Bronx Public Records / Bronx County Arrest Records

Bronx County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Bronx County

Arrest records in Bronx County are considered public information under the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest records, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. However, access to arrest records is subject to certain limitations and exceptions.

The distinction between arrest records and conviction records is significant in Bronx County. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement, while a conviction record indicates that the individual was found guilty of a crime through the judicial process. Pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records of arrests that did not result in convictions may be sealed under certain circumstances, restricting public access.

The New York Police Department (NYPD), which has jurisdiction in Bronx County, maintains arrest records and makes them available to the public with certain restrictions. According to the NYPD's records access policy, information that would interfere with law enforcement investigations, judicial proceedings, or that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy may be redacted or withheld.

It is important to note that while arrest records are generally public, the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) maintains the official criminal history record information, and access to complete criminal histories may be restricted to authorized agencies and individuals with proper identification and purpose.

What's in Bronx County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Bronx County contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies. These records typically include the following categories of information:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name (including aliases or known nicknames)
Date of birth
Gender
Race/ethnicity
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Residential address at time of arrest
Identification numbers (NYSID - New York State Identification Number)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency (NYPD precinct number)
Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
Reason for arrest
Whether arrest was made pursuant to a warrant

Charge Information:

Criminal charges filed
Statutory citations of alleged violations
Classification of charges (felony, misdemeanor, violation)
Description of alleged criminal activity

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number
Issuing court
Date of issuance
Judge who issued the warrant

Booking Information:

Date and time of booking
Booking facility
Booking officer
Property inventory

Bond/Bail Information:

Bail amount set
Whether bail was posted
Type of bail (cash, bond, etc.)
Conditions of release

Court Information:

Court of jurisdiction
Docket or case number
Scheduled court appearances
Court outcomes and dispositions

Custody Status:

Current detention status
Facility where detained (if applicable)
Release date (if applicable)

Additional Information May Include:

Prior arrest history
Probation or parole status at time of arrest
Protective orders
Vehicle information (if relevant to arrest)
Incident reports
Witness statements (redacted for privacy)

The content of arrest records is governed by New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10, which establishes requirements for fingerprinting and photographing upon arrest, and § 160.20, which addresses the processing of arrest information.

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Bronx County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Bronx County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The process typically involves submitting a request to the appropriate agency and providing sufficient information to identify the specific records sought.

To request arrest records in person, individuals may visit:

NYPD Criminal Records Section
One Police Plaza
New York, NY 10038
(646) 610-5000
NYPD Records Access

Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.

The following steps should be followed when requesting arrest records:

Complete a FOIL request form, available at the NYPD Criminal Records Section or downloadable from the NYPD website.
Provide specific information about the arrest record being sought, including:
- Full name of the individual
- Date of birth
- Approximate date of arrest
- Location of arrest (if known)
- Case or complaint number (if known)
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable fees for record searches and copies (currently $15 for search fees plus $0.25 per page for copies).
Submit the completed request form and await processing.

Alternatively, requests may be submitted by mail to:

NYPD Records Access Officer
One Police Plaza, Room 110C
New York, NY 10038

For arrest records related to cases that have proceeded to court, individuals may also contact:

Bronx County Clerk's Office
851 Grand Concourse, Room 118
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 618-1490
Bronx County Clerk

Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.

Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 89, agencies must respond to requests within five business days by either providing the records, denying access with reasons, or acknowledging receipt with an approximate date when the request will be granted or denied.

How To Find Bronx County Arrest Records Online

Bronx County offers several digital resources for accessing arrest records online, though complete records may require formal requests through official channels. The following online resources are currently available:

New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Inmate Lookup This database provides information on individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities or under community supervision. Users can search by name or Department Identification Number (DIN).

To conduct a search:
- Visit the DOCCS Inmate Lookup service
- Enter the individual's name or DIN
- Review the results, which include current location, earliest release date, and supervision status
New York City Department of Correction Inmate Lookup For individuals in custody at Rikers Island or other NYC detention facilities, this database provides custody status information.

