Criminal records in Niagara County, New York, are available through several channels. NiagaraCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the New York State court system, the Niagara County Clerk's Office, law enforcement agencies, and the state repository of criminal histories. Each of these sources covers different types of records and has its own access procedures.
How to Search Criminal Records in Niagara
There are several ways to find criminal records in Niagara County — online, in person, or by mail.
Online Search
- NiagaraCourt.us — start here to find publicly available information about court cases. You will need the person's full name or case number to search.
- NYSCEF Electronic Filing Portal — in Niagara County, electronic filing is mandatory for most types of cases. Through the NYSCEF system (select Niagara County from the list), you can view documents filed in court.
- NYS WebCrims — the New York State Unified Court System for searching criminal cases in lower courts. The defendant's name or case number is required.
- DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup — check if a person is in custody in New York State facilities. The first and last name is sufficient.
- Niagara County Probation Department Warrants — a public list of individuals wanted on probation warrants.
- New York State Police Wanted Persons — a database of individuals wanted on state-level criminal warrants.
In Person
Visit the Niagara County Clerk's Office in the courthouse. There is access to public court records, including criminal cases.
By Mail or Written Request
To obtain an official state-level criminal history, contact the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). New York residents can request their own criminal history by submitting fingerprints and the appropriate form. A request to the court clerk can be sent by mail with the full name, date of birth, and case number (if known).
What you need to start a search:
- Full first and last name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if available)
Search Niagara Criminal Cases by Case Number
Criminal case numbers in New York State typically have a specific format that depends on the court level. In higher courts (Supreme Court, County Court), the case number often includes an index number indicating the year of filing.
Typical case number structure:
- Court or case type prefix — indicates the court or category (e.g., CR for criminal cases).
- Year — the year the case began (e.g., 2024).
- Sequential number — a unique ordinal number within the year.
For example, a case may appear as "2024-00123" or have a different format depending on the court. For an accurate search, use the case number exactly as it was issued. If you do not know the number, try searching by name through NiagaraCourt.us or the WebCrims system.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Niagara
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a section of New York State Penal Law (e.g., PL 120.05 — Assault in the Second Degree) |
| Severity Level | Felony, Misdemeanor, Violation |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor or court may amend the initial charge — reduce the degree or add new counts |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision yet
- Active — the case is actively being heard by the court
- Disposed — the court has made a decision, the case is closed
- Sealed — the case is sealed, access is restricted
Hearings
- Arraignment — first court appearance, charges are announced
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-trial conference — a meeting of the parties before the trial begins
- Sentencing — imposition of a penalty after a guilty plea or verdict
- Review hearing — review of compliance with sentence conditions or probation
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Case closed (charges dropped) |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by court or jury decision |
| Adjourned in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD) | Case adjourned with the possibility of dismissal if the defendant meets conditions |
ACD is a common outcome in New York for less serious offenses. After 6 months (or a year for some categories), the case is automatically closed and sealed.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Niagara
Certified copies of court records are official documents with a court or clerk's seal confirming authenticity. They are often required by employers, attorneys, or government agencies.
Where to Apply
To obtain certified copies of criminal court records, contact the county clerk's office:
For a complete state-level criminal history, the request is submitted to DCJS.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office with valid ID (driver's license or passport). Provide the name, case number, or date of birth.
- By Mail — send a written request with the full name of the defendant, case number (if known), type of document needed, and return address. Include payment in the form of a money order.
- Through DCJS — to request your own criminal history, submit fingerprints and complete the appropriate form. This can be done through authorized fingerprinting locations.
What You Need
- Valid photo ID
- The name and surname of the person for whom records are requested
- Case number (speeds up processing)
- Payment of applicable fees
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Niagara
Fees for copies of court records in New York are regulated by state law. Below are the approximate rates applicable in Niagara County.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.65 | According to NY State court rates |
| Document certification | $1.25 | Per certified document |
| Criminal history check through DCJS (for individuals) | $95.00 | Includes fingerprint processing |
| Clerk's record search | Depends on request type | Check with the clerk's office |
Processing Time
- In Person — simple copies are usually issued the same day or the next business day.
- By Mail — processing takes from one to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the request.
- Through DCJS — state-level criminal history checks may take several weeks from the time fingerprints are received.
Payment at the clerk's office is usually accepted in the form of a money order or check made payable to the Niagara County Clerk. Confirm current payment methods directly with the office, as conditions may change. Sealed records (sealed records) are not issued by regular public request — access to them is restricted by New York State law.