Buffalo Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Buffalo are handled by Buffalo City Court for misdemeanors and Erie County Court for felonies. Buffalo is the second-largest city in New York with about 278,000 residents and serves as the county seat of Erie County. The city has its own City Court with jurisdiction over misdemeanors, violations, and traffic cases within city limits. Felony cases move to Erie County Court at 25 Delaware Avenue. You can search pending criminal cases for free through WebCrims, which covers Erie County. The Erie County Clerk maintains records for felony cases heard in County Court and Supreme Court.
Buffalo Overview
Buffalo Criminal Court Records and the Court System
Buffalo City Court is the local court for criminal matters in the city. It handles misdemeanors, violations, and traffic infractions. The court also does arraignments and preliminary felony hearings. Once a grand jury indicts someone, the felony case transfers to Erie County Court.
| Court | Buffalo City Court - Criminal Part |
|---|---|
| Address | 50 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| Phone | (716) 845-2600 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Erie County Court is at 25 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202. The county court handles all felony prosecutions. The Erie County District Attorney's Office prosecutes about 25,000 cases each year across local, county, and state courts. District Attorney Michael J. Keane's office works with the Buffalo Police Department and other agencies on criminal cases.
The Erie County Clerk maintains criminal court records as Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts. The Clerk's office is at Erie County Hall in downtown Buffalo. This is where you get certified copies of felony records, including indictments, plea minutes, and sentencing documents. Buffalo City Court records for misdemeanors are kept at the court itself.
Buffalo City Court also runs specialty courts. The Drug Treatment Court and Mental Health Court handle cases where the defendant has substance abuse or mental health issues. These courts maintain their own records of participant progress. The specialty court records are part of the overall court file.
How to Search Buffalo Criminal Court Records
WebCrims is the first place to check. It covers Erie County and is free. Search by defendant name or case number to see pending case info, charges, court dates, and judge assignments. The system is updated regularly.
The OCA Criminal History Record Search costs $95 and covers all courts statewide. Submit your request through the CHRS portal with the person's name and date of birth. Results come by mail and show all convictions and pending cases across New York.
For Buffalo City Court records, call (716) 845-2600 or visit the court in person. The clerk can search by name or docket number and provide copies. For Erie County Court felony records, go to the County Clerk at Erie County Hall. The search fee is $5 per two-year period. A Certificate of Disposition costs $10.
Buffalo Police Department records are a separate matter. Arrest reports and incident reports can be requested through the police records division. These are subject to FOIL rules, not the court record access rules under Judiciary Law 255. Contact the Buffalo Police at (716) 851-4444 for records requests.
Criminal Record Sealing in Buffalo
Sealing rules in Buffalo follow state law. CPL 160.50 mandates automatic sealing when a case is dismissed or results in acquittal. The court, police, and DA all seal their records. Nobody has to file an application.
Non-criminal outcomes are covered by CPL 160.55. If you pled to a violation instead of a misdemeanor, the record is sealed from public access. Traffic infractions get the same treatment. Only law enforcement and certain agencies retain access after sealing.
For older criminal convictions, CPL 160.59 allows sealing after ten years from the end of the sentence. You can seal up to two convictions. One of those can be a felony. The judge considers the nature of the crime, the time that has passed, and what you have done since. Drug treatment cases may qualify under CPL 160.58.
The Eighth Judicial District, which includes Erie County and Buffalo, processes sealing applications through the County Court. Talk to a lawyer about whether your case qualifies. Several Buffalo-area legal aid organizations can help with these applications at no cost.
Buffalo Criminal Court Records Fees
Here are the standard costs for criminal records from Buffalo:
- CHRS statewide search: $95
- Certificate of Disposition: $10
- Certified copies: $1.25 per page
- County Clerk search: $5 per two years
- WebCrims: free
Buffalo City Court may charge different fees for local record copies. Call the court to check current rates. Fee waivers are available to people with financial need. Ask the clerk for the application form.
Legal Resources in Buffalo
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo provides free legal services to low-income residents. They handle criminal defense and can help with record-related issues. Neighborhood Legal Services also serves the Buffalo area with free legal assistance.
The Erie County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service for people who need a private attorney. The DCJS Record Review page lets you check your own criminal record and learn how to correct errors. The New York Courts Erie County guide has more information about the county court system.
Erie County Criminal Court Records
Buffalo is the county seat of Erie County. Felony cases from Buffalo are tried in Erie County Court. The county page covers the full court system, the District Attorney's Office, and record access options for all of Erie County.
Nearby Cities
Other cities and towns near Buffalo with criminal court records pages: