Oswego County Criminal Records
What Is Oswego County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Oswego County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to New York State Public Officers Law § 87, which establishes the framework for public records management throughout the state.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, which do not necessarily indicate guilt
- Conviction Records: Official records of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal proceedings
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
- Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration
- Adult Records: Criminal proceedings for individuals 18 and older, generally accessible to the public
- Juvenile Records: Proceedings for minors under 18, which are typically sealed under New York Family Court Act § 375.1
- Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest issued by judicial authorities
- Historical Records: Archives of past criminal proceedings and dispositions
Multiple agencies maintain different components of criminal records in Oswego County:
Oswego County Sheriff's Office
39 Churchill Road
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 349-3302
Oswego County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records for the county.
Oswego County Clerk's Office
46 East Bridge Street
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 349-8621
Oswego County Clerk
The County Clerk serves as clerk for the Supreme and County Courts, filing and maintaining court proceedings and records.
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
80 South Swan Street
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 457-5837
New York State DCJS
The DCJS maintains the central repository of criminal history information for the state.
Criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing decisions, and probation or parole information. These records are governed by the New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, which defines the parameters for criminal record maintenance and accessibility.
Are Criminal Records Public In Oswego County
Criminal records in Oswego County are generally considered public documents under the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law Article 6, § 84-90. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, should be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.
The law states: "The legislature hereby finds that a free society is maintained when government is responsive and responsible to the public, and when the public is aware of governmental actions... The people's right to know the process of governmental decision-making and to review the documents and statistics leading to determinations is basic to our society."
However, not all criminal record information is publicly accessible. The following distinctions apply to criminal records in Oswego County:
Publicly Available Records:
- Court proceedings and calendars for adult cases
- Conviction records for adults
- Sex offender registry information
- Inmate custody status
Restricted or Limited Access Records:
- Ongoing criminal investigations
- Records sealed pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Youthful offender adjudications
- Records where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Grand jury proceedings
The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) maintains the official criminal history record information for the state. While certain case information is publicly accessible through court clerks and online portals, comprehensive criminal history reports (commonly called "rap sheets") containing arrest and conviction data from multiple jurisdictions are generally only available to the subject of the record or to authorized agencies for specific purposes.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records in Oswego County must follow established procedures for record requests, which may include submitting formal applications, paying applicable fees, and providing proper identification. The accessibility of specific records may be subject to judicial determination if disputes arise regarding disclosure.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Oswego County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Oswego County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each serving different purposes and containing varying levels of information.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
Oswego County Clerk's Office
46 East Bridge Street
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 349-8621
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oswego County Clerk
The following step-by-step process applies for obtaining criminal records:
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Determine the specific records needed: Identify whether you require court records, arrest records, or other criminal justice information.
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Submit a formal request: Complete the appropriate request form, which varies based on the type of record sought. Forms are available at the County Clerk's Office or on the county website.
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Provide identification: Present valid government-issued photo identification when requesting records in person.
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Pay applicable fees: Court records typically require payment of copying fees, currently set at $0.65 per page for certified copies and $0.25 per page for uncertified copies.
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Submit fingerprints if required: For comprehensive background checks, fingerprint submission may be necessary through authorized channeling agencies.
For court records specifically, requesters may contact:
Oswego County Supreme and County Court
25 East Oneida Street
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 349-3167
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
New York State Unified Court System
For law enforcement records, contact:
Oswego County Sheriff's Office - Records Division
39 Churchill Road
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 349-3302
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Oswego County Sheriff's Office
Requests for criminal records must comply with the provisions of the New York State Freedom of Information Law. Certain records may be subject to redaction or withholding pursuant to statutory exemptions.
How To Find Criminal Records in Oswego County Online?
Oswego County provides several digital resources for accessing criminal records information online. These electronic systems offer varying levels of detail and cover different aspects of the criminal justice process.
The primary online resources for criminal records in Oswego County include:
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New York State Unified Court System WebCrims: This portal provides access to pending and closed criminal cases in participating courts throughout New York State, including Oswego County courts. Users can search by name or case number to retrieve basic case information, including charges, appearance dates, and case status.
Search capabilities include:
- Defendant name search
- Case number search
- Judge/attorney search
- Future appearance date search
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Oswego County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup: The Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of current inmates housed in the Oswego County Jail. This resource provides custody status, booking information, and scheduled release dates when available.
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New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Inmate Lookup: For individuals sentenced to state prison, this database provides information on current inmates and those released within the past year.
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New York State Sex Offender Registry: This database contains information on registered sex offenders residing in Oswego County and throughout New York State.
When using these online resources, users should note the following:
- Some systems require registration or the creation of a user account
- Information may be updated at different intervals depending on the system
- Online records may not contain complete case information
- Certain sensitive or sealed records will not appear in public online searches
- Official certified copies of records typically require in-person requests
For comprehensive criminal history information, the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) provides statewide criminal history record searches for a fee of $95.00 per name. These searches can be requested through the OCA website and provide information on criminal convictions from courts throughout New York State.
