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Erie County, New York Arrest Records

An arrest record is the official documentation created by an Erie County law enforcement agency when a person is taken into custody. It typically contains the individual’s identifying details (name, date of birth, physical description), booking information (fingerprints, mugshot, time and place of arrest), and legal information (charges filed, arresting officer, and case or arrest number.

Under New York’s Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law §§ 84-90), basic arrest records are generally available to the public unless a specific exemption applies. FOIL allows anyone to request records from government agencies, promoting transparency, accountability, and informed civic participation.

The release of Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) is governed by New York Executive Law § 837, which authorizes the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to maintain these records and restricts access to qualified agencies and authorized entities, such as for background checks. Unlike a local arrest record, a complete CHRI report is confidential and may not be disclosed to the general public without the individual’s fingerprints or explicit legal authority permitting its release.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Erie, New York?

Yes, arrest records in Erie County are public. New York’s Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law §§ 84-90) requires government agencies, including local law enforcement agencies in Erie County, to provide public access to their records unless a specific statutory exemption authorizes withholding them. 

Although the occurrence of an arrest is public information, agencies may withhold or redact substantial portions of the related file,  including:

  • Personal Identifying Information: Data that could invade privacy, such as Social Security numbers, medical or mental health information, or certain home addresses.
  • Sealed Records: Files sealed under CPL § 160.50, which are not accessible to the public.
  • Youthful Offender (YO) Records: Records for eligible young offenders are automatically sealed under CPL § 720.35.
  • Investigatory Materials: Information on investigative techniques or confidential informants, withheld to protect current and future law enforcement operations.

Erie County Arrest Search

Accessing arrest information in Erie County requires using local, state, and federal systems, each with its own procedures and requirements. To view an individual’s broader criminal history in New York, use state resources:

Federal agencies do not include their arrests in local or state databases. The public can access federal criminal cases in Erie County through PACER by creating an account and paying a small fee to search the Western District of New York.  Record seekers can also locate individuals in federal custody using the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.

Erie County Inmate Locator

The main resource for locating individuals currently in custody in Erie County is the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Roster. The inmate roster lists the individual’s full name, date of birth, booking date, housing facility (Erie County Holding Center or Erie County Correctional Facility), and ICN (Inmate Control Number).

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office maintains a public inmate roster, often available as a downloadable PDF, listing individuals currently in custody. To use it, visit the Sheriff’s Office website, navigate to the Inmate Information section, and search alphabetically by the person’s full legal name to view key arrest details. This online tool does not include arrest records from several years ago. To request older Erie County arrest records, contact the Erie County Sheriff’s Office directly at:

10 Delaware Avenue,
Buffalo,
NY 14202,
Phone: (716) 858-7618.

Active Warrant Search in Erie County

Under New York Criminal Procedure Law (CPL) Article 120, a judge or magistrate may issue an arrest warrant authorizing a police officer to take the individual named in a criminal complaint or accusatory instrument into custody and bring that person before the court to answer the charges. In Erie County, warrants are issued by judges in local criminal courts, such as the Buffalo City Court or the Erie County Court, based on probable cause.

According to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 120.10, a valid arrest warrant must contain the following:

  • The individual’s full name and a sufficient description
  • The alleged offense(s)
  • The issuing court and the date of issuance
  • The signature of the issuing judge or magistrate
  • Instructions to law enforcement regarding execution of the warrant
  • Identification of the law enforcement agency responsible for executing the warrant.

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) serves as the central repository for warrants issued in the county. While warrant lists may be limited to prevent flight, the county offers two main ways to check:

  • Online Warrant List: Search by last name in the ECSO’s public database to view details such as photo, last known address, physical description, and reason for the warrant. The list is not exhaustive and may exclude warrants issued by local town police.
  • Direct Inquiry: Contact the ECSO Warrant Office at (716) 858-3287 (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or the Buffalo City Court Clerk at (716) 845-2600 for city-related warrants.

Contacting the police directly about an active warrant can lead to immediate arrest. A safer approach is to have a criminal defense attorney check on the person’s behalf, who may arrange a voluntary surrender so the person can appear in court without being taken into custody.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Erie County

Erie County offers free tools for basic arrest details and current custody status. Although these services do not include full records, supporting documents, or older data without a paid request and a valid photo ID. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office publishes a daily roster of current inmates, including booking date, facility, and inmate control number. 

