

Submit a FOIL request via the Rockland County FOIL Portal
Specify the case number, defendant name, and information requested
Provide contact information for response delivery
Receive acknowledgment within five business days
Allow up to 20 business days for a substantive response

For statewide criminal history information:

Submit a request to the New York State Office of Court Administration
Complete the Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) application
Include the required $95.00 fee per name search
Provide fingerprints if requesting a personal record check
Allow 7-10 business days for processing

Pursuant to New York Correction Law § 168-p, the public may also access the Sex Offender Registry maintained by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services for information about registered sex offenders residing in Rockland County.

How To Find Criminal Records in Rockland County Online?

Rockland County offers several digital platforms that provide public access to criminal records information. These online resources vary in scope, content, and accessibility requirements.

The New York State Unified Court System WebCrims portal serves as the primary online resource for accessing criminal case information in Rockland County. This system provides:

Case status and appearance dates
Charge information
Court calendar details
Case dispositions
Judge assignments

To utilize WebCrims effectively:

Navigate to the WebCrims portal
Select "Rockland County" from the jurisdiction menu
Enter search criteria (case number, defendant name)
Review the results displayed
Note that historical cases may have limited information

The Rockland County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup provides current information about individuals in custody at the Rockland County Correctional Facility, including:

Inmate name and booking number
Current charges
Bond information
Scheduled release dates (when available)
Court appearance dates

For sex offender information, the New York State Sex Offender Registry allows searches by:

Name
County of residence
Zip code
Risk level

Additional online resources include:

New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Inmate Lookup for state prison inmates
New York State Office of Court Administration Criminal History Record Search for statewide criminal history information ($95.00 fee applies)
Rockland County District Attorney's Case Status Portal for information on current prosecutions

Users should note that online systems may not contain complete historical records, particularly for cases predating digital record-keeping. Additionally, some sensitive information may be redacted from online versions of records that would be available in full through in-person requests.

Can You Search Rockland County Criminal Records for Free?

Rockland County residents and members of the public have several options for accessing criminal records without payment, though free access is typically limited to basic information or on-site inspection.

Pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii), agencies may charge fees for copies of records but must permit in-person inspection at no cost: "each agency shall... permit persons to examine and copy all records, except that such agency may charge a fee in accordance with section eighty-seven of this article."

Free access options include:

In-person inspection at the Rockland County Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). While inspection is free, identification is required, and staff assistance may be limited.
Rockland County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup provides free online access to current inmate information, including charges and custody status.
New York State Sex Offender Registry offers free searches for registered sex offenders residing in Rockland County.
WebCrims Public Access Terminal located at the Rockland County Courthouse provides free on-site access to the court's electronic case management system.
Criminal court calendars are posted daily at the courthouse and can be viewed without charge.
Local newspaper police blotters often publish recent arrest information at no cost to readers.

It is important to note that while basic inspection may be free, the following services typically incur fees:

Certified copies of court documents ($10.00 per document)
Background checks ($95.00 through NY Office of Court Administration)
Extensive record searches requiring staff research time
Copies exceeding 25 pages ($0.25 per page after first 25 pages)
Expedited processing requests

The New York State Committee on Open Government provides guidance on fee structures and can assist with questions regarding reasonable charges for record access.

What's Included in a Rockland County Criminal Record?

Criminal records maintained in Rockland County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records is standardized in accordance with New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10, which establishes requirements for fingerprinting and record-keeping.

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, distinguishing features)
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer
Booking number and facility
Charges filed at arrest (including statute numbers)
Bail or bond information
Detention facility assignment

Court Case Information:

Court case/docket number
Court of jurisdiction (Village, Town, County, or Supreme Court)
Filing date and arraignment details
Formal charges filed by prosecutor
Classification of charges (felony class A-E, misdemeanor class A-B, violation)
Defense attorney information
Judge assignments
Hearing and trial dates

Disposition Information:

Plea entered
Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms and facility
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines, restitution, and court costs
- Mandatory programs or treatment
Appeal information (if applicable)
Probation/parole status and conditions

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Orders of protection
Sex offender registration requirements
DWI/DUI history
Traffic infractions connected to criminal cases
Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Prior criminal history within Rockland County

The comprehensiveness of records may vary based on the age of the case, with more recent cases typically containing more detailed information due to improved digital record-keeping practices implemented over time.

How Long Does Rockland County Keep Criminal Records?

Rockland County adheres to the New York State Records Retention and Disposition Schedule established by the State Archives for the maintenance and eventual disposition of criminal records. This schedule, authorized under Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 57.25, prescribes specific retention periods for various categories of criminal justice records.

The retention periods for key criminal record components are as follows:

Arrest Records: Maintained permanently for felonies; 25 years for misdemeanors; 5 years for violations and traffic infractions
Booking Information and Mugshots: Retained for 10 years following the death of the individual or 90 years after date of birth, whichever occurs first
Criminal Case Files:
- Felony cases: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor cases: 25 years after case closure
- Violation/traffic infraction cases: 5 years after case closure
- Dismissed/acquitted cases: 6 months after final disposition (unless sealed)
Court Records:
- Judgment rolls: Permanent retention
- Trial transcripts: 25 years
- Court calendars: 5 years
- Exhibits: Returned after appeals exhausted or destroyed after 10 years
Correctional Facility Records:
- Inmate case files: 10 years after release or discharge
- Visitor logs: 3 years
- Disciplinary records: 3 years after inmate's release
Sex Offender Registration Information: Maintained for the duration of registration requirement (20 years to lifetime, depending on offense level)
Sealed Records: Pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records of cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal are sealed and not accessible to the public, though they remain in existence for law enforcement purposes
Juvenile Records: Generally sealed upon reaching adulthood unless the individual was adjudicated as a juvenile delinquent for a designated felony

It is important to note that while records may be officially retained for the periods specified, practical accessibility may diminish for older records, particularly those predating digital record-keeping systems. Additionally, records scheduled for destruction may be retained longer if they become subject to legal holds or ongoing litigation.

Lookup Criminal Records in Rockland County

Rockland County Sheriff's Office

New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Incarcerated Lookup

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