OCA Criminal History Record Search
Can You Search Oswego County Criminal Records for Free?
Pursuant to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law § 87), members of the public have the right to inspect certain criminal records maintained by Oswego County government agencies at no cost. While copying fees may apply for obtaining physical or certified copies, the inspection of publicly available records is generally free of charge.
Free inspection of criminal records is available at the following locations:
Oswego County Clerk's Office
46 East Bridge Street
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 349-8621
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oswego County Clerk
Oswego County Supreme and County Court
25 East Oneida Street
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 349-3167
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
New York State Unified Court System
Several online resources also provide free access to certain criminal record information:
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New York State WebCrims: This portal allows free searches of criminal cases in participating courts, including basic case information such as charges, appearance dates, and case status.
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Oswego County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup: Free access to current inmate information for the Oswego County Jail.
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New York State Sex Offender Registry: Free public access to information on registered sex offenders.
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New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Inmate Lookup: Free access to information on current state prison inmates.
While these resources provide free access to certain criminal record information, it is important to note that:
- Free resources may not provide comprehensive criminal history information
- Some records may only be available through paid services
- Certified copies of court documents typically require payment of statutory fees
- Background checks for employment or licensing purposes generally involve fees
- Access to sealed or confidential records is restricted by law
For individuals seeking their own criminal history information, the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services provides a process for obtaining a personal criminal history record review, which involves a fee and fingerprint submission.
What's Included in a Oswego County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained in Oswego County typically contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are structured to include several key categories of information as prescribed by the New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at arrest with corresponding penal code citations
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention facility information
- Arresting agency case number
Court Case Information:
- Court case number and docket information
- Court of jurisdiction (Supreme Court, County Court, City Court)
- Case filing date
- Formal charges filed by prosecution
- Statutory classification of charges (felony class A-E or misdemeanor class A-B)
- Defense attorney information
- Prosecutor information
- Judge assigned to the case
- Plea information
- Court appearance dates
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length and facility
- Probation terms and conditions
- Fines and court costs imposed
- Restitution ordered
- Community service requirements
- Treatment program mandates
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation or parole status and conditions
- Completion or violation of sentence terms
Additional Information:
- Active warrants or orders of protection
- Sex offender registration requirements and level
- DWI/DUI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Prior criminal history summary
- Protective orders or restraining orders
- Specialized court participation (Drug Court, Mental Health Court, etc.)
The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary based on the specific agency maintaining the record and the purpose for which the record is being accessed. Records maintained by the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services typically contain the most complete criminal history information, while court records focus primarily on case proceedings and dispositions.
It should be noted that certain information may be redacted or limited in publicly accessible versions of criminal records to protect privacy interests or comply with sealing statutes.
How Long Does Oswego County Keep Criminal Records?
Oswego County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the New York State Archives under the authority of Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 57.25. These schedules mandate minimum retention periods for various types of criminal justice records, though many records are retained permanently due to their historical and legal significance.
The following retention periods apply to common criminal record document types:
- Felony Case Files: Permanent retention for cases resulting in conviction; 10 years after case closure for acquittals or dismissals
- Misdemeanor Case Files: 10 years after case closure
- Violation/Infraction Case Files: 5 years after case closure
- Arrest Records: 10 years after the death of the individual or 90 years after date of arrest, whichever is shorter
- Booking Records: 10 years
- Criminal History Information (Rap Sheets): Permanent retention by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
- Court Dockets and Indices: Permanent retention
- Grand Jury Records: Permanent retention with restricted access
- Probation Records: 10 years after discharge from supervision
- Parole Records: 10 years after discharge from supervision
- Warrant Records: Until executed or recalled, plus 10 years
- Sex Offender Registration Records: Permanent retention
Certain events may trigger the sealing or expungement of criminal records before the standard retention period expires. Under Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59, individuals may apply for sealing of eligible criminal convictions after a 10-year waiting period from the date of conviction or release from incarceration, whichever is later.
Additionally, the 2019 New York State Criminal Justice Reform Act expanded the automatic sealing provisions for certain marijuana offenses and created new pathways for record sealing. When records are sealed pursuant to these provisions, they are removed from public access but typically retained by law enforcement agencies for internal purposes.
The Oswego County Clerk's Office and the New York State Office of Court Administration maintain the official court records according to these retention schedules. Records that have met their retention requirements may be destroyed in accordance with approved disposition procedures, though many court records are preserved permanently for their historical value.
For specific information regarding the retention status of particular criminal records, interested parties should contact:
Oswego County Records Management Department
200 North Second Street
Fulton, NY 13069
(315) 591-9108
Records Management
Lookup Criminal Records in Oswego County
Court Records in Oswego County
New York State Sex Offender Registry