Find Criminal Court Records in Bronx County

Criminal court records in Bronx County are handled through a system that works differently from most upstate counties. The Bronx is one of five boroughs in New York City and falls within the Eleventh Judicial District. Misdemeanor cases go through the Bronx Criminal Court at 215 East 161st Street. Felony cases are prosecuted in the Supreme Court Criminal Term. The Bronx County Clerk at 851 Grand Concourse maintains Supreme Court records, while the Criminal Court Clerk handles records from the lower court. This split can be confusing if you are not sure which court processed the case you need.

Bronx Criminal Court Records

The Bronx Criminal Court is at 215 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451. This court handles arraignments, misdemeanor prosecutions, violations, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. It runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for arraignments. That means an arrested person can be brought before a judge at any time, day or night.

The court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors like petit larceny, assault in the third degree, and criminal possession of marijuana. It also handles violations such as disorderly conduct, harassment, and traffic infractions. The Bronx Criminal Court is a high-volume court that processes thousands of cases each year. It has multiple courtroom parts handling different types of cases, including dedicated parts for domestic violence and drug treatment.

For closed criminal cases from this court, you need to request a Certificate of Disposition from the Criminal Court Clerk. This document shows the final outcome of the case. The fee is typically $10 to $15. You can make the request in person or by mail. For cases still pending, you can check the status through the free WebCrims system, which shows future court dates and charges.

Bronx County Clerk and Supreme Court Criminal Records

The Bronx County Clerk's Office is at 851 Grand Concourse, Room 102, Bronx, NY 10451. The phone number is 718-298-0600. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM. The County Clerk serves as the Clerk of the Supreme Court and maintains records for Supreme Court criminal cases, which are felonies and appeals.

Most criminal cases in the Bronx are processed through the Criminal Court for misdemeanors or the Supreme Court Criminal Term for felonies. The County Clerk's Office has fewer criminal records than the Criminal Court Clerk because many felony cases are handled at the Supreme Court Criminal Term in Kew Gardens, Queens. Still, the Bronx County Clerk does maintain files for cases that went through Bronx County Supreme Court.

Records can be accessed in person. Provide the index number if you have it, or the names of the parties. A Certificate of Disposition showing the final outcome of a Supreme Court case costs $15 from the County Clerk. The office also accepts filings for the Supreme Court, including motions and judgments. E-filing through NYSCEF is mandatory for attorneys in many case types.

How to Search Criminal Court Records in Bronx County

Searching for criminal court records in the Bronx requires knowing which court handled the case. Misdemeanors go through the Criminal Court. Felonies go through the Supreme Court Criminal Term. Each court has its own clerk and its own process for records requests.

For pending cases, WebCrims is a free tool that covers all New York City criminal courts including the Bronx. It shows defendant name, docket number, next court date, charges, and the assigned judge. The system updates four times per day. You can search by name or case number. Once a case is resolved and the defendant's obligations are done, it drops off WebCrims. At that point you need a Certificate of Disposition from the court clerk.

The OCA Criminal History Record Search costs $95 and covers all 62 counties. It will show Bronx County convictions and open cases. Sealed records under CPL 160.50 will not appear. The search requires an exact match of name and date of birth. Results are emailed the next business day if no records exist. If records are found, staff review them before sending, which may take longer.

The Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains fingerprint-based criminal history records. These are not public. Individuals can request their own record, which will show both sealed and unsealed information depending on which version they request. Third parties cannot access DCJS records without specific legal authorization.

Bronx District Attorney's Office

The Bronx County District Attorney's Office is at 198 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451. The main phone number is 718-590-2000. The DA's office prosecutes all criminal cases in Bronx County, working closely with the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies. The office has specialized units for domestic violence, sex crimes, narcotics, gang prosecutions, and economic crimes.

The DA does not provide rap sheets or criminal history reports. Those must come from the OCA Criminal History Record Search or, for city arrests, the NYPD. The DA's office can only provide records of cases it actually prosecuted. Closed case files may be archived or destroyed based on retention schedules. For older case records, contact the court clerk or the New York State Archives.

The office runs a Witness Aid Services Unit that helps victims and witnesses with court appearances, transportation, safety planning, and referrals to community resources. The unit also processes victim compensation claims. If you are a victim tracking a case, this unit can help you stay informed about court dates and outcomes.

Record Sealing Under New York Law

Sealed records are not available through any public search of Bronx County criminal court records. Under CPL 160.50, records of dismissed cases and acquittals are automatically sealed. Once sealed, the records cannot be accessed by the public. CPL 160.59, the Clean Slate law, automatically seals eligible misdemeanor convictions after three years and eligible felony convictions after eight years from the completion of the sentence.

For people looking to seal their own Bronx County criminal records, CPL 160.58 allows sealing of up to two eligible convictions if the person has no pending charges and meets a ten-year waiting period. This requires a formal application to the court with notice to the DA. Sex offenses, violent felonies, and Class A felonies cannot be sealed. The Criminal Procedure Law has the full text of these sealing statutes.

Online Access to Bronx County Criminal Court Records

Several online tools cover Bronx County criminal court records. WebCrims is the best free option for pending cases. The OCA CHRS is the most thorough option for a comprehensive search but costs $95. The NYC OpenRecords portal at a860-openrecords.nyc.gov lets you submit FOIL requests to the NYPD and District Attorney offices for police reports and administrative records, but actual court records must be requested from the court clerk under Judiciary Law 255.

Court records from before 1966 may be held by the Municipal Archives, not the court. Researchers looking into historical criminal cases in the Bronx would need to visit the Archives in person or hire a researcher to access those older files. The Archives also holds records from the old police courts and magistrate courts that no longer exist.

Cities in Bronx County

Bronx County is coterminous with the Borough of the Bronx, which is part of New York City. All criminal cases from the Bronx go through either the Bronx Criminal Court or the Supreme Court Criminal Term.

Nearby Counties

Bronx County borders several other counties. Each county has its own court system and criminal records.