To access this information:
- Navigate to the NYC Department of Correction Inmate Lookup
- Enter the individual's name and date of birth or New York State Identification Number (NYSID)
- Review custody status, facility location, and upcoming court dates
New York State Unified Court System WebCrims This system provides information on pending criminal cases in Bronx County courts.

To search court records:
- Visit the WebCrims portal
- Create a free account or log in as a guest
- Search by defendant name, case number, or attorney
- Review case status, charges, and scheduled appearances
FOIL Online Request System The NYPD provides an online portal for submitting Freedom of Information Law requests for arrest records.

To submit an online request:
- Visit the NYPD FOIL Request portal
- Create an account or continue as guest
- Complete the required fields, specifying the arrest records sought
- Submit the request and note the tracking number for future reference

It is important to note that online systems may not provide complete arrest record information due to privacy protections and legal restrictions. For comprehensive arrest records, formal requests through the NYPD Records Access Officer or Bronx County Clerk's Office may be necessary.

How To Search Bronx County Arrest Records for Free?

Members of the public may access certain arrest record information in Bronx County without payment of fees through several available resources. The following methods provide free access to arrest-related information:

NYC Department of Correction Inmate Lookup This free online service allows the public to verify if an individual is currently in custody within the NYC jail system.

To use this service:
- Visit the NYC Department of Correction Inmate Lookup portal
- Enter the individual's name and date of birth
- Review the results showing custody status and facility location
NYC 311 Service The city's non-emergency information service can provide basic information about recently arrested individuals.

To use this service:
- Call 311 (or 212-NEW-YORK from outside the city)
- Provide the name of the arrested person
- Request information about their custody status
- Alternatively, visit the NYC 311 online portal for guidance on finding an arrested person
Bronx County Criminal Court Calendar Daily court calendars are publicly available and list defendants appearing in court that day.

To access court calendars:
- Visit the Bronx Criminal Court at 215 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451
- Review the public calendar postings on the bulletin boards
- Alternatively, check online court calendars through the NYS Unified Court System website
Public Access Law Library Terminals The Bronx County Law Library provides public access terminals for legal research, including certain case information.

Bronx Supreme Court Law Library
851 Grand Concourse, Room 817
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 618-3710

Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
FOIL Requests for Certain Records While there may be copying fees, initial FOIL requests and record searches for personal records may be submitted without cost.

To submit a free FOIL request:
- Visit the NYPD Records Access page
- Complete the FOIL request form, specifying you are requesting your own records
- Submit the request with proper identification

It is important to note that while initial searches may be free, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying documents or for extensive searches requiring significant staff time, pursuant to Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii).

How To Delete Arrest Records in Bronx County

In Bronx County, individuals may pursue two primary legal remedies to limit public access to arrest records: sealing and expungement. These processes are governed by specific provisions of New York State law and require formal legal procedures.

Record Sealing vs. Expungement

Record sealing restricts public access to arrest and conviction records but does not completely destroy them. Sealed records remain accessible to certain government agencies and law enforcement under specific circumstances. In contrast, expungement (or complete erasure) of criminal records is generally not available in New York State, with limited exceptions for marijuana-related offenses under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act.

Eligibility for Record Sealing

Under New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59, individuals may be eligible to have certain criminal convictions sealed if:

At least 10 years have passed since the individual's last criminal conviction
The individual has no more than two criminal convictions, with no more than one felony
The convictions are not for sex offenses, violent felonies, or certain other serious crimes

Additionally, pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records of arrests that did not result in criminal convictions (such as cases resulting in dismissal, acquittal, or declined prosecution) are eligible for automatic sealing.

