Montgomery County Felony Records Search

Montgomery County felony records are managed by County Clerk Brittany Kolbe at the office in Fonda. The county sits in the Mohawk Valley and is part of the 4th Judicial District. Felony cases from Supreme Court and County Court are filed with the Clerk, who also handles land records, e-filing, and other court documents. Public access follows New York's Freedom of Information Law. The District Attorney prosecutes felonies, while the Sheriff's Office holds arrest and incident records. Online searching is available through a subscription-based system for county records, along with free statewide databases.

Montgomery County Clerk's Office

County Clerk Brittany Kolbe runs the office at 64 Broadway, Fonda, NY 12068. The phone number is (518) 853-8111, and fax is (518) 853-8289. Email: countyclerk@montgomerycountyny.gov. Deputy County Clerk is Tina Ehrenreich.

The Clerk handles public records including property deeds, mortgages, court records, and business documents. For criminal cases, only felony filings from Supreme and County Court end up here. The office also manages fines, fees, and surcharges collected for the court system. Notary services and passport help are available too.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with recording hours ending at 3:30 PM. Summer hours in July and August shift to 9:00 AM start. The office is closed on holidays. As of January 2024, personal checks are no longer accepted for real estate transactions, though they may still work for other services. Check with the office if you plan to pay by check.

Copy fees went up in June 2019. It now costs 65 cents per page with a $1.30 minimum for uncertified copies. Certified copies are $5 for up to four pages plus $1.25 for each extra page. E-filing became mandatory for Montgomery County as of October 2020, though pro-se litigants can opt out.

Online Document Search

Montgomery County offers online record searching through the IQS system at www.searchiqs.com. There are two subscription tiers. A one-day pass costs $15 plus 65 cents per page. A 30-day subscription is $55 plus 65 cents per page. This tool covers land records and some court filings. It won't show sealed records or give you certified copies.

E-recording is also live in Montgomery County. Three registered facilitators handle electronic submissions for recording documents. This is mainly for property and land records, but it shows the county's shift toward digital systems overall.

Montgomery County Court and Felony Jurisdiction

Montgomery County Court is at 58 Broadway, Fonda. Phone: (518) 853-8232. It has jurisdiction over all felony cases in the county and belongs to the 4th Judicial District with Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, and Washington counties.

The Grand Jury meets to consider felony indictments. Court sessions are held on a regular schedule. Proceedings are public unless sealed by a judge. The court also takes civil cases above the lower court limit and hears appeals from town and village courts. The historic courthouse in Fonda has served the Mohawk Valley for many years.

Felony Prosecution and Law Enforcement

The District Attorney's office is at 58 Broadway, Fonda. Call (518) 853-8231. The DA handles all felony cases and some misdemeanors. Each arrest is evaluated for proper charges. The DA presents felony cases to the Grand Jury and provides discovery materials to defense under CPL Article 240. Victim services are available for those affected by crime.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is also at 58 Broadway in Fonda. The phone number is (518) 853-5500. The Sheriff provides patrol services across the county's towns and villages, operates the jail, and maintains arrest and incident records. FOIL requests under Public Officers Law sections 84 through 90 are accepted for law enforcement records. The civil division handles process service and evictions.

Statewide Felony Record Databases

Several free and paid databases cover Montgomery County records at the state level. The OCA Criminal History Record Search charges $95 per search and pulls data from all 62 counties. It shows open cases and convictions but not sealed records. Town and village court data can be incomplete for older cases.

The DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup is free. It covers state prison inmates past and present. Violent felons and sex offenders stay on the site. Non-violent offenders may be removed three years after sentence completion under Correction Law section 9. WebCrims is also free and shows pending criminal cases with upcoming court dates. The DCJS Record Review costs $62 for a personal rap sheet and requires fingerprints.

Sealing of Felony Records

New York law provides several ways to seal criminal records. CPL section 160.50 automatically seals cases ending in dismissal or acquittal. CPL section 160.59 lets a person petition a judge to seal up to two older convictions, but sex offenses and Class A felonies are excluded. CPL section 160.58 covers drug convictions where the person completes a treatment program.

The Clean Slate Act will add automatic sealing for eligible records starting in late 2024, with a rollout of up to three years. Records of sex crimes and non-drug Class A felonies are not covered. Courts and law enforcement still see everything regardless of sealing status. Youthful offender adjudications under CPL section 720.35 are already confidential and hidden from public searches.

Cities in Montgomery County

Montgomery County includes the cities of Amsterdam and smaller communities like Fonda, Canajoharie, and Fort Plain. None of these meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. All felony cases from the county are heard in Montgomery County Court in Fonda.

Nearby Counties

Montgomery County sits in the Mohawk Valley between several other counties in the 4th Judicial District and surrounding areas.