Hamilton County Felony Records Search

Hamilton County felony records are managed by County Clerk RaChelle M. Martz at 102 County View Drive in Lake Pleasant. Hamilton County is the least populous county in New York State, which gives its judicial system a more personalized feel. The County Court handles felony criminal cases, and it is part of the 5th Judicial District of the New York State Unified Court System. Court records here are generally public under FOIL, though some may be sealed by court order. Because of its small size, Hamilton County has more limited online record access than larger counties. In-person visits to the Lake Pleasant office give the most complete results. The County Clerk also serves as Clerk of Supreme and County Court, covering both criminal and civil matters.

Hamilton County Clerk's Office

County Clerk RaChelle M. Martz handles court records, land documents, and several other functions from the Lake Pleasant office. The clerk serves as Clerk of Supreme and County Court, including criminal and matrimonial matters. The office also files orders, judgments, and federal and state tax warrants and liens.

Staff at the clerk's office include Eileen Higgins (Deputy County Clerk), Betsy D. Earley and Loretta L. Blanchard (Motor Vehicle Clerks), and Sheila A. Cramer (Recording Clerk). The office handles DMV services, notary files, business certificates, and veterans' vendor permits in addition to court records.

Searching Hamilton County Felony Records

Online document searches for Hamilton County are available at www.searchiqs.com/NYHAM. The subscription costs $15 for one day or $25 for 30 days. This system covers land records and some court documents. For criminal cases specifically, the WebCrims portal may have limited Hamilton County data, and the WebCivil Supreme tool covers civil cases.

Due to Hamilton County's small size, online access to felony records is more limited than in larger counties. The most thorough searches require visiting the Records Room at 102 County View Drive. The room is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. No recordings are accepted after 4:15 PM.

Copies cost $0.65 per page. For a statewide search, the OCA Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name and covers all 62 counties. This is often the easiest way to check if someone has a felony record in Hamilton County without making the drive to Lake Pleasant.

Hamilton County Court and Criminal Jurisdiction

The Hamilton County Court handles felony criminal cases, civil matters, and appeals from lower courts. As part of the 5th Judicial District, it shares some court resources with nearby counties. The court system has a more personalized approach than you find in urban areas, which reflects the small population.

Town and Village Courts throughout Hamilton County handle traffic violations, small claims, evictions, misdemeanors, and lesser offenses. Preliminary felony proceedings often start in these local courts before moving up to County Court. The Surrogate's Court is located at 179 White Birch Lane, PO Box 780, Indian Lake, NY 12842. Its phone number is 518-648-5411. It handles estates, trusts, guardianships, and adoptions.

Family Court addresses child custody, support, and domestic violence matters. These records are restricted to protect the privacy of those involved. Court proceedings in Hamilton County are generally open to the public unless sealed by a judge.

Hamilton County Sheriff and Record Sealing

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is at 102 County View Drive in Lake Pleasant. The phone number is (518) 548-3113. The sheriff provides law enforcement across what is the largest county in New York by geographic area. Criminal incident reports and arrest records can be requested through the Sheriff's Office during business hours.

Record sealing in Hamilton County follows statewide rules. CPL § 160.50 seals records when charges are dismissed or acquitted. CPL § 160.59 allows petitions for sealing of certain old convictions after ten years. The Clean Slate Act of 2024 will eventually automate sealing for eligible records, but sex crimes and non-drug Class A felonies are excluded.

The DOCCS Inmate Lookup shows records for anyone who served time in a state facility. The Sex Offender Registry covers all registered offenders. FOIL requests under Public Officers Law §§ 84-90 can be submitted to the County Clerk or Sheriff's Office for access to specific records.

Cities in Hamilton County

Hamilton County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. As the least populous county in New York, all communities here are small towns. Felony records for the entire county are managed through the County Clerk at 102 County View Drive, Lake Pleasant. Call (518) 548-7111 for inquiries.

Nearby Counties

Hamilton County covers a large area in the central Adirondacks. It shares borders with several other Adirondack and Mohawk Valley counties.