Access Colonie Criminal Court Records
Colonie criminal court records are handled through the Albany County court system and the Colonie Town Court. Located just north of the City of Albany, Colonie has roughly 83,000 residents and is the largest town in Albany County. Felony cases go to Albany County Court at the courthouse in downtown Albany. The Colonie Town Court deals with misdemeanors, violations, and traffic matters within town limits. You can run a statewide criminal history search for $95 through the OCA or check pending cases on WebCrims for free.
Colonie Overview
Where to Find Criminal Court Records in Colonie
Criminal records from Colonie are split between two courts. Felonies go to Albany County Court. Misdemeanors and violations stay in Colonie Town Court. The charge decides which court keeps the file.
The Albany County Courthouse is at 16 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207. The County Clerk's phone number is (518) 487-5100. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The County Clerk maintains all Supreme and County Court records, including felony case files. A Certificate of Disposition costs $10 from the Albany County Clerk.
| Court | Albany County Court (Felonies) |
|---|---|
| Address | Albany County Courthouse 16 Eagle Street Albany, NY 12207 |
| Phone | (518) 487-5100 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
The Colonie Town Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic matters, and violations for the town. The court keeps its own records and is part of the unified court system. If a felony complaint starts in Colonie Town Court, it gets sent up to Albany County Court after the preliminary hearing. Contact the Colonie Town Court clerk for misdemeanor records.
The Albany County District Attorney's Office at 6 Lodge Street, Albany, NY 12207 prosecutes all criminal cases in the county. Phone is (518) 487-2700. The DA handles felony and misdemeanor prosecutions from Colonie. The Colonie Police Department maintains arrest records and incident reports separately from court files.
Albany County also has online record access through SearchIQS. You can search some court filings and land records from your computer. But complete criminal case files still need a direct request to the County Clerk's Office in person or by mail.
How to Search Colonie Criminal Court Records
Several options exist for searching criminal records from Colonie.
The OCA Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name and covers all 62 counties. You need the person's exact name and date of birth. Results come by email the next business day. Sealed records are excluded. Town court data is limited in CHRS results, so some Colonie Town Court cases may not appear. The results are not certified.
WebCrims is free and shows pending cases with future court dates. Albany County Court cases may be in the system. Search by name or case number. Data updates four times a day. Once a case closes, it leaves WebCrims.
For in-person searches, the Albany County Clerk at 16 Eagle Street can pull felony case files. Bring the defendant's name and any case numbers. Certified copies cost fees under CPLR 8019(f). For Colonie Town Court misdemeanor records, go through the town court clerk.
Court records access falls under Judiciary Law 255. Requests go directly to the court clerk. Police records from the Colonie Police Department are separate and require a FOIL request to the department.
Criminal Record Sealing Laws Affecting Colonie
New York's sealing laws determine what criminal records are available in public searches for Colonie cases.
Under CPL 160.50, records seal automatically when a case is dismissed or the defendant is acquitted. CPL 160.55 covers sealing of certain violation convictions after ten years with no new arrests. CPL 160.58 allows sealing of up to two convictions for eligible people who have waited ten years from sentencing or release.
The Clean Slate law, CPL 160.59, went into effect in 2024. Eligible misdemeanor convictions seal automatically three years after the sentence is done. Eligible felonies seal after eight years. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and Class A felonies do not qualify. This law will seal many old cases from Albany County Court and Colonie Town Court over time.
Check your own criminal history through DCJS. An "unsuppressed" report shows sealed records. Contact RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov or 518-457-9847 for details.
Colonie Criminal Court Records Fees
The CHRS is $95 per name. Each alias costs an extra $95.
At the Albany County Clerk's Office:
- Certificate of Disposition: $10
- Document copies per CPLR 8019(f)
- Search fees for name lookups
- Certified copies carry extra fees
Pay by check or money order to the Albany County Clerk. Colonie Town Court has its own fees for misdemeanor records. Call (518) 487-5100 for county clerk information or contact the town court for local fees.
Legal Resources in Colonie
The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York serves Colonie and the Capital Region. They provide free legal help to qualifying individuals. The Albany County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service for private attorneys.
For record sealing, an attorney can file under CPL 160.50, 160.55, 160.58, or 160.59 depending on your case. DCJS handles personal record reviews at 518-457-9847 or RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov. The NYS Unified Court System website has self-help resources and forms.
Albany County Criminal Court Records
Colonie is in Albany County. All felony cases go to Albany County Court at 16 Eagle Street in Albany. The Third Judicial District oversees courts in Albany and six surrounding counties. For a complete guide, visit the Albany County page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Colonie with criminal court records pages: