Hempstead Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records for Hempstead are handled through the Nassau County court system and the Town of Hempstead Justice Court. Hempstead is the most populous town on Long Island with about 800,000 residents. The Justice Court deals with misdemeanor charges, violations, and traffic offenses that happen within town limits. Felony cases go to Nassau County Court in Mineola. You can search pending cases through the WebCrims system, which covers Nassau County. For older records or certified documents, contact the Nassau County Clerk or the Justice Court clerk directly.
Hempstead Overview
Where Hempstead Criminal Court Records Are Kept
Hempstead is a town in Nassau County. That distinction matters for criminal records. The Town of Hempstead Justice Court handles misdemeanor cases, violations, and traffic infractions that arise within the town. Misdemeanor records from the Justice Court are kept by the court clerk. Felony cases are a different story.
When someone in Hempstead is arrested for a felony, the case starts in Justice Court for the initial appearance. After that, it moves to Nassau County Court at 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501. Phone: (516) 493-4300. The County Court has jurisdiction over all felony prosecutions in Nassau County. The Nassau County District Attorney's Office handles the prosecution.
| Court | Town of Hempstead Justice Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 99 Nichols Court Hempstead, NY 11550 |
| Phone | (516) 489-5000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Nassau County Clerk in Mineola serves as Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts. The Clerk's office maintains felony case records, including indictments, plea minutes, and sentencing documents. This office is your main source for certified copies of felony criminal court records from Hempstead cases.
How to Search Hempstead Criminal Court Records
Start with WebCrims if you need info on a pending case. The system covers Nassau County and shows case status, charges, and court dates. It is free to use. Search by name or docket number through the NYS Courts website.
The statewide Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) from the Office of Court Administration costs $95. It checks all courts in New York. You need the person's exact name and date of birth. Results come back showing convictions and pending cases from any court in the state. Submit your request through the OCA CHRS portal.
For Hempstead Justice Court records specifically, call the court clerk at (516) 489-5000. They can look up cases by name or docket number. In-person visits let you view files and get copies the same day. For Nassau County Court felony records, visit the County Clerk at 240 Old Country Road in Mineola.
Town court records from Hempstead are maintained separately from county records. If you aren't sure which court handled a case, start with the CHRS search. It will show you the court of record. You can also check the NYS court system website for a general guide to Nassau County records.
Criminal Record Sealing in Hempstead
Records from Hempstead cases can be sealed under the same state laws that apply everywhere in New York. CPL 160.50 requires automatic sealing when a case ends in dismissal or acquittal. The court and police must seal all records tied to the case. This happens without any action from the defendant.
If a case resulted in a non-criminal conviction, CPL 160.55 kicks in. Violations and traffic infractions are sealed from the public. Only law enforcement can see them after that. People often don't realize their violation-level case was sealed, but it was.
CPL 160.59 is for people with criminal convictions who want to apply for sealing. You must wait ten years after the end of your sentence. Up to two convictions can be sealed, but only one can be a felony. The court considers the nature of the crime, your record since then, and the impact of sealing on your life. Drug convictions tied to treatment programs may qualify under CPL 160.58 as well.
Under Judiciary Law 255, courts control access to their own records. Town Justice Courts and County Courts both follow these rules. Sealed records will not show up in CHRS or WebCrims searches.
Hempstead Criminal Court Records Fees
Costs depend on what you need. A CHRS search is $95. A Certificate of Disposition costs $10 per case. Certified copies of court documents run about $1.25 per page. The Nassau County Clerk charges a search fee of $5 per two years searched.
WebCrims is free for pending case lookups. There is no charge to check case status online. For Justice Court records, call the court to ask about specific fees since they can vary. Fee waivers are available if you can show financial hardship. Ask the court clerk for the paperwork.
Legal Resources for Hempstead Residents
Nassau Suffolk Law Services provides free legal help to low-income residents in Hempstead and across Long Island. They handle some criminal record matters including sealing applications. The Legal Aid Society of Nassau County also represents people who can't afford a private attorney in criminal cases.
The Nassau County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call to get connected with a criminal defense attorney in the area. The DCJS Record Review page can help you understand your own criminal history and challenge any errors.
Nassau County Criminal Court Records
Hempstead is in Nassau County, and felony criminal cases go through the Nassau County Court in Mineola. The county page has more details on the full court system, the District Attorney's Office, and how to get records from county-level courts.
Nearby Cities
Several other towns and cities on Long Island also have criminal court records pages available.