Bronx County Criminal Records
What Is Bronx County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Bronx County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to New York State Public Officers Law § 86, which defines public records as "any information kept, held, filed, produced or reproduced by, with or for an agency."
Criminal records in Bronx County typically fall into several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Bronx division of the New York Police Department (NYPD)
- Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings in Bronx County courts
- Conviction Records: Information regarding guilty verdicts or pleas
- Incarceration Records: Details about periods of confinement in correctional facilities
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document instances where individuals were taken into custody but do not necessarily indicate guilt. Conviction records, conversely, confirm that a person was found guilty of a criminal offense either through trial or plea agreement.
Criminal offenses in Bronx County are categorized according to New York State Penal Law as:
- Felonies: Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanors: Lesser offenses typically punishable by up to one year of incarceration
- Violations: Minor infractions that generally do not result in jail time
Juvenile records in Bronx County receive special protection under New York Family Court Act § 375.1, which provides for the sealing of records for individuals under 18 years of age in most circumstances.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Bronx County:
Bronx County District Attorney's Office
198 East 161st Street
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 590-2000
Bronx District Attorney
New York City Police Department - Bronx Precincts
Various locations throughout the Bronx
(718) 590-3500 (Central Booking)
NYPD
Bronx County Supreme Court
851 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 618-1500
New York State Unified Court System
Are Criminal Records Public In Bronx County
Criminal records in Bronx County are generally considered public information under the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90. This legislation establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, should be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute.
According to Public Officers Law § 87(2), "Each agency shall... make available for public inspection and copying all records," with certain enumerated exceptions. This provision creates the legal foundation for public access to criminal records in Bronx County.
The following categories of criminal records are typically available for public inspection:
- Adult conviction records
- Court proceedings and case dispositions
- Arrest records for completed cases
- Sex offender registry information
However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. Pursuant to various provisions of New York State law, certain records remain confidential or have restricted access:
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations (Public Officers Law § 87(2)(e))
- Sealed records under Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 (cases resolved in favor of the accused)
- Sealed records under Criminal Procedure Law § 160.55 (certain misdemeanor convictions)
- Juvenile records (Family Court Act § 375.1)
- Records where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy (Public Officers Law § 87(2)(b))
- Youthful offender adjudications (Criminal Procedure Law § 720.35)
The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) serves as the central repository for criminal history record information in New York State, including Bronx County. The OCA maintains the official criminal history record information that is available to the public upon request, subject to the limitations described above.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Bronx County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Bronx County may utilize several methods to access this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal records:
In-Person Requests at the Bronx County Clerk's Office:
- Visit the Bronx County Clerk's Office during regular business hours.
- Complete a records request form, specifying the information sought.
- Provide proper identification (government-issued photo ID).
- Pay applicable fees for copies of records.
- Allow processing time, which varies based on the complexity of the request.
Bronx County Clerk's Office
851 Grand Concourse, Room 118
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 618-3300
Bronx County Clerk
New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) Criminal History Search:
- Submit a request to the OCA for a criminal history record search.
- Complete the Criminal History Record Search application form.
- Include the required $95.00 fee per name/search.
- Mail the application to the OCA's Criminal History Record Search unit.
NYS Office of Court Administration
Criminal History Record Search
25 Beaver Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10004
(212) 428-2810
NYS Unified Court System
FOIL Requests to the NYPD:
- Submit a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request to the NYPD Records Access Officer.
- Clearly specify the records being requested.
- Include contact information for response.
- Allow up to 20 business days for an initial response as required by Public Officers Law § 89(3).
NYPD Records Access Officer
One Police Plaza, Room 110C
New York, NY 10038
(646) 610-5296
NYPD Record Requests
Bronx District Attorney's Office:
- Submit a written request to the Bronx District Attorney's Office.
- Include case-specific information (defendant name, case number, etc.).
- Provide a reason for the request.
- Allow time for processing and review.
Bronx District Attorney's Office
198 East 161st Street
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 590-2000
Bronx District Attorney
How To Find Criminal Records in Bronx County Online?
Bronx County offers several digital platforms for accessing criminal records information online. These resources provide varying levels of detail and accessibility:
New York State Unified Court System WebCrims:
The WebCrims database provides public access to pending and closed criminal cases in Bronx County and throughout New York State.
- Navigate to the WebCrims portal.
- Select "Bronx County" from the jurisdiction dropdown menu.
- Search by defendant name, case number, or other identifiers.
- Review case information, including charges, court appearances, and case status.
WebCrims provides information on:
- Case identifiers and court information
- Defendant information
- Charges filed
- Court appearance dates
- Case status and disposition
New York State Sex Offender Registry:
The New York State Sex Offender Registry allows searches for registered sex offenders residing in Bronx County.
- Visit the registry website.
- Search by name, county (Bronx), or zip code.
- Review offender information, including risk level assessment.
New York City Department of Correction Inmate Lookup Service:
For information on individuals currently in custody:
- Access the NYC DOC Inmate Lookup.
- Enter the individual's name or New York State ID Number (NYSID).
- Review custody status and facility information.
New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Inmate Lookup:
For information on individuals serving state sentences:
- Visit the DOCCS Inmate Lookup.
- Search by name or Department Identification Number (DIN).