Additionally, the New York State WebCrims allows the public to search active criminal cases in Erie County, showing upcoming court dates, judges, and current charges. Once an arrest enters the court system, the County Clerk oversees the official records for Supreme and County Court cases. The Erie County Clerk’s Online Search offers basic records, including index numbers and filing dates. Accessing full documents typically requires a registered account or contacting the Erie County Clerk's Office at:

92 Franklin Street,
Buffalo,
NY 14202,
Phone: (716) 858-8785.

For individuals incarcerated in New York State prisons, the NYS DOCCS Incarcerated Individual Lookup offers free access to conviction and adjudication details.

Erie County Arrest Report

“Arrest record” and “arrest report” are often used interchangeably. Although in law enforcement and public records contexts, they refer to different documents. An arrest record is a structured summary created when an individual is taken into custody, containing identifying details and custody status. It appears in booking, jail, or court systems to track a person’s movement through the jail system and document law enforcement contacts. In Erie County, records can be checked through the Sheriff’s Office inmate roster, while full arrest histories typically require fingerprint verification.

In contrast, an arrest report is a detailed narrative written by the arresting officer that explains the circumstances of the arrest, including observations, witness statements, evidence, and the legal basis for charges. It does not appear on public rosters and must be requested through a FOIL request to the appropriate law enforcement agency under Public Officers Law § 87. Due to its investigative content, agencies often release it with significant redactions.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Erie County

In Erie County, individuals frequently use the term “expungement” to refer to “sealing,” even though the two terms have distinct legal meanings. Expungement, which involves destroying records, typically applies only to certain marijuana offenses. For most other convictions, sealing is the primary remedy. Under the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA), New York automatically expunges certain cannabis offenses, like possession (up to 16 oz) or sale (up to 25 grams), with no petition required. The state system automatically removes these records from public and most law enforcement access.

Types of Arrest Record Sealing in Erie County

Automatic Sealing: If an arrest in Erie County did not result in a conviction, the record is automatically sealed under CPL § 160.50. This applies to cases with acquittals, dismissals, or a "Decline to Prosecute" by the District Attorney. 

The Clean Slate Act: The Clean Slate Act (CPL § 160.57) automates the sealing of most criminal convictions after a waiting period: 3 years for misdemeanors and 8 years for felonies. To qualify, individuals must remain crime-free, have no pending charges, and not be a registered sex offender.

Note: Class A felonies (such as murder) and sex offenses are not eligible for automatic sealing under the Clean Slate Act.

Petition-Based Sealing: Under CPL § 160.59, individuals who do not qualify for automatic sealing can petition the court to seal their records if they meet these criteria:

  • Having no more than two misdemeanors or one felony and one misdemeanor
  • It has been 10 years since their last conviction or release
  • No pending criminal cases
  • They have no disqualifying offenses, such as violent felonies, sex offenses, or Class A felonies.

In Erie County, eligible individuals can petition to seal their records by following these steps:

How Do You Remove Erie County Arrest Records From the Internet?

In Erie County, sealing an arrest record does not automatically erase it from private mugshot websites, which scarcely update content without intervention. To remove arrest records from the internet, individuals can:

  • Identify online sources displaying the records, such as news sites, public record databases, or mugshot websites.
  • Submit removal requests directly to the sites, providing a Certificate of Disposition or Seal Order. In New York, websites cannot legally charge a fee for removing mugshots if the case was dismissed or sealed.
  • Use search engine tools (e.g., Google’s URL removal tool) to de-index outdated or incorrect links.
  • Seek legal assistance if websites refuse to remove the content.

What Do Public Erie County Arrest Records Contain?

Erie County arrest records document an individual’s entry into the criminal justice system and are generally accessible under New York’s FOIL, while protecting sensitive personal information. 

These public-facing elements typically contain:

  • Identifying Information 
  • Full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Physical description
  • Mugshot (if publicly available).
  • Arrest and Booking Details:
    • Booking number/ICN
    • Arresting agency 
    • Date and time of arrest 
  • Legal Data:
    • Charged offenses 
    • Case or docket number 
  • Custody and Bail Information:
    • Detention facility 
    • Bail/bond amount 
    • Release date (if applicable) 
  • Court Information:
    • Court name and location
    • Arraignment date
    • Scheduled court date (if available)
    • Case status (pending, dismissed, transferred).