Franklin County Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records in Franklin County are managed by the County Clerk's Office in Malone. Franklin County sits in the North Country region of New York, close to the Canadian border. It is part of the Fourth Judicial District. The County Court handles felony cases, and local town courts deal with misdemeanors and violations. The County Clerk serves as Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts, maintaining all official case files. Whether you need to search for a criminal case, get a certified copy of a disposition, or check on an old record, the County Clerk's Office at the Franklin County Courthouse in Malone is the primary resource for criminal court records.

Franklin County Clerk's Office

The Franklin County Clerk is the official keeper of criminal court records for the Supreme Court and County Court. The office files and maintains all legal papers tied to criminal cases. These include indictments, plea transcripts, motions, and final judgments. The clerk also handles the case index, deeds, mortgages, judgments, liens, and naturalization records.

The Franklin County Courthouse is in Malone and houses the Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, and Surrogate's Court. The District Attorney's Office prosecutes criminal cases and works with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police, and local police departments. Index numbers for court cases are issued through the County Clerk's Office. The office also handles passport applications, pistol permits, and notary public filings.

For criminal record requests, you should contact the County Clerk's Office directly. Staff can explain the procedures for getting copies of court documents, tell you what fees apply, and help you figure out what records are available. The office provides certified copies for a fee and can assist with locating cases even when you have limited information to start with.

How to Search Franklin County Criminal Court Records

The easiest way to search Franklin County criminal court records is to visit the County Clerk's Office in Malone. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. Bring any details you have. A full name and date of birth will help narrow things down. If you know the case number, that makes it even faster.

The OCA Criminal History Record Search covers Franklin County as part of its statewide system. It costs $95 per name and requires the full name and exact date of birth. Submit online at ww2.nycourts.gov or by mail to 25 Beaver Street, Room 940, New York, NY 10004. Results come back the next business day for searches with hits.

WebCrims does not cover Franklin County. That free system only tracks pending cases in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, Erie, and the Ninth Judicial District. For pending case information in Franklin County, contact the court clerk directly.

You can also send a mail request to the Franklin County Clerk. Include the defendant's name, date of birth, approximate date of the case, and case number if you have it. Add a check for the search fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The standard search fee is $5 per two-year period. Certified copies and Certificates of Disposition have separate charges.

Franklin County Criminal Court Records Fees

Franklin County charges standard New York fees for record services under CPLR 8019(f).

• 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 criminal history search: $95 per name

For mail requests, pay by check or money order to the Franklin County Clerk. Call the office to confirm current fees before you send anything. The office can also tell you what payment methods they accept for in-person requests.

Criminal Record Sealing in Franklin County

Record sealing laws in New York apply the same way in Franklin County as in every other county. CPL 160.50 seals records automatically when a criminal case ends in the person's favor. Dismissals, acquittals, and adjournments in contemplation of dismissal all qualify. The defendant does not need to do anything.

CPL 160.55 lets people seal violations and traffic infractions after ten years with no new criminal activity. This requires a formal request to the court. CPL 160.58 allows sealing of up to two convictions, with only one felony allowed. The wait is ten years from sentencing or release, whichever is later. Sex offenses, violent felonies, and Class A felonies cannot be sealed under this law.

The Clean Slate law, CPL 160.59, seals some convictions automatically. Misdemeanors seal after three years. Felonies take eight years. The countdown starts after the sentence is fully complete, including probation and parole. Serious violent felonies and sex crimes are not covered. Under Judiciary Law 255, court records are accessed through the court clerk, not through FOIL. Sealed records are off limits to the public.

Online Access to Franklin County Criminal Court Records

Online access to Franklin County criminal court records is limited compared to larger counties. The OCA search at ww2.nycourts.gov is the main statewide option at $95 per name. WebCrims does not cover this county.

For general guidance on Franklin County records, visit the NYS Unified Court System website. The Franklin County government website at franklincountyny.gov has contact information for county departments. The DCJS record review at criminaljustice.ny.gov lets individuals check their own criminal history. The Criminal Procedure Law is published at nysenate.gov.

Legal Resources in Franklin County

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York covers Franklin County and provides free legal help to people who qualify based on income. They can assist with criminal record issues, including sealing applications and corrections to criminal history records.

The Fourth Judicial District provides court forms and self-help resources. All official forms are free through the NYS Courts website. The court clerk in Malone can point you to the right forms and explain basic filing steps. For attorney referrals, contact the Franklin County Bar Association or the New York State Bar Association's referral service.

Cities and Towns in Franklin County

Franklin County has no cities large enough for dedicated pages on this site. The county is mostly rural and includes communities like Malone, Saranac Lake (partly), Tupper Lake, and Chateaugay. All felony criminal cases from Franklin County go through the County Court in Malone. Misdemeanors may be heard in local town courts.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Franklin County. Criminal cases are filed where the offense took place.