Monroe County Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records in Monroe County are managed through the Hall of Justice in Rochester. The County Court handles felony cases while Rochester City Court takes misdemeanors committed within city limits. Monroe County is the largest county in western New York by population and sits in the Seventh Judicial District. Shelly Stork is Chief Clerk for Supreme and County Courts. The County Clerk maintains all official case files for these courts. You can use the OCA statewide search for $95, visit the courthouse, or request records by mail.

Monroe County Criminal Court System

The Monroe County Court handles all felony criminal prosecutions. Cases are heard at the Hall of Justice at 47 S. Fitzhugh Street in Rochester. The Supreme Court also sits here. E-filing is mandatory for certain case types. Shelly Stork runs the clerk operations for both courts.

Rochester City Court handles misdemeanor cases and violations that happen within the city. This is a busy court. Rochester is the third-largest city in New York. Misdemeanors committed outside Rochester go to the town or village court where the offense took place. Each of those local courts keeps its own records. Monroe County also has towns like Greece, Irondequoit, Brighton, Henrietta, and Penfield, each with their own town court.

The Monroe County District Attorney's office prosecutes criminal cases throughout the county. The DA works closely with the Rochester Police Department and other local agencies. For case status or prosecution records, contact the DA's office directly at monroecounty.gov/da.

How to Search Monroe County Criminal Court Records

You can search for criminal court records in Monroe County through a few different channels. The right method depends on what you need.

The OCA Criminal History Record Search is the state's main tool. It costs $95. Submit a name and date of birth. Results include court records from all 62 counties. This covers Monroe County Court, Supreme Court, and Rochester City Court. Results come by email the next business day. Sealed records are excluded. Apply online at ww2.nycourts.gov or by mail to 25 Beaver Street, Room 940, New York, NY 10004.

For a Certificate of Disposition, contact the court where the case was heard. Monroe County Court handles felonies. Rochester City Court handles city misdemeanors. The fee is $10. You will need the defendant's name and the case number or approximate filing date. Under CPL 160.50, sealed records produce no results. Cases ending in dismissal or acquittal are automatically sealed.

In-person visits work at the Hall of Justice. Go to 47 S. Fitzhugh Street. The clerk's office can search by name or case number. You can get plain copies or certified copies. Bring a photo ID. Town courts in Greece, Irondequoit, and other suburbs keep separate records, so you may need to contact those courts too.

Record Sealing in Monroe County

New York uses record sealing, not expungement. CPL 160.50 requires automatic sealing of cases that end in the defendant's favor. Dismissals, acquittals, and adjournments in contemplation of dismissal all get sealed once the case is closed. Sealed records do not show up in public searches.

CPL 160.55 covers cases that end with a non-criminal finding such as a violation. CPL 160.58 allows sealing of some drug convictions after the defendant completes a court-ordered treatment program. CPL 160.59 lets people petition to seal up to two older convictions, with only one being a felony. The Monroe County DA reviews these petitions and a judge decides.

Judiciary Law 255 gives courts general authority over their records. If you want to seal a Monroe County record, file a motion with the court. Organizations like the Legal Aid Society of Rochester can help with sealing motions if you qualify based on income.

Monroe County Criminal Court Records Fees

The OCA statewide search is $95 per name. Each alias counts as a separate search. A Certificate of Disposition costs $10. Plain copies are charged per page. Certified copies cost more.

For CHRS searches, pay by credit or debit card online. Mail-in requests use money orders. The County Clerk may charge a search fee when you do not have a case number. Call (585) 371-3710 to check on fees before you visit.

Legal Help in Monroe County

The Legal Aid Society of Rochester serves Monroe County. They handle criminal defense for people who qualify based on income. They can also help with record sealing motions and re-entry issues. The Monroe County Public Defender's office represents people who cannot afford a lawyer in criminal cases.

The New York State Bar Association at nysba.org runs a lawyer referral service. Free court forms are available at ww2.nycourts.gov. The Volunteer Legal Services Project of Rochester also provides free legal clinics for people with low income.

Cities in Monroe County

Monroe County includes Rochester and several large suburbs. All felony cases go through Monroe County Court. City misdemeanors are handled by Rochester City Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Monroe County. Criminal cases must be filed where the crime took place.