Amherst Criminal Court Records Lookup
Amherst criminal court records are handled through the Erie County court system and the Amherst Town Court. As a town in Erie County with roughly 130,000 residents, Amherst is one of the most populous communities in western New York. Felony cases go to Erie County Court in Buffalo. The Amherst Town Court handles misdemeanors, violations, and traffic offenses committed within town limits. You can run a statewide criminal history search through the OCA for $95 or search pending cases on WebCrims at no cost.
Amherst Overview
Where to Find Criminal Court Records in Amherst
Criminal court records in Amherst are split between the town court and the county system. The Amherst Town Court handles misdemeanors, violations, and traffic infractions. Felony cases from Amherst go to Erie County Court at 25 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo.
The Erie County Clerk's Office maintains all felony case records as Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts. The office is at Erie County Hall in Buffalo. The County Clerk is Michael P. Kearns. The office processes thousands of documents each year and serves nearly one million people across Erie County.
| Court | Erie County Court (Felonies) |
|---|---|
| Address | 25 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| Phone | (716) 845-2505 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The Amherst Town Court is a local court that handles lower-level criminal matters for the town. Town courts in New York are part of the unified court system but keep their own records. If a case starts in Amherst Town Court as a felony complaint, it will be transferred to Erie County Court after preliminary proceedings. The town court retains records of misdemeanor dispositions.
The Erie County District Attorney's Office handles all criminal prosecutions in the county. District Attorney Michael J. Keane's office litigates about 25,000 cases per year. The DA's Victim/Witness Assistance Bureau helps victims track case status and get information about their cases. The office is at Erie County Hall in Buffalo.
How to Search Amherst Criminal Court Records
Several tools are available for searching criminal records from Amherst cases.
The OCA Criminal History Record Search is the statewide option. It costs $95 per name and requires the full name and exact date of birth. Results come by email the next business day. CHRS covers all courts in all 62 counties. But it will not show sealed records, and the results are not certified. Town and village court disposition data is limited in CHRS results, so some Amherst Town Court cases may not appear.
WebCrims is free and shows pending cases with future court dates. Erie County Court cases are in the system. Search by name or case number. Updates happen four times daily. Once a case ends, it leaves WebCrims. The system also covers Buffalo City Court, which handles some urban cases nearby.
Erie County offers online record access through SearchIQS for land records and some court filings. The index of cases may be searchable online. Full criminal case files still require a direct request to the Erie County Clerk or a visit to the office in Buffalo.
For Amherst Town Court records, contact the town court clerk directly. Town courts keep their own files for misdemeanor cases. The court clerk can provide copies and look up case information. In-person visits to the Erie County Clerk for felony records require the defendant's name and any available case details.
Criminal Record Sealing Laws Affecting Amherst
Several New York statutes control when criminal records are sealed. This affects what you find when searching Amherst criminal court records.
CPL 160.50 seals records automatically when a case is dismissed or the defendant wins at trial. This includes adjournments in contemplation of dismissal. CPL 160.55 lets people apply to seal certain violation convictions after ten years. CPL 160.58 allows sealing of up to two convictions under strict conditions, including a ten-year waiting period from sentencing or release.
The Clean Slate law under CPL 160.59 began automatic sealing in 2024. Eligible misdemeanors seal three years after the sentence ends. Eligible felonies seal after eight years. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and Class A felonies do not qualify. Many old cases from Amherst Town Court and Erie County Court will be affected.
Access to court records in New York is governed by Judiciary Law 255. Requests must go directly to the court clerk. They must be specific and describe the records you want. Police records from the Amherst Police Department are separate and require a FOIL request to the department.
DCJS record reviews let individuals see their own criminal history, including sealed records. Contact 518-457-9847 or email RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov for details.
Fees for Amherst Criminal Court Records
The statewide CHRS is $95 per name search. Aliases and date of birth variations each cost an extra $95.
At the Erie County Clerk's Office:
- Certificate of Disposition: $10 to $25
- Copy fees under CPLR 8019(f)
- Certified copies carry extra fees
- Search fee for name-based lookups
The Amherst Town Court may have its own fee schedule for copies of misdemeanor records. Contact the town court clerk to confirm. Payment to the Erie County Clerk is typically by check or money order. Call ahead at (716) 845-2505 to confirm current fees.
Legal Help in Amherst
Neighborhood Legal Services serves the Amherst and Buffalo area with free legal assistance for qualifying residents. The Erie County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. For record sealing help, an attorney can assist with applications under CPL 160.50, 160.55, 160.58, or 160.59.
The NYS Unified Court System website provides self-help resources and forms. DCJS handles criminal history record reviews for individuals who want to check their own records. The Eighth Judicial District office in Buffalo can direct you to the right court for your specific needs.
Erie County Criminal Court Records
Amherst is in Erie County. All felony cases go to Erie County Court in Buffalo. The Eighth Judicial District covers Erie and seven other western New York counties. For a full guide to the county system, visit the Erie County page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in Erie County with criminal court records pages: