Access Albany Felony Records

Albany felony records are filed through the Albany County court system in the state capital. As the seat of both city and county government, Albany sits in the 3rd Judicial District and has direct access to county, state, and federal courts all within a few blocks. Felony arrests by the Albany Police Department start in Albany City Court and move to Albany County Court for prosecution, and this page explains each step of finding those records.

Albany County Court and Felony Records

Albany County Court handles all felony prosecutions from the city. The Albany County Clerk's Office is the official keeper of court records. Their office sits at the Albany County Courthouse, 16 Eagle Street, Room 128, Albany, NY 12207. Phone: (518) 487-5100. They hold criminal case files going back decades, with many now digitized for easier access.

The County Clerk stores several types of felony records. These include arrest records, indictments, plea records, conviction records, and sentencing orders. The office also holds files for Supreme Court and County Court civil matters. Historical records date back to 1788, making this one of the older record repositories in New York.

Albany City Court handles the first steps of a felony case. The judge there does the arraignment, sets bail, and holds a preliminary hearing. Once a grand jury indicts, the case goes to County Court. City Court records stay with the city, while County Court files go to the County Clerk.

How to Request Albany Felony Records

The Freedom of Information Law governs access to felony records in Albany. Every city and county agency must follow FOIL rules under Public Officers Law §§ 84-90. The process is the same whether you contact the police, the clerk, or the district attorney.

For police records, file a FOIL request with the Albany Police Department or the Corporation Counsel. City records go through the City Clerk's office. County records are handled by the Albany County Clerk. Each office has its own records access officer who processes FOIL requests.

The Albany County Sheriff's Office maintains a Records Division at 16 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207. Call (518) 487-5400. They keep incident reports, traffic tickets, parking tickets, and arrest records for cases the sheriff handled. FOIL requests to the sheriff follow the same rules as other agencies. Include the person's name, date of the incident, and any case numbers you have.

The Albany County District Attorney's Office at 6 Lodge Street, Albany, NY 12207, handles felony prosecution files. Phone: (518) 487-5460. Some records in the DA's file are exempt from FOIL under Public Officers Law § 87(2), such as items that would interfere with an active investigation or reveal confidential sources.

Felony Records Search Tools

The Criminal History Record Search from the Office of Court Administration costs $95. It pulls conviction records from every court in New York. This is the broadest single search for felony convictions tied to Albany or anywhere else in the state.

The DOCCS Inmate Lookup is free. It shows people currently in state prison or on parole supervision. Search by name or DIN. If an Albany felony case ended in a state prison sentence, the record appears here.

For your own record, the DCJS Record Review is the correct path. Submit fingerprints to get your personal criminal history. Call 518-457-9847 or email RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov. This is not a FOIL process and cannot be used to check someone else's record.

The Sex Offender Registry is free and shows registered offenders by name, county, or zip code. The NYSCEF portal holds electronic court filings for cases in courts that participate in the system.

Sealed Felony Records in Albany

Under CPL § 160.50, records from arrests that did not result in a conviction are sealed. This covers dismissals, acquittals, and cases adjourned in contemplation of dismissal that were later dismissed. These records are not available to the public.

CPL § 160.59 allows individuals to apply for sealing of up to two convictions, with one felony at most. The ten-year waiting period runs from the end of the sentence. Violent felonies, sex crimes, and Class A felonies are excluded. The judge weighs several factors before granting the petition.

New York's Clean Slate Act went into effect on November 16, 2024. It provides for the automatic sealing of eligible convictions. The courts have up to three years to develop and roll out the process. Sex crimes and non-drug Class A felonies are excluded. Law enforcement and prosecutors keep full access to all records, sealed or not.

3rd Judicial District Administration

Albany is part of the 3rd Judicial District, which covers Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster counties. The district administrative office is at 2500 Pond View, Suite 210, Castleton-on-Hudson, NY 12033. Phone: 518-285-8300. The District Administrative Judge is Hon. E. Danielle Jose-Decker.

For a full guide to felony records across the county, see the Albany County felony records page. It covers every office in the county system.

Nearby Cities

These cities near Albany also have felony records pages with local court and records access details.