Suffolk County Criminal Court Records
Suffolk County criminal court records are maintained in Riverhead and Hauppauge. The County Court, which handles felony criminal prosecutions, sits at the Criminal Court Building on First Court Street in Riverhead. The Supreme Court at 250 Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge handles civil cases and felony appeals. Suffolk County is part of the Tenth Judicial District on Long Island and has a population of about 1.5 million. The County Clerk serves as clerk of both courts. Because Suffolk County is included in the WebCrims system, you can search for pending criminal cases online at no cost. If you need court records from a closed case, you can visit the clerk's office or use the OCA statewide search.
Suffolk County Overview
Suffolk County Criminal Court Records
The Suffolk County Court handles all felony criminal cases. The Criminal Court Building is at First Court Street in Riverhead. The phone number is (631) 852-1700. The Supreme Court in Hauppauge handles civil matters and can be reached at (631) 740-1700.
The County Clerk maintains all court records as clerk of both the Supreme and County Courts. The clerk's office is in Riverhead. You can search for records in person. Staff look up cases by defendant name or docket number and can provide plain copies or certified documents. Suffolk County is one of the busiest courts on Long Island, handling a high volume of criminal cases each year.
| County Court | Suffolk County Court - Criminal |
|---|---|
| Address | Criminal Court Building First Court Street Riverhead, NY 11901 |
| Phone | (631) 852-1700 |
| Supreme Court | 250 Veterans Memorial Highway Hauppauge, NY 11788 |
| Phone (Supreme) | (631) 740-1700 |
| Website | New York Courts - Suffolk County |
How to Search Criminal Court Records in Suffolk County
WebCrims includes Suffolk County pending criminal cases. Search for free by defendant name or case number. The system shows upcoming court dates, charges, and basic case information. Updates happen four times daily. This is a good tool for checking the status of active cases.
For a complete criminal history, use the OCA Criminal History Record Search. It costs $95 per name and covers all 62 counties. Apply at ww2.nycourts.gov/apps/chrs. Results come by email the next business day. This search shows open cases and convictions. Sealed records under CPL 160.50 do not appear.
You can also visit the Suffolk County Clerk's office in Riverhead. Staff can search for cases and pull files. Bring the full name and any other details. Certified copies and Certificates of Disposition cost a fee under CPLR 8019(f). Court records are public under Judiciary Law 255, but sealed records are restricted.
The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office at suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/District-Attorney handles all criminal prosecutions. The DA has specialized units for homicide, special victims, economic crimes, and gang cases. Prosecution records are separate from court files.
Suffolk County Court Records Resources
Suffolk County court records resource page for criminal case searches.
Criminal Record Sealing in Suffolk County
Dismissed and acquitted cases are sealed automatically under CPL 160.50. Violation convictions may be sealed under CPL 160.55. Drug offense convictions can qualify under CPL 160.58 after completing a court-ordered treatment program.
CPL 160.59 allows sealing of up to two eligible convictions after ten years from sentence completion. File a motion with the Suffolk County Court. The DA gets notice and can respond. The judge weighs the crime, your record since, and the public interest. Violent felonies and sex offenses cannot be sealed. Sealed records drop off WebCrims and OCA results. Law enforcement keeps limited access.
Types of Criminal Cases in Suffolk County
Suffolk County handles a large number of criminal cases. The County Court processes felonies. District courts and village courts handle misdemeanors and violations. Common case types include drug offenses, DUI, assault, burglary, and theft. A typical criminal court record shows:
- Defendant name and identifying information
- Charges filed and arrest date
- Indictment or information
- Bail and pretrial motions
- Plea or trial outcome
- Sentencing information
Certificates of Disposition are the official proof of how a case ended. They are needed for jobs, licensing, immigration, and housing applications. Get one from the court that handled the case. The fee is typically $10 to $25.
The DCJS record review lets you check your own full criminal history. Contact DCJS at 518-457-9847 or email RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov. The process requires fingerprinting and takes several weeks. Your DCJS record may show sealed information not found in court searches if you request the unsuppressed version.
Legal Resources in Suffolk County
Suffolk County Legal Aid Society provides free defense services for qualifying residents. Nassau Suffolk Law Services also offers legal help for civil matters. The Suffolk County Bar Association has a lawyer referral program that can connect you with a criminal defense attorney in the area.
Free court forms for sealing motions, fee waivers, and other common needs are at nycourts.gov/courthelp. The NYS Unified Court System provides self-help centers at many courthouses where staff can help you understand procedures and fill out forms. They cannot give legal advice but can point you to the right resources.
Court Records Access Rules
Court records in Suffolk County follow state rules under Judiciary Law 255, not FOIL. The County Clerk maintains files in Riverhead. Given the volume of cases, it helps to have a specific case number or docket number when making a request. The clerk cannot process broad requests for all records about a person. Personal information may be redacted from copies.
Cities in Suffolk County
Suffolk County includes many large communities on Long Island. All felony cases go through the Suffolk County Court in Riverhead.
Nearby Counties
Suffolk County borders Nassau County to the west.