Process for Sealing Records

To initiate the sealing process for eligible conviction records:

Obtain and complete a "Notice of Motion for Sealing Pursuant to CPL 160.59" form from the Bronx County Supreme Court
Gather supporting documentation, including certificates of disposition for all convictions
File the motion with the court where the conviction occurred
Serve copies of the motion on the Bronx District Attorney's Office
Attend any scheduled court hearings
If granted, the court will issue a sealing order to relevant agencies

For arrests that did not result in convictions, the sealing should occur automatically. If records were not properly sealed, individuals may file a motion under CPL § 160.50 requesting sealing.

Marijuana-Related Expungement

For marijuana-related offenses that have been decriminalized or legalized under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, expungement may occur automatically without application. This process is governed by Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50(5) and includes certain violations and misdemeanors related to marijuana possession.

Legal Assistance Resources

Individuals seeking to seal criminal records may contact:

The Bronx Defenders
360 East 161st Street
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 838-7878
The Bronx Defenders

Legal Aid Society of New York - Bronx Office
260 East 161st Street
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 991-4600
Legal Aid Society

What Happens After Arrest in Bronx County?

Following an arrest in Bronx County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by New York State law. This process typically progresses through several distinct phases:

Arrest and Booking Upon arrest, individuals are transported to the appropriate NYPD precinct for processing. During booking, law enforcement:
- Records personal information
- Takes fingerprints and photographs
- Conducts a search of the arrestee
- Inventories and secures personal property
- Checks for outstanding warrants
- Enters arrest information into law enforcement databases
Central Booking After precinct processing, arrestees are transferred to Central Booking at the Bronx Criminal Court:

Bronx Central Booking
215 East 161st Street
Bronx, NY 10451

Here, fingerprints are electronically transmitted to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services for identification verification and criminal history compilation.
Arraignment Within approximately 24 hours of arrest, defendants appear before a judge at the Bronx Criminal Court for arraignment, where:
- Charges are formally read
- Defendants are advised of their rights
- Legal representation is assigned if needed
- Bail determinations are made
- Temporary orders of protection may be issued
- Next court date is scheduled
Case Classification and Court Assignment Based on the severity of charges, cases are assigned to:
- Bronx Criminal Court for misdemeanors and violations
- Bronx Supreme Court, Criminal Term for felonies
Pre-Trial Proceedings Before trial, several proceedings may occur:
- Discovery - exchange of evidence between prosecution and defense
- Pre-trial hearings on admissibility of evidence
- Plea negotiations
- Motion practice
Possible Dispositions Cases may be resolved through:
- Dismissal of charges
- Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD)
- Plea agreement
- Trial by judge or jury
- Diversion to specialized courts (Drug Court, Mental Health Court, etc.)
Sentencing (if convicted) Sentencing options may include:
- Incarceration in city or state facilities
- Probation supervision
- Conditional discharge
- Fines and restitution
- Community service
- Mandatory treatment programs
Post-Conviction Following conviction, individuals may:
- Serve imposed sentences
- File appeals within 30 days of sentencing
- Apply for certificates of relief from disabilities or good conduct
- Eventually seek record sealing under applicable statutes

Throughout this process, defendants have constitutional rights protected under the New York Criminal Procedure Law and the U.S. Constitution, including the right to counsel, the right to a speedy trial, and protection against self-incrimination.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Bronx County?

Arrest records in Bronx County are subject to retention requirements established by New York State law and records management policies. The duration for which these records are maintained varies based on the type of record, case disposition, and the maintaining agency.

According to the New York State Archives Records Retention and Disposition Schedule LGS-1, which governs local government records including law enforcement agencies, arrest records are subject to the following retention periods:

