Rochester Felony Records

Rochester felony records are held by the Monroe County court system and the Rochester Police Department. As the largest city in western New York outside Buffalo, Rochester sits in the 7th Judicial District and handles a high volume of criminal cases each year. Felony arrests in the city start at Rochester City Court for arraignment and preliminary hearings, then move to Monroe County Court for indictment and trial. The Monroe County Clerk stores the court files, and the Rochester Police Department keeps arrest records and incident reports on its end. This page walks through how to find and request those records.

Monroe County Court and Felony Records

Monroe County Court handles all felony cases from Rochester. The Monroe County Clerk's Office keeps the official court files. Their main office is at the Monroe County Courthouse, 39 West Main Street, Room 101, Rochester, NY 14614. Phone: (585) 753-1600. The clerk holds indictments, plea records, conviction records, and sentencing documents. Many older records have been digitized.

Rochester City Court does the initial work on felony cases. Judges there arraign defendants, set bail, and hold preliminary hearings. Once a grand jury hands down an indictment, the case transfers to County Court. City Court files stay with the city, while County Court records go to the Monroe County Clerk.

The Monroe County District Attorney's Office prosecutes felony cases from Rochester and the rest of the county. Their office is at 47 South Fitzhugh Street, Rochester, NY 14614. Call (585) 753-4500 for case information. Some DA files are exempt from public disclosure under FOIL when they involve active investigations or confidential sources.

For a full look at felony records across the county, see the Monroe County felony records page.

How to Search Rochester Felony Records

FOIL governs access to felony records in Rochester. Public Officers Law §§ 84-90 requires every city and county agency to make records available on written request. The process works the same way whether you contact the police, the county clerk, or the DA.

The Rochester Police Department has its own records division. Call (585) 428-7493 for general records inquiries. You can also file a FOIL request through the city's online portal at the City Hall FOIL office, Room 400A, 30 Church Street, Rochester, NY 14614. Phone: (585) 428-6991. The city keeps records that relate to city government only. It does not hold records for suburbs, towns, Monroe County, or any state or federal agency.

Criminal history record requests through RPD cost $25. Pay by cash, credit card, or money order made out to the City Treasurer. You need two forms of ID: a photo ID and a Social Security card. Results are mailed within 7 to 10 business days. Fingerprinting is available Monday through Friday, 1 PM to 3 PM, also at a $25 fee.

Copy fees are $0.25 per page. Photographs cost $5.00 per print. CDs and cassette tapes are $1.00 each. Maps run from $5.00 to $10.25 depending on size. Agencies cannot charge for search time or administrative costs unless the work takes more than two hours.

Online Felony Records Tools

The Criminal History Record Search from the Office of Court Administration costs $95. It pulls conviction records from every court in New York State. This is the broadest single tool for finding felony convictions tied to Rochester or any other city.

The DOCCS Inmate Lookup is free. It shows people in state prison or under parole supervision. Search by name or DIN number. If a Rochester felony case ended in a state prison sentence, the record will appear here.

For your own criminal history, the DCJS Record Review is the right path. You submit fingerprints and receive your personal criminal history. Call 518-457-9847 or email RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov. This process is separate from FOIL and cannot be used to check another person's record.

The Rochester Police Department maintains an Open Data Portal with police data. The city also created one of the first online police disciplinary databases in the state, available at cityofrochester.gov/policediscipline. This was set up after the repeal of Civil Rights Law Section 50-a. The database holds roughly 112 records covering more than 700 sworn officers.

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 participating courts.

Sealed Felony Records in Rochester

Under CPL § 160.50, records from arrests that did not end in a conviction are sealed. This covers dismissals, acquittals, and cases adjourned in contemplation of dismissal. Sealed records are not available to the public. They stay accessible to law enforcement and courts.

CPL § 160.59 lets individuals apply to seal up to two convictions, with no more than one felony. The ten-year wait starts from the end of the sentence. Violent felonies, sex crimes, and Class A felonies don't qualify. A judge reviews several factors before granting the petition.

New York's Clean Slate Act took effect on November 16, 2024. It creates a process for the automatic sealing of eligible convictions. The courts have up to three years to build and roll out the system. Sex crimes and non-drug Class A felonies are excluded. Police, prosecutors, and courts still see all records regardless of sealing status.

FOIL Appeals and Denials

If an agency denies your FOIL request, you can appeal. File a written appeal within 30 days to the head of the agency. The agency must respond within 10 business days. If the appeal is also denied, you can start an Article 78 proceeding in Supreme Court. The court may award attorney's fees if you win.

Common reasons for denial include active investigations, records that would reveal confidential sources, and information that could interfere with a fair trial. Under Public Officers Law § 87(2), law enforcement records compiled for investigative purposes have several specific exemptions. Routine techniques and procedures are not exempt.

Monroe County Jail held an average of 760 inmates daily in 2023. The jail is at 130 Plymouth Avenue South, Rochester, NY 14614. Phone: (585) 753-4000 for inmate information. Visitors need a valid government ID.

Nearby Cities

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