Access New Rochelle Felony Records
New Rochelle felony records are processed through the Westchester County court system in the southern Hudson Valley. One of the largest cities in Westchester County, New Rochelle sits in the 9th Judicial District. Felony arrests by the New Rochelle Police Department start in the city court and transfer to Westchester County Court for trial. Public access to these records follows the state Freedom of Information Law, with several local and state tools available for searching case data.
New Rochelle Overview
Westchester County Court and New Rochelle Felony Cases
All felony cases from New Rochelle go to Westchester County Court. The 9th Judicial District administration is at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 11th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601. Phone: 914-824-5100. The District Administrative Judge is Hon. Anne E. Minihan.
New Rochelle City Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors and lesser offenses. For felony charges, the city court handles the arraignment and preliminary hearing. The judge reviews the complaint, sets bail, and decides on release. Once a grand jury returns an indictment, the case moves to Westchester County Court for trial and sentencing.
The Westchester County Clerk stores official records from felony cases. You can access some records through the Westchester Courts public records portal. The clerk holds indictments, plea agreements, sentencing documents, and all court filings. For criminal-specific searches, the Westchester criminal records page offers another search path.
New Rochelle Police Department
The New Rochelle Police Department serves the city and handles felony investigations within city limits. Officers are sworn to protect life and property. The department works with the Westchester County District Attorney's office on felony prosecutions.
| Office | Details |
|---|---|
| New Rochelle PD | City of New Rochelle |
| Emergency | 911 |
| City Website | newrochelleny.com |
| Records Access | City Clerk or Police Department |
| Copy Fee | $0.25 per page |
| FOIL Response | 5 business days acknowledgment |
Records requests can go through either the City Clerk or the Police Department, depending on what type of file you need. Police reports and arrest records are held by the department. Court filings and case records go through the county clerk. Administrative city records are with the City Clerk's office.
The city also runs a Youth Justice Advisory Committee. This program deals with how the justice system affects young people in New Rochelle. It does not change how adult felony records are accessed, but shows the city's focus on justice reform at the local level.
How to Request New Rochelle Felony Records
FOIL governs public records access in New York. Under Public Officers Law §§ 84-90, every city and county agency must make records available upon written request, with certain exceptions for law enforcement files.
File a written FOIL request with the agency that holds the record. For police reports, contact the New Rochelle Police Department. For court records, contact the Westchester County Clerk. Include the person's full name, date of the incident or arrest, and any case numbers. The more detail you give, the faster the response.
The agency has five business days to respond. They can provide the records, deny in writing, or send an acknowledgment with an estimated date. The standard response window is twenty business days. If they need more time, they must explain why and give a firm deadline.
Copies cost $0.25 per page for standard sizes up to 9 by 14 inches. Larger items cost actual reproduction cost. You can inspect records in person and photograph them instead of paying for copies. The agency cannot charge for search time unless the search takes more than two hours.
State Databases for New Rochelle Felony Records
The Criminal History Record Search costs $95 and returns conviction data from courts statewide. Run by the Office of Court Administration, it is the broadest single tool for checking felony convictions from Westchester County or any other jurisdiction in New York.
The DOCCS Inmate Lookup is free. Search by name or DIN to find people in state prison or on parole. The Sex Offender Registry from DCJS is also free and shows registered offenders by name, zip code, or county.
For your own criminal history, the DCJS Record Review requires a fingerprint submission. Contact DCJS at 518-457-9847 or RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov. This is not a FOIL process. It is the only way to get your complete personal rap sheet from the state.
Sealed Felony Records in New Rochelle
CPL § 160.50 requires automatic sealing of arrest records that did not lead to a conviction. Dismissals, acquittals, and favorable terminations are all covered. These records will not appear in public searches.
Under CPL § 160.59, a person can petition to seal up to two convictions, with no more than one felony. The wait is ten years from the completion of the sentence, including any period of parole or probation. Violent felonies and sex crimes are not eligible. The court examines the offense, the person's conduct since, and the public interest before making a decision.
The Clean Slate Act took effect November 16, 2024. Over the next three years, the Office of Court Administration will develop automatic sealing for eligible older convictions. Sex crimes and non-drug Class A felonies are excluded. Law enforcement retains access to all records. For New Rochelle residents with past felony records, this may reduce what appears in public database searches as the system rolls out.
New Rochelle County Page
New Rochelle sits in Westchester County. For a full guide to felony records across the county, visit the Westchester County felony records page. It covers the county clerk, district attorney, and the full court system in the 9th Judicial District.
Nearby Cities
Other Westchester County cities with felony records pages and local court information.