Basic Arrest Information
- Arrest reports and blotters: Permanent retention
- Arrest processing records: 5 years after arrest
- Fingerprint cards: 5 years after death of individual or 90 years after date of creation, whichever is shorter
Case-Specific Records
- Felony case records: 25 years after case closure
- Misdemeanor case records: 5 years after case closure
- Violation case records: 1 year after case closure
- Juvenile case records: Until subject reaches age 21
Sealed Records Pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records of arrests not resulting in criminal convictions must be sealed. While sealed records are not destroyed, they are removed from public access and may only be unsealed by court order or for specific statutory purposes.
Booking Photographs (Mugshots) Under New York Executive Law § 837-c, booking photographs are subject to specific restrictions on disclosure and may be removed from public access under certain circumstances, though they remain in law enforcement records according to the applicable retention schedule.
Digital Records Systems Electronic records management systems maintained by the NYPD and other criminal justice agencies may retain arrest data indefinitely for law enforcement purposes, though access to such records may be restricted based on case disposition and sealing status.

It is important to note that different agencies maintain separate record systems with potentially different retention periods:

NYPD maintains arrest reports and booking information
Bronx District Attorney's Office maintains prosecution records
New York State Office of Court Administration maintains court records
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains the official criminal history repository

The retention of these records serves several important public purposes, including:

Maintaining evidence for ongoing and future investigations
Supporting prosecution of cases
Enabling background checks for authorized purposes
Ensuring accountability in the criminal justice system
Providing statistical data for crime analysis and policy development

Records retention schedules are periodically updated to reflect changes in law and policy, and specific retention periods may be modified by legislative action or administrative rule-making.

How to Find Mugshots in Bronx County

What Mugshots Are

Mugshots, formally known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken by law enforcement during the arrest booking process. In Bronx County, these photographs typically include front-facing and profile (side) views of the arrested individual and are taken as part of the standard identification procedures following arrest.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained

In Bronx County, booking photographs are primarily maintained by:

The New York Police Department (NYPD) as part of arrest records
The New York City Department of Correction for individuals in custody
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services in the state's criminal history repository

These photographs are considered law enforcement records and their maintenance is governed by applicable records retention schedules.

Finding Mugshots

Access to mugshots in Bronx County is restricted by New York Executive Law § 837-c, which prohibits the disclosure of booking photographs unless specific law enforcement purposes are served. To request access to booking photographs, individuals may:

Submit a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request to the NYPD:

NYPD Records Access Officer
One Police Plaza, Room 110C
New York, NY 10038
NYPD Record Requests

Requests must specify:
- The subject of the photograph
- Date of arrest
- Arrest number or complaint number (if known)
- Requester's identity and contact information
- Purpose of the request
For individuals currently in custody, limited booking information may be available through:

NYC Department of Correction
75-20 Astoria Boulevard
East Elmhurst, NY 11370
(718) 546-1500
NYC Department of Correction

Can Mugshots Be Found Online

As of 2021, New York State law significantly restricts the online publication of booking photographs. Pursuant to Executive Law § 837-c, law enforcement agencies are prohibited from releasing booking photographs unless specific law enforcement purposes are served. This law was enacted to prevent commercial websites from publishing and charging fees for removal of mugshots.

Consequently, the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies in Bronx County do not maintain public online databases of booking photographs. Commercial mugshot websites that previously published such images have been significantly restricted in their operations in New York State.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially

To legally obtain a booking photograph, individuals must:

Demonstrate a legitimate purpose that serves a law enforcement function
Submit proper identification
Complete required FOIL request forms
Pay applicable fees for record searches and reproduction

Restrictions on Mugshot Access

Several legal restrictions limit access to booking photographs:

Executive Law § 837-c prohibits disclosure except for specific law enforcement purposes
Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 requires sealing of records (including photographs) when cases are terminated in favor of the accused
Family Court Act § 381.3 restricts access to photographs of juvenile offenders
Privacy considerations may result in redaction or denial of requests

Individuals seeking their own booking photographs may have greater access rights than third parties requesting photographs of others. All requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Lookup Arrest Records in Bronx County

Incarcerated Lookup

Department of Correction Inmate Information

NYPD Record Requests

Find an Arrested Person

Other Categories in New York

Criminal Records Court Records Inmate Records Arrest records Warrant Search Property Records Divorce Records