Buffalo Felony Records
Felony records in Buffalo are handled through the Erie County court system. Buffalo is the county seat and the second-largest city in New York State. The Buffalo Police Department investigates felony crimes within city limits, while the Erie County District Attorney prosecutes those cases. Felony trials take place at the Erie County Supreme Court at 25 Delaware Avenue in downtown Buffalo. The Erie County Clerk's Office stores conviction records, indictments, and other criminal case documents. Buffalo also has its own City Court that handles arraignments and misdemeanor cases, but felony matters go through the county courts.
Buffalo Overview
Erie County Courts for Buffalo Felony Cases
The Erie County Supreme Court handles all felony trials for cases arising in Buffalo. Grand juries meet in the county courthouse to review evidence and issue indictments. Once a felony case is indicted, it moves to Supreme Court from Buffalo City Court, where initial arraignments take place.
The Erie County Clerk's Office at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 maintains criminal case records. The Clerk serves as Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts and keeps conviction records, indictments, and sentencing documents. You can search records in person or submit a written request. Most records are already public and accessible through the Clerk's public search site.
The Erie County District Attorney prosecutes felony cases from Buffalo and the rest of the county. Their office handles charging decisions after the police make an arrest.
How to Search Buffalo Felony Records
Buffalo has a dedicated FOIL Portal through NextRequest. This lets you submit, track, and receive records requests online. Before filing a new request, check if someone else has already asked for the same records. The portal tracks all submissions and responses.
For police records specifically, submit your request through the BPD FOIL website. The Buffalo Police Department headquarters is at 68 Court Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. Call 716-851-4444 for general inquiries or 716-853-2222 for non-emergency questions. The Records Center at 45 Comet Street is open by appointment only at 716-877-0636. There is currently no fee to access records at the Inactive Records Center.
The Erie County Clerk's FOIL Officer is William Lorenz. Email FOIL requests to ECCOFOIL@erie.gov or call 716-858-6636. Written requests can be mailed to 92 Franklin Street, 1st Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202. Each county department runs its own FOIL process, so direct your request to the right office.
The WebCrims system shows active criminal cases with future court dates. It covers Erie County courts and is free. The OCA Criminal History Record Search at $95 per name pulls conviction data from all 62 counties.
Buffalo Records Contact Information
| Office | Phone | Address |
|---|---|---|
| BPD Headquarters | 716-851-4444 | 68 Court Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| BPD Non-Emergency | 716-853-2222 | |
| Records Center | 716-877-0636 | 45 Comet Street, Buffalo, NY |
| Erie County Clerk FOIL | 716-858-6636 | 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| Erie County Clerk Email | ECCOFOIL@erie.gov | |
Buffalo also maintains an Open Data Portal at data.buffalony.gov where some public records and data sets are available without a FOIL request. Check there first to see if the data you need is already published.
Sealed Felony Records in Buffalo
CPL § 160.50 seals records automatically when a case ends without conviction. Dismissals, acquittals, and certain other outcomes trigger automatic sealing. The court, police, and prosecutors all seal their files.
Under CPL § 160.59, individuals can ask a judge to seal up to two older convictions with at most one felony. A ten-year waiting period from sentence or release applies. The judge considers the crime, the person's history, and the impact on public safety.
New York's Clean Slate Act will automate sealing for many eligible convictions over the next few years. The OCA is developing the systems. Sex offenses and non-drug Class A felonies are excluded. CPL § 160.58 allows sealing for people who finish court-ordered drug treatment. Youthful offender adjudications under CPL § 720.35 are confidential and not disclosed in public searches.
State Databases for Felony Records
The DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup is free and shows current and former state prison inmates. Search by name or DIN. Violent felony offenders and sex offenders stay on the site indefinitely. Non-violent offender records may be removed three years after completing their full sentence under Correction Law § 9.
The DCJS Record Review costs $62 for an official fingerprint-based rap sheet. You must be fingerprinted at an authorized location. Results take two to four weeks by mail.
The Sex Offender Registry shows Level 2 and Level 3 offenders online. Call 800-262-3257 for Level 1 checks. The NYS Courts records page explains the different types of court records and how to get them.
Nearby Cities
Search felony records in communities near Buffalo in western New York.