Monroe County Felony Records

Monroe County felony records are housed at the County Clerk's Office in downtown Rochester. As the third most populous county in New York, Monroe has a large and active criminal justice system. The 7th Judicial District covers the county, and felony cases from both Supreme Court and County Court are filed with County Clerk Jamie Romeo's office. Online records are also available through the IQS system. The District Attorney, Sheriff's Office, and Rochester Police Department all play roles in the county's felony case process, from arrest through prosecution and sentencing.

Monroe County Clerk's Office and Felony Records

County Clerk Jamie Romeo oversees the office at 39 W. Main Street, Room 101, Rochester, NY 14614. Phone is (585) 753-1600. The Clerk is responsible for keeping all Supreme and County Court files, including criminal matters.

Only felony convictions end up here. Federal court cases, city court cases, and town court proceedings are filed at their respective courts. If you need a misdemeanor record from Rochester City Court, you have to go there instead.

You can search records several ways. In person at the office is the most direct. Phone requests work too at (585) 753-1600 during business hours. Fax requests go to (585) 753-1650. Or you can mail a written request to Monroe County Clerk's Office, 39 W. Main Street, Room 105, Rochester, NY 14614. Include a check for the right amount. When you ask for a document, give the index number, type of record, filing date, and names involved. The more detail you provide, the faster the search goes.

Copies run 65 cents per page with a $1.30 minimum. Certified copies are $5 for up to four pages, then $1.25 per extra page. A search where the index number is not known costs $5 for each two-year span. The office takes cash, checks, Visa, and MasterCard.

Online Records Through IQS

Monroe County offers online record searches through the IQS system. This tool lets you look up court records from a computer without visiting the office. It can be useful for checking whether a case exists or finding an index number before making a formal request.

Keep in mind that not all records are in the digital system, especially older ones. And sealed records won't show up at all. For a full and accurate record, an in-person or mail request to the Clerk's office is still the best approach.

Certificates of Disposition

A Certificate of Disposition shows the final outcome of a criminal case. It is not a rap sheet or a full criminal history. To get one for a Monroe County felony, fill out the Criminal Certificate of Disposition Request Form. You can find the case info by searching the online document database.

Submit the form to the Clerk's Office in person, by mail, or by email at certsofdisposition@monroecounty.gov. The fee is $5, payable by check to Monroe County Clerk's Office. The Clerk sends the request to the court, which prints and seals the certificate. If you're the defendant or their lawyer, bring proper ID. The court contacts you when it's ready. If there are no results to report, you get an official "No Results" page instead.

Felony Court System in Monroe County

Monroe County Court sits at the Hall of Justice, 99 Exchange Blvd., Rochester, NY 14614. Call (585) 371-3758. The court handles all felony cases in the county and is part of the 7th Judicial District alongside Livingston, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates counties.

This is a high-volume court. Rochester is a major city, and the criminal caseload reflects that. The Grand Jury meets often to consider indictments. Treatment courts run here too, including Drug Treatment Court and Mental Health Court. These give qualifying defendants a structured program that, if completed, can reduce charges or sentencing. The court also hears appeals from City, Town, and Village Courts in the county.

District Attorney and Law Enforcement

The Monroe County District Attorney works from the Hall of Justice at 99 Exchange Blvd. Phone: (585) 753-4300. The office is organized into specialized bureaus like Major Crimes, Special Victims, and Economic Crimes. Every arrest is reviewed and charged based on the evidence. Discovery under CPL Article 240 requires the DA to share materials with defense counsel early in the case.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office is at 130 S. Plymouth Ave., Rochester, NY 14614. Call (585) 753-4178. The Sheriff covers the towns and villages outside Rochester and operates the county jail. The Records Bureau holds incident and arrest reports. FOIL requests are the way to get copies. The office also provides fingerprinting for various purposes.

Rochester Police Department handles law enforcement within city limits. Their address is 185 Exchange Blvd., Rochester, NY 14614. Phone: (585) 428-6310. RPD maintains its own records and processes FOIL requests for police reports and arrest data. Crime stats are published through CompStat.

Statewide Felony Record Databases

The OCA Criminal History Record Search costs $95 and covers all 62 counties, including Monroe. Results arrive the next business day for online submissions. The DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup is free and shows state prison inmates current and past. Violent felons stay on the site permanently. Under Correction Law section 9, non-violent offenders may be removed three years after finishing their sentence.

WebCrims shows pending cases with future court dates. It's free and needs no account. The DCJS Record Review process is the only way to get an official rap sheet. It costs $62 and requires fingerprints.

Sealed Records and Legal Protections

Cases that end in dismissal or acquittal are sealed under CPL section 160.50. Under CPL section 160.59, a person can ask a judge to seal up to two older convictions. Sex offenses and Class A felonies are excluded from that option. The Clean Slate Act will eventually seal eligible records on its own over a three-year rollout. Records of sex crimes and non-drug Class A felonies won't be affected.

CPL section 720.35 governs youthful offender adjudications. Those are confidential and don't show on public searches, though they appear on unsuppressed records from DCJS.

Cities in Monroe County

Monroe County includes Rochester and several surrounding towns. Felony cases from anywhere in the county go through Monroe County Court.

Nearby Counties

Monroe County borders several western New York counties. All are part of either the 7th or 8th Judicial District.