Access Smithtown Criminal Court Records
Smithtown criminal court records are handled by the Suffolk County court system and the Smithtown Town Court. This Long Island town has about 117,000 residents and sits in the northern part of Suffolk County. Felony cases go to Suffolk County Court in Riverhead. The Smithtown Town Court handles misdemeanors, violations, and traffic matters within town limits. You can search pending criminal cases for free through WebCrims or pay $95 for a statewide check through the OCA Criminal History Record Search.
Smithtown Overview
Where to Find Criminal Court Records in Smithtown
Criminal court records from Smithtown are split between the town and county levels. The Smithtown Town Court handles misdemeanor charges, violations, and traffic offenses. Felonies go to Suffolk County Court in Riverhead. The charge type determines which court has your records.
Suffolk County Court is at the Criminal Court Building, First Court Street, Riverhead, NY 11901. The phone number is (631) 852-1700. The court handles all felony criminal prosecutions in Suffolk County. The Suffolk County Clerk maintains the official case files as Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts. The clerk's office in Riverhead provides public access to court records under state law.
| Court | Suffolk County Court (Felonies) |
|---|---|
| Address | Criminal Court Building First Court Street Riverhead, NY 11901 |
| Phone | (631) 852-1700 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The Smithtown Town Court keeps its own records for misdemeanor dispositions, plea minutes, and sentencing information. Town courts in New York operate as part of the unified court system but maintain separate files. Contact the Smithtown Town Court clerk for copies of misdemeanor case records.
The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office prosecutes all criminal cases in the county. The DA has offices in both Hauppauge and Riverhead, with specialized units for Homicide, Special Victims, Economic Crimes, and Gang Investigations. The Suffolk County Police Department handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas, including much of Smithtown.
How to Search Smithtown Criminal Court Records
Multiple ways exist to find criminal records for Smithtown cases. Your search method depends on what you need and how fast you need it.
The OCA Criminal History Record Search costs $95 and covers all courts in all 62 New York counties. You need the person's full name and exact date of birth. Results come by email the next business day. The search will not show sealed records. Town and village court data is limited in CHRS, so some Smithtown Town Court dispositions may not appear. The results are not certified.
WebCrims is free and shows pending cases in Suffolk County Court. You can search by name or case number. Data updates four times a day. Closed cases drop out of the system. WebCrims also covers Nassau County and several other jurisdictions.
For in-person searches, the Suffolk County Clerk in Riverhead can pull felony case files. Bring the defendant's name and any case numbers. Certified copies cost a fee under CPLR 8019(f). For Smithtown Town Court misdemeanor records, contact the town court clerk directly. They can look up cases and provide copies.
Court records access falls under Judiciary Law 255, not FOIL. Requests go to the clerk of the court that handled the case. Police records from the Suffolk County Police Department are separate and require a FOIL request to the department.
Criminal Record Sealing in Smithtown
New York's record sealing statutes affect what shows up in searches for Smithtown criminal court records. Understanding these laws helps explain why some cases may not appear in search results.
CPL 160.50 automatically seals records when a case ends in the defendant's favor, including dismissals and acquittals. CPL 160.55 allows people to apply to seal certain violation convictions after ten years with no new arrests. CPL 160.58 permits sealing of up to two convictions under strict eligibility rules, with a ten-year wait from sentencing or release.
The Clean Slate law, CPL 160.59, took effect in 2024. It automatically seals eligible misdemeanor convictions after three years and felony convictions after eight years. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and Class A felonies are excluded. Over time, this will seal many old Suffolk County cases, including ones from Smithtown.
Individuals can check their own criminal history through DCJS. Request an "unsuppressed" report to see sealed records. Call 518-457-9847 or email RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov.
Smithtown Criminal Court Records Fees
The statewide CHRS costs $95 per name. Each alias is an extra $95.
At the Suffolk County Clerk's Office in Riverhead:
- Certificate of Disposition: $10 to $25
- Document copy fees per CPLR 8019(f)
- Search fees for locating records by name
Pay by check or money order to the Suffolk County Clerk. The Smithtown Town Court has its own fees for misdemeanor record copies. Call the town court to confirm amounts and payment methods. Call the Suffolk County Clerk at (631) 852-1700 for current fee information.
Legal Resources in Smithtown
Nassau Suffolk Law Services provides free legal help to income-eligible residents on Long Island. The Suffolk County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. For criminal record sealing questions, a lawyer can advise on which CPL section applies to your situation.
The NYS Unified Court System has self-help resources and forms on its website. For DCJS record reviews, contact 518-457-9847. The Tenth Judicial District office can help direct you to the right court for your needs.
Suffolk County Criminal Court Records
Smithtown is in Suffolk County. All felony cases go to the Suffolk County Court in Riverhead. The Tenth Judicial District covers Suffolk and Nassau Counties on Long Island. For a full guide to the county court system, visit the Suffolk County page.
Nearby Cities
Other Suffolk County communities with criminal court records pages: