Criminal records in Cattaraugus County, New York, can be accessed through several channels. CattaraugusCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Cattaraugus County court system, the Sheriff's Office, the County Clerk's Office, and state-level repositories. The sections below explain how to search, request, and understand criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Cattaraugus
Several methods are available depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- CattaraugusCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information by name or case number.
- New York State Unified Court System (WebCivil Supreme) — The state court system offers online access to Supreme Court and Civil Court case information. Criminal case searches at the county level may require direct contact with the court clerk.
- DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup — Search for individuals currently or formerly incarcerated in a New York State correctional facility, searchable by name or DIN (Department Identification Number).
- Sex Offender Registry — The NY Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains a searchable registry by name, county, or zip code. Cattaraugus County is included.
- Most Wanted List — The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office publishes a current most wanted list online.
- Sheriff's Office News and Press Releases — Recent arrest information and police blotter entries.
- NYSP Blotter Reports — New York State Police media reports covering Cattaraugus County troop activity.
In Person
Visit the Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office or the courthouse in Little Valley to access public case files. Court records for County Court, Supreme Court, and Surrogate's Court are maintained at the county center.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request to the County Clerk's Office or file a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request for access to public records. For statewide criminal history reports, contact the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), which is the official state repository for criminal history records.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number or index number (if available)
- Approximate date range of the case
Search Cattaraugus Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. New York uses a standardized case numbering format across its Unified Court System.
A typical New York case number follows this pattern:
- Court type prefix — indicates the court (e.g., "CR" for criminal matters in County Court)
- Year — the two- or four-digit year the case was filed
- Sequential number — assigned in the order the case was received
For example, a case number like 2024-0123 would indicate the 123rd case filed in 2024. The exact format can vary slightly between County Court, Supreme Court, and local justice courts.
To search by case number, contact the Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office directly or use CattaraugusCourt.us. Town and village justice courts in Cattaraugus County maintain their own records, so cases originating in those courts may need to be requested from the specific local court.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Cattaraugus
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | References the New York Penal Law section (e.g., PL 155.25 for petit larceny) |
| Charge Severity | Felony (classes A–E), misdemeanor (classes A–B), violation, or infraction |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be reduced or modified through plea agreements or prosecutorial discretion |
| Multiple Counts | A single case may include several charges, each listed separately |
Case Status
- Pending — Case filed but not yet resolved
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing; hearings or motions are scheduled
- Disposed — Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Sealed — Record restricted from public view under CPL § 160.50 or § 160.55
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Initial court appearance where charges are read and bail is set
- Preliminary Hearing — Review of probable cause (felony cases)
- Pre-Trial Conference — Discussion of plea offers, discovery, and scheduling
- Suppression Hearing — Arguments to exclude certain evidence
- Trial — Bench or jury trial on the merits
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty plea or conviction
Court Results
- Guilty — Conviction by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty — Acquitted after trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecution
- Adjourned in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD) — Case adjourned and dismissed after a set period if conditions are met
- Sealed — Under New York law, certain dismissed or ACD cases are automatically sealed
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Cattaraugus
County-Level Court Records
The Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office handles requests for certified copies of court records, including criminal case dispositions filed in County Court and Supreme Court.
- Visit the Clerk's Office in person or submit a written request by mail.
- Provide the case number, defendant's name, and the specific document needed.
- Pay the applicable certification and copy fees.
- Present a valid government-issued photo ID if requesting records in person.
You may also submit a FOIL request form for public records not readily available at the counter.
State-Level Criminal History Records
For an official criminal history report (rap sheet), requests go through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Individuals can request their own record, and authorized agencies may request records for employment or licensing purposes. Fingerprint submission is typically required.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Cattaraugus
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photocopy of court record | $0.25 per page | Standard rate under NY Public Officers Law § 87 |
| Certification of document | $5.00 per document | County Clerk certification |
| FOIL request copies | $0.25 per page | Per NY Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii) |
| DCJS criminal history search (personal) | $50.00 | Fingerprint-based; submitted through DCJS |
| DCJS criminal history search (employer/agency) | $75.00+ | Varies by authorization type; fingerprinting required |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often fulfilled the same day for records on file at the Clerk's Office.
- Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks for standard requests; FOIL requests must be acknowledged within 5 business days under New York law, with records provided within a reasonable time.
- DCJS criminal history — Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks after fingerprint submission.
Fees are generally payable by check or money order made out to the Cattaraugus County Clerk. Contact the Clerk's Office at 716-938-2599 to confirm current accepted payment methods before mailing a request.