Criminal records in Erie County, New York, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. ErieCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Erie County. Additional access points include the New York State Unified Court System's electronic filing portal, the Erie County Sheriff's Office, and the Erie County Clerk's Office, each of which maintains different categories of records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Erie
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Erie County, depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Through ErieCourt.us
Start at ErieCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information tied to Erie County criminal cases. You can search using:
- Defendant's full name (first and last)
- Case number, if known
- Date of birth (helps narrow results for common names)
Online — Official Portals
- New York State Courts Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF): E-filed documents in Erie County are available immediately for online public viewing through the state's electronic filing system. Search by case index number or party name.
- Erie County Sheriff's Office — Warrant Search: The Sheriff's Office maintains a public warrant search tool that allows you to look up active warrants by last name.
- Erie County Sheriff's Office — Inmate Roster: A current inmate roster is published as a downloadable PDF, listing names, dates of birth, facility, and booking dates.
- NYS DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup: For individuals sentenced to state prison, use the DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup to search by name or DIN (Department Identification Number).
- VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday): Crime victims can track offender custody status through the New York Sheriff's VINE service.
In Person
Visit the Erie County Clerk's Office at the courthouse in downtown Buffalo. Public access terminals and counter staff can help you locate criminal case files for Supreme Court and County Court matters. Bring the defendant's full name and, if possible, a case or index number.
By Mail or Written Request
- Erie County Clerk's Office: Submit a written request for court records. For closed criminal records, you must use the Closed Criminal Record Request Form, which must be printed, notarized, and mailed to the Clerk's Office.
- NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS): For a formal criminal history record check, requests go through DCJS, which is the state's criminal history repository. These checks are fingerprint-based and generally limited to authorized requestors or the subject of the record.
Note: The Erie County Sheriff's Office does not perform fingerprinting for New York State criminal history checks. Personal local police record history checks are handled separately — check the Sheriff's Office page for current availability.
Search Erie Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is faster and more precise. In New York, criminal case numbers follow formats that vary by court level:
- Supreme Court / County Court index numbers typically follow a format like 2024/1234 — the year of filing followed by a sequential number.
- Local criminal court cases (City Court, Town Court, Village Court) use docket numbers assigned by that specific court. These may include letter prefixes indicating the court or case type (e.g., CR for criminal).
- NYSCEF filings use the index number to retrieve all e-filed documents in a case.
When searching by case number through the state e-filing system or the Clerk's Office, enter the number exactly as assigned. Partial numbers or transposed digits will return no results. If you are unsure of the format, contact the Erie County Clerk's Office for guidance.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Erie
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | References the New York Penal Law section (e.g., PL 120.05 — Assault in the Second Degree) |
| Felony | Serious offenses carrying potential state prison time; classified A through E in New York |
| Misdemeanor | Less serious offenses; Class A (up to 1 year jail) or Class B (up to 3 months) or Unclassified |
| Violation | Non-criminal offenses (e.g., disorderly conduct) that do not result in a criminal record |
| Amended Charges | Original charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations |
Case Status
- Pending: Case is open; charges have been filed but no final disposition yet
- Active: Case is proceeding through the court process
- Disposed: A final outcome has been entered (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Sealed: Record is restricted from public view under CPL § 160.50 or § 160.55
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: First court appearance; charges are read and bail is set
- Preliminary Hearing: Used in felony cases to determine if enough evidence exists to proceed
- Pre-Trial Conference: Scheduling and plea negotiation discussions
- Suppression Hearing: Defense challenges admissibility of evidence
- Trial: Bench or jury trial on the merits
- Sentencing: Court imposes penalties after a guilty plea or conviction
Court Results
| Disposition | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Adjourned in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD) | Case adjourned; dismissed after a set period if no new arrests occur |
| Sealed | Record restricted from public access following dismissal or ACD under New York law |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Erie
Erie County Clerk's Office
The Clerk's Office handles certified copies of Supreme Court and County Court criminal records. For closed or sealed criminal records, a notarized Closed Criminal Record Request Form is required.
What you need:
- Defendant's full legal name
- Case or index number (if available)
- Government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Notarized request form for sealed/closed records
- Payment for applicable fees
NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services
For a fingerprint-based official criminal history record, submit a request through DCJS. These are typically used for employment, licensing, or personal review. You will need to be fingerprinted at an authorized IdentoGO location — the Erie County Sheriff's Office does not provide this service for state checks.
Local Courts
City of Buffalo City Court and town/village justice courts maintain their own criminal case files. Contact the specific court where the case was heard for certified copies of local court records.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Erie
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy of court document | $0.65 per page | Per CPLR § 8019 |
| Certified copy of court document | $1.25 per page (minimum $5.00) | Per CPLR § 8019; certification fee included |
| County Clerk record search (per name, per type) | $5.00 | Per CPLR § 8021 |
| DCJS criminal history record check (personal review) | $75.00 | Paid to IdentoGO at time of fingerprinting |
| DCJS criminal history record check (employment/licensing) | Varies by agency | Fee set by requesting agency or statute |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the Clerk's Office: Often same-day for available records
- Mail requests: Typically 1–2 weeks, depending on volume and whether the record is sealed or closed
- DCJS fingerprint-based checks: Results usually returned within 2–4 weeks
- E-filed documents via NYSCEF: Available immediately online once filed
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Erie County Clerk's Office or the relevant court before submitting payment.