Search Erie County Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records in Erie County are held by the County Clerk's Office at Erie County Hall in Buffalo. Erie County is the largest county in Western New York, with close to one million people. It falls in the Eighth Judicial District. The County Court handles felony cases, and the Buffalo City Court takes on misdemeanors and violations within city limits. The District Attorney's Office processes roughly 25,000 cases a year across local, county, and specialty courts. Whether you need to look up a criminal case, get a copy of a disposition, or check the status of pending charges, the County Clerk's Office in Buffalo is the place to start for Supreme and County Court records.

Erie County Clerk's Office

The Erie County Clerk's Office is run by Michael P. Kearns and is the official record keeper for the Supreme Court and County Court. The office handles court documents, real property records, and other official filings. All criminal case papers for the County Court flow through this office. That means indictments, plea minutes, trial records, and sentencing documents are all on file here.

Erie County Court is at 25 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo. The Eighth Judicial District oversees court operations in Erie County and seven other Western New York counties. The district administrative office is also in Buffalo, at 92 Franklin Street. The District Attorney's Office, led by District Attorney Michael J. Keane, is the main prosecuting body. It has specialized units for homicide, sex offenses, domestic violence, economic crimes, and narcotics. The DA's Office reviews all felony arrests and makes charging decisions, presents cases to the Grand Jury, and handles everything through trial or plea.

For misdemeanor cases in the City of Buffalo, the Buffalo City Court is the court of record. It handles criminal matters, traffic violations, and civil cases within city limits. The court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors and violations. Felony cases start here but get transferred to Erie County Court after initial proceedings. The Buffalo City Court clerk maintains its own set of records, separate from the County Clerk.

How to Search Erie County Criminal Court Records

Erie County is one of the counties covered by WebCrims, the free state system for pending criminal cases. You can search for cases with future court dates in Erie County Court and the Buffalo City Court. Look up cases by name or case number. The system shows defendant names, docket numbers, charges, and next appearance dates. It updates four times a day. Visit the NYS Unified Court System website to use WebCrims.

The OCA Criminal History Record Search gives you statewide results for $95 per name. Submit online at ww2.nycourts.gov or by mail. You need the full name and exact date of birth. Results cover all 62 counties and come back the next business day. This is the most complete tool for finding criminal records across New York.

For in-person searches, go to the Erie County Clerk's Office at Erie County Hall. Staff can look up cases and pull full files. Bring your ID and any case details you have. The clerk can search by name or case number. You can view records and get copies made on the spot. If you need records from the Buffalo City Court, go to that court's clerk office instead.

Erie County also offers some online record access through SearchIQS. This system covers land records and some court filings. You can search by name, date, or document type. Index information is free, but viewing actual documents may cost money. For full criminal case files and certified copies, you still need to go through the County Clerk's Office directly.

Erie County Criminal Court Records Fees

The Erie County Clerk's Office charges standard fees under CPLR 8019(f) for records services. These are the same basic rates you find across New York counties.

• Record search: $5 per two-year period
• Certificate of Disposition: $10
• Document copies: $0.65 per page
• Certified copies: $1.25 per page
• OCA statewide search: $95 per name

Checks and money orders should be made out to the Erie County Clerk for mail requests. The office accepts multiple forms of payment in person. Contact the office to confirm current fees before sending a request. The District Attorney's Victim/Witness Assistance Bureau can help crime victims who need records but face financial hardship.

Criminal Record Sealing in Erie County

Record sealing in Erie County follows the same New York state laws that apply everywhere. CPL 160.50 automatically seals records when a case is dismissed, results in acquittal, or is adjourned in contemplation of dismissal. No action from the defendant is needed. The record simply goes away from public view.

CPL 160.55 lets people seal violations and traffic infraction convictions after ten years with no new arrests. You file a request with the court. CPL 160.58 covers more serious matters. It allows sealing of up to two convictions, only one of which can be a felony. The wait is ten years from the sentence or release date. Sex offenses, violent felonies, and Class A felonies are excluded from both of these provisions.

The Clean Slate law, CPL 160.59, provides automatic sealing without any filing needed. Misdemeanors seal after three years. Felonies seal after eight years. The clock runs from completion of the full sentence, including parole and probation. This law does not cover serious violent felonies or sex offenses. Given the volume of cases in Erie County, this law is expected to affect a very large number of records.

Under Judiciary Law 255, court records are not subject to FOIL. Requests go to the court clerk. Sealed records are not available to the public or most outside parties. Law enforcement and certain licensing agencies retain access. For help with sealing, contact the Erie County Bar Association or Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo.

Online Access to Erie County Criminal Court Records

Erie County has better online criminal record access than most upstate counties. WebCrims covers the Erie County Court and Buffalo City Court, which means you can search pending cases for free. This is a useful tool for checking on active cases, finding next court dates, and seeing what charges are pending.

The OCA Criminal History Record Search at ww2.nycourts.gov covers all courts statewide for $95. The Erie County Clerk's website at erie.gov has information about court services and how to request records. The Erie County District Attorney's site at erie.gov/da provides case status updates for victims and has information about its specialized prosecution units.

For general guidance on Erie County criminal court records, visit the NYS Unified Court System website. The DCJS record review system at criminaljustice.ny.gov lets individuals check their own fingerprint-based records. These records are not public. The Criminal Procedure Law is published at nysenate.gov.

Legal Resources in Erie County

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo provides free legal services to low-income residents of Erie County. They handle criminal defense, record sealing, and other matters. The Volunteer Lawyers Project of Erie County offers free legal clinics and can connect people with attorneys willing to take cases at no charge.

The Erie County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can match you with a criminal defense attorney. The Eighth Judicial District provides self-help resources and court forms. All official court forms are free at the NYS Courts website. The court clerk's office at Erie County Hall can help you find the right forms and explain what steps to take.

Cities in Erie County

Erie County includes Buffalo and several large suburbs. All felony cases go through Erie County Court. Misdemeanor cases in Buffalo are handled by the Buffalo City Court.

Other communities in Erie County include Lackawanna, West Seneca, Orchard Park, Lancaster, and Clarence. All felony criminal cases from these areas go through the Erie County Court in Buffalo.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Erie County. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the offense took place.