- Review incarceration information, including facility location and earliest release date.
eCourts Case Search:
The New York State Unified Court System eCourts platform provides access to civil and criminal court calendars and case information.
- Select "Bronx County" from the court dropdown menu.
- Choose the appropriate court type (Supreme Criminal, Criminal, etc.).
- Search by case number, party name, or attorney.
- Review case information and scheduled appearances.
Users should note that online systems may require registration or have usage limitations. Additionally, certain sensitive or sealed records will not appear in public online databases pursuant to New York State law.
Can You Search Bronx County Criminal Records for Free?
Pursuant to New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), members of the public have the right to inspect certain criminal records without charge, though fees may apply for copies. Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii) states that agencies may charge a fee not exceeding "twenty-five cents per photocopy not in excess of nine inches by fourteen inches, or the actual cost of reproducing any other record."
The following free options are available for accessing Bronx County criminal records:
Free In-Person Inspection:
Members of the public may inspect publicly available criminal records at no cost at the following locations:
Bronx County Clerk's Office
851 Grand Concourse, Room 118
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 618-3300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Bronx County Clerk
Bronx County Supreme Court
851 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 618-1500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
New York State Unified Court System
Free Online Resources:
Several online platforms provide free access to certain criminal records information:
-
WebCrims - The New York State Unified Court System's WebCrims database offers free access to basic case information for criminal matters in Bronx County.
-
New York City Department of Correction Inmate Lookup - The NYC DOC Inmate Lookup Service provides free information on individuals currently in custody.
-
New York State Sex Offender Registry - The Sex Offender Registry allows free searches for registered sex offenders residing in Bronx County.
-
eCourts - The New York State Unified Court System eCourts platform provides free access to court calendars and basic case information.
While these resources are available without charge, users should be aware of certain limitations:
- Free online resources typically provide limited information compared to official record requests
- Some records may only be available through formal requests that incur fees
- Certain records may require in-person inspection rather than online access
- Comprehensive criminal history reports from the Office of Court Administration require payment of the statutory fee ($95.00 per name/search)
What's Included in a Bronx County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Bronx County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records is standardized pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10, which establishes requirements for fingerprinting and processing upon arrest. A complete criminal record generally includes the following components:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot/booking photograph
- Fingerprints
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency (e.g., NYPD precinct)
- Booking number
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility
Court Case Information:
- Case/docket number
- Court of jurisdiction (e.g., Bronx County Supreme Court, Bronx Criminal Court)
- Filing date
- Charges filed by prosecutor
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Classification of charges (felony/misdemeanor/violation)
- Plea information
- Attorney information
- Judge assigned to the case
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Type of sentence (incarceration, probation, fine, etc.)
- Length of sentence
- Financial penalties (fines, restitution, court costs)
- Special conditions (community service, treatment programs, etc.)
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation or parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Orders of protection/restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DWI/DUI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges
- Probation/parole violations
The level of detail in criminal records may vary depending on the source of the information and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records maintained by the courts may contain more detailed information about case proceedings, while law enforcement records may focus more on arrest and booking details.
It should be noted that pursuant to various provisions of New York State law, certain information may be redacted or excluded from publicly available criminal records, including:
- Social Security Numbers
- Information about victims of sex crimes
- Information about juvenile offenders
- Sealed or expunged records
- Youthful offender adjudications
- Grand jury proceedings
How Long Does Bronx County Keep Criminal Records?
Bronx County maintains criminal records in accordance with the New York State Records Retention and Disposition Schedule, which establishes minimum retention periods for various types of government records. The retention of criminal records is governed by multiple statutory provisions, including Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 57.25, which mandates the development and implementation of records retention schedules.
Criminal records in Bronx County are typically retained according to the following schedule:
Arrest Records:
- Arrest reports and booking information: Minimum of 10 years
- Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention for convicted individuals; destruction authorized for cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50
- Mugshot photographs: Minimum of 10 years; destruction authorized for cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal
Court Records:
- Felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: Minimum of 25 years after case disposition
- Violation/infraction case files: Minimum of 6 years after case disposition
- Court dockets: Permanent retention
- Transcripts: Permanent retention for felony proceedings; minimum of 6 years for other proceedings
Incarceration Records:
- Jail admission and discharge records: Minimum of 10 years
- Inmate case files: Minimum of 10 years after release or discharge
- Visitor logs: Minimum of 3 years
Probation and Parole Records:
- Probation case files: Minimum of 10 years after discharge from supervision
- Pre-sentence investigation reports: Minimum of 10 years
It is important to note that while records may be eligible for destruction after the minimum retention period has elapsed, many criminal records in Bronx County are maintained for longer periods or permanently, particularly for serious offenses. Additionally, even when physical records are destroyed, electronic indices or summary information may be retained indefinitely.
Certain records may be subject to sealing or expungement under specific circumstances:
- Records sealed pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 (cases terminated in favor of the accused)
- Records sealed pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.55 (certain misdemeanor convictions)
- Records sealed pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.58 (certain drug-related offenses after completion of judicial diversion program)
- Records sealed pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59 (certain convictions after 10-year waiting period)
When records are sealed, they are not physically destroyed but are removed from public access and can only be viewed under limited circumstances as specified by law.