Kings County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Kings County are the official documents created when a person is taken into custody by a law enforcement agency and booked into jail. These records play an important role in ensuring accountability and transparency in the justice system. In New York, the release of criminal history record information is governed by state statutes, including the New York Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law §§ 84-90, "FOIL") and Criminal Procedure Law provisions. Arrest records are used by courts to track criminal cases, by attorneys to prepare defense or prosecution, and by the public for oversight and background verification. They may also serve as the foundation for later remedies, such as sealing or vacating convictions under the Criminal Procedure Law.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in New York?

Yes, but with limits. Under New York's Freedom of Information Law, arrest records are generally considered public records. However, state law places important restrictions on what can be disclosed. For example, Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 requires the sealing of arrest records when cases are dismissed, result in acquittal, or are otherwise terminated in favor of the accused. Criminal Procedure Law § 160.55 provides for the sealing of records following conviction of certain non-criminal violations.

The principle is that members of the public are entitled to know basic information about arrests and criminal prosecutions, such as the charges filed and court status, while protecting individuals from unnecessary disclosure of sensitive or sealed data. Exemptions include:

• Juvenile arrest records, which are confidential under Family Court Act provisions.
• Sealed records under CPL §§ 160.50 or 160.55.
• Records that could interfere with active investigations or reveal confidential law enforcement techniques.
• Victim and witness details, which are redacted for privacy and safety.

Kings County Arrest Search

Arrest information in Kings County may be obtained through multiple channels. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) generates arrest and incident reports. Requests for police records are submitted through the NYPD Records Access Officer, either online through the NYC OpenRecords portal or by mail under FOIL. Applications must provide identifying details such as the subject's name, date of birth, arrest date, or report number if known. Fees apply for copies, typically $0.25 per page, with additional charges for certified documents.

Court-level information is maintained by the Kings County Criminal Court and the Kings County Supreme Court (Criminal Term). These courts allow the public to review dockets and case files unless the matter has been sealed. Online searches can be performed through the New York State Unified Court System's WebCrims portal, which provides free access to upcoming criminal case appearances by defendant name. For certified case files, requests may be directed to:

Standard copy fees apply, and certified copies require additional payment.

Statewide arrest and criminal history information is available through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). DCJS provides fingerprint-based criminal history record checks to authorized requesters. Members of the public may request their own records by submitting fingerprints through an approved vendor (IdentoGO) and paying the applicable processing fee (generally $13.75 for fingerprinting plus $62.00 for the state record check).

Kings County Inmate Locator

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) operates jails that house individuals arrested in Kings County. Current custody status, housing facility, and release dates can be checked through the DOC's online Inmate Lookup Service. Searches may be made using a defendant's name or NYSID (New York State Identification) number.

For physical record requests, inquiries may be directed to:

Requests must include identifying details such as the inmate's name, booking number, or date of arrest.

Active Warrant Search in Kings County

An arrest warrant is a judicial order authorizing law enforcement to take an individual into custody. In Kings County, warrants are issued by local criminal courts and carried out by the NYPD or other agencies. Warrant information is not available through a public online database. However, inquiries about active warrants may be made directly with the NYPD Warrant Division or the Kings County Criminal Court.

For official warrant matters, contact:

Law enforcement may confirm the existence of a warrant but will not disclose full details over the phone for privacy and safety reasons.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Kings County

Free access to arrest-related information is possible through:

• NYC Department of Correction Inmate Lookup Service, which provides public jail custody information at no cost.
• WebCrims, the Unified Court System's online portal, which lists pending criminal cases, future court dates, and appearances.
• Courthouse kiosks at the Kings County Criminal Court or Supreme Court, where members of the public can review unsealed case dockets for free.

Certified police reports and court documents typically require a formal request and payment of fees.

Kings County Arrest Report

An arrest report in Kings County is prepared by the NYPD at the time of arrest. It contains the officer's narrative, probable cause statement, witness accounts, and a description of the incident. By contrast, an arrest record is a summary entry documenting the fact of an arrest, including the person's identifying information, arrest date, charges, and case status. The arrest report provides the narrative context; the arrest record provides the official record of the event.

How to Get Arrest Records Sealed or Expunged in Kings County

New York does not provide traditional expungement for adult criminal records. Instead, records may be sealed under specific statutes:

• CPL § 160.50 - Sealing of records when a case is terminated in favor of the accused.
• CPL § 160.55 - Sealing following conviction for a non-criminal violation.
• CPL § 160.59 - Sealing up to two eligible convictions, at least ten years after sentencing or release.

Motions to seal must be filed with the Kings County Supreme Court, and notices served on the District Attorney. Once granted, sealed records are removed from public access, though certain government agencies retain limited access.

Juvenile records are sealed under the Family Court Act, and youthful offender adjudications are automatically confidential.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records from the Internet?

The most effective method of limiting online exposure of arrest information is to obtain a court order sealing the records under the applicable provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law. Once sealed, official sources such as courts and law enforcement are prohibited from disclosing the information, which reduces the likelihood of further online publication.

Private background websites may continue to display outdated records. Individuals may request removal by contacting the site directly, providing a court order, or using opt-out forms. Search engines such as Google can remove outdated cached results by submitting a removal request through Google's "Remove Outdated Content" tool.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Kings County may include the following details unless sealed:

• Full name of the person arrested
• Date and time of arrest
• Arresting agency (typically the NYPD)
• Booking number or arrest number
• Charges filed or alleged offenses
• Court case number
• Bail or bond status
• Custody status and facility location

Confidential details, including juvenile records, sealed dispositions, and victim information, are excluded under New York law.