Erie County Felony Records Search

Erie County felony records are maintained by County Clerk Michael P. Kearns at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo. The Erie County Clerk's Office keeps closed criminal records for all felony charges from Supreme Court and Erie County Court. These files date back to 1922, giving nearly a century of documented criminal history. Erie County has one of the most detailed record systems in western New York, with files indexed by both defendant name and indictment number. You can inspect records for free at the clerk's office. Copies cost $0.25 per page, and certified copies run $8.00 per document. The statewide OCA Criminal History Record Search also covers Erie County cases for $95 per name.

Erie County Clerk's Office and Felony Records Access

The Erie County Clerk's Office at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo is the main source for felony records. The office handles closed criminal records from both Supreme Court and Erie County Court. Lesser charges filed in lower courts are not kept here. Federal, city, and town court records are the responsibility of those government bodies.

All criminal files are open to the public, though some documents will be redacted. Files are indexed by name and indictment number. When you search by defendant name, you must provide a date of birth. This helps the clerk find the right file and avoids confusion between people with similar names.

Sealed records are a different matter. When charges are dismissed or a defendant is acquitted, the file gets automatically sealed under CPL § 160.50. Once sealed, only the defendant or their attorney can access it. A court order is needed to unseal the file for anyone else. CPL § 160.59 also lets people apply to have certain old convictions sealed after ten years from sentencing.

How to Search Erie County Felony Records

There are several ways to search for felony records in Erie County. In person, you can visit the Clerk's Office during business hours and inspect records for free. Fees only apply when you need copies. You can also submit a written FOIL request to the Records Access Officer under New York's Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law §§ 84-90).

Online, the WebCrims portal shows criminal case status, court dates, and disposition info for cases in Erie County. The OCA Criminal History Record Search runs $95 per name and covers all courts statewide. Results are emailed the next business day but are not certified. For e-filed cases, the NYSCEF portal lets you view documents without an account.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office also maintains an online active warrant database that allows free public searches. This can tell you if there is an outstanding warrant tied to a felony case.

Erie County Felony Record Fees and Retention

The fee schedule at the Erie County Clerk's Office is straightforward:

• Record inspection: Free
• Standard copies: $0.25 per page
• Certified copies: $8.00 per document
• Statewide criminal history (OCA): $65.00

Retention rules in Erie County follow state guidelines. Felony case files are kept permanently. Misdemeanor files stay on record for at least 25 years after disposition. Violation files are kept for a minimum of six years. Arrest records at the Sheriff's Office are also permanent. These long retention periods mean that Erie County has one of the deeper record archives in western New York.

Statewide Tools for Erie County Felony Records

The DOCCS Inmate Lookup shows records for anyone who has served time in a New York state prison. This covers Erie County felony convicts who received state sentences. The Sex Offender Registry lists all registered offenders. The DCJS Record Review is for individuals who want to check their own rap sheet, but it requires fingerprinting.

The Clean Slate Act took effect in November 2024. It will eventually seal certain conviction records automatically. Sex crimes and non-drug Class A felonies, including murder, will not be sealed. Full implementation may take up to three years as the Office of Court Administration builds out the process. Until then, Erie County felony records continue to reflect all convictions.

Town and Village Courts across Erie County handle misdemeanors and preliminary felony proceedings. These courts keep their own records. If a case started in a local court but moved up to County Court after indictment, the main felony file will be at the County Clerk's Office.

Cities in Erie County

Erie County includes Buffalo and several large suburbs. Felony cases from all cities within the county are processed through the Erie County Court and filed with the County Clerk in Buffalo.

Nearby Counties

Erie County borders several western New York counties. Each maintains its own felony records through the local County Clerk's Office.