Access Fulton County Felony Records
Fulton County felony records are managed at the courthouse on West Main Street in Johnstown. The County Court handles felony criminal cases, while the Supreme Court covers major civil matters and some serious criminal proceedings. Both courts fall under the Fourth Judicial District. The Fulton County Clerk maintains records from these courts, along with land documents and historical files. Online access is available through WebCivil Supreme for civil cases and WebCrims for some criminal case data. Not all records have been digitized here, so older cases may require a visit to the Johnstown courthouse. The OCA Criminal History Record Search at $95 per name also covers Fulton County felony cases statewide.
Fulton County Overview
Fulton County Court System and Felony Cases
Fulton County Court at 223 West Main Street in Johnstown is the primary court for felony criminal cases. The phone number is 518-706-3260. The court also has limited civil jurisdiction. Supreme Court sits here for major civil cases and certain criminal matters that need a broader jurisdictional reach.
| Office | Details |
|---|---|
| Fulton County Court | 223 West Main Street, Johnstown, NY 12095 |
| Phone | 518-706-3260 |
| County Clerk | 223 W Main St, Johnstown, NY |
| Hours | Monday - Friday (call for current hours) |
Family Court addresses child custody, support, adoption, and domestic violence matters. Surrogate's Court manages probate, estate administration, and adoptions under state law. City Court in Johnstown handles misdemeanors, traffic, and small claims. Town and Village Courts handle local matters including preliminary felony proceedings before cases are sent up to County Court.
The court system includes specialized treatment courts that address substance abuse and domestic violence. These courts can change how a felony case moves through the system and may result in reduced charges or sealed records upon completion of a program.
Searching Fulton County Felony Records Online
Online tools give some access to Fulton County felony records. The WebCivil Supreme portal handles civil case searches. WebCrims provides limited criminal case information including case status and court dates. For e-filed documents, the NYSCEF portal lets you search and view records without an account.
The OCA Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name and pulls records from all 62 counties. Results are emailed the next business day. They are not certified. Town and Village Court disposition data is incomplete for the period from May 1991 through 2002. All Town and Village Courts have reported to OCA since May 2007.
Not all Fulton County records are digitized. Older felony cases may only exist in paper form at the courthouse. If you cannot find what you need online, an in-person visit to the County Clerk's Office is the next step. The clerk provides public access terminals for free searches during business hours.
Fulton County Felony Record Sealing and Access Rules
Fulton County follows New York's statewide sealing rules for criminal records. Under CPL § 160.50, records are sealed when charges are dismissed or a defendant is acquitted. Only the defendant and their attorney can access sealed files. Everyone else needs a court order.
CPL § 160.59 lets people apply for sealing of certain convictions after ten years from sentencing. This covers many felony convictions but excludes sex offenses and violent felonies. The Clean Slate Act of 2024 will eventually automate sealing for eligible records. Until that process is fully built out by the Office of Court Administration, Fulton County records will continue to show all convictions.
Fulton County residents can also access court records under New York's Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law §§ 84-90). FOIL requests can be sent to the County Clerk or the Sheriff's Office for arrest records. Sealed and juvenile records are not available through FOIL.
State-Level Resources for Fulton County Searches
The DOCCS Inmate Lookup covers anyone who has served time in a New York state prison. The Sex Offender Registry lists all registered offenders. The DCJS Record Review lets individuals request their own criminal history, but it requires fingerprinting and is not open to the public for third-party searches.
The Fulton County Historical Society and the Johnstown Public Library may have older court records and historical documentation that is not in the current court system. Appeals from Fulton County courts go to the Appellate Division, Third Department.
Cities in Fulton County
Fulton County does not have any cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. All felony records are filed with the County Clerk at 223 West Main Street in Johnstown. Contact the courthouse at 518-706-3260 for assistance with record searches.
Nearby Counties
Fulton County borders several counties in the Mohawk Valley and southern Adirondack area. Each county maintains felony records through its own County Clerk.