Criminal records in Clinton County, New York, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. ClintonCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Clinton County. The Clinton County Clerk's Office handles court filings and certified records, while the Clinton County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and jail records. State-level repositories through the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) also provide criminal history data.
How to Search Criminal Records in Clinton County
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Clinton County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and what type of record you need.
Online Search Options
- ClintonCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information tied to Clinton County criminal cases.
- New York State Unified Court System (WebCivil Supreme) — The state court system offers an online case search at WebCrims for criminal cases in certain courts. Availability for Clinton County courts may vary.
- Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup — The Clinton County Corrections Division provides an inmate lookup tool to check current jail bookings.
- NYS DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup — For individuals sentenced to state prison, use the New York State DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup.
- Sex Offender Registry — Search the New York State Sex Offender Registry for registered offenders by name, county, or ZIP code.
In Person
Visit the Clinton County Clerk's Office on the first floor of the Clinton County Government Center in Plattsburgh. The Clerk's Office assists the Supreme and County Courts by handling fees, fines, filings, and certifying court records. Public access terminals may be available for searching case indexes.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request for criminal record information to the Clinton County Clerk's Office. For a formal criminal history report, submit a request to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), which serves as the state's criminal history repository. DCJS requests typically require fingerprinting and a processing fee.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number or index number (if available)
- Approximate date of arrest or filing
Search Clinton County Criminal Cases by Case Number
New York courts assign case numbers using a structured format. Understanding the format helps you locate records faster.
- County Court cases typically follow a format like IND-2024-00123, where "IND" indicates an indictment, followed by the filing year and a sequential number.
- Supreme Court cases use an index number, often formatted as 2024-1234, with the year followed by a sequential filing number assigned by the clerk.
- Local criminal court cases (City Court, Town Court, Village Court) may use docket numbers with different prefixes depending on the court.
If you have a case number, provide it when contacting the Clinton County Clerk's Office or when searching through the state court system's online tools. Case numbers return more precise results than name-based searches, especially for common names.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Clinton County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | References the specific section of the New York Penal Law (e.g., PL 120.05 — Assault in the Second Degree) |
| Felony | Serious offenses classified from Class A (most severe) through Class E; carry potential state prison sentences |
| Misdemeanor | Class A or Class B; punishable by up to one year in county jail |
| Violation/Infraction | Non-criminal offenses (e.g., disorderly conduct); typically result in fines, not jail time |
| Amended Charges | Original charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting court action
- Active — Proceedings are underway (hearings, motions, trial)
- Disposed — Case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled; no further court action expected
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — First court appearance where charges are read and bail is set
- Preliminary Hearing — Judge determines whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed (felony cases)
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss discovery, plea offers, and trial scheduling
- Trial — Case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review Hearing — Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with court orders or alternative programs such as those offered through Clinton County's Alternatives to Incarceration programs
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty — Acquitted after trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecution
- Acquitted — Found not guilty; case closed
- Adjourned in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD) — Case adjourned and dismissed after a set period if no new charges arise
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Clinton County
Certified copies of criminal court records in Clinton County are handled by the County Clerk's Office, which serves as clerk to the Supreme and County Courts.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Clerk's Office at the Clinton County Government Center. Bring valid government-issued photo identification.
- By mail — Send a written request specifying the case name, case number (if known), and the type of document needed. Include a check or money order for applicable fees payable to "Clinton County Clerk."
- State criminal history — For a formal rap sheet, submit a request directly to DCJS. This requires fingerprinting, which can be done at the Clinton County Sheriff's Office or an authorized IdentoGO location.
Identification Required
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- For DCJS requests: fingerprint submission
Clinton County Clerk's Office
Clinton County Sheriff's Office
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Clinton County
Fees for criminal record copies in New York are generally set by statute. The following table reflects standard fees under New York County Law and CPLR provisions. Contact the Clerk's Office to confirm current amounts before submitting payment.
| Service | Fee | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.65 | CPLR § 8019 |
| Certification of document | $1.25 per certification | CPLR § 8019 |
| County Clerk search (per two-year period) | $5.00 | NY County Law § 525 |
| DCJS criminal history record check (personal) | $75.00 | NY Executive Law § 837 |
| Fingerprinting fee (at IdentoGO or authorized location) | Varies (typically $75–$100+) | Set by vendor/agency |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed same day or within a few business days, depending on complexity
- Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mailing
- DCJS criminal history checks — Typically 2–4 weeks from fingerprint submission
Fees are generally payable by check, money order, or cash (in person only). Confirm accepted payment methods with the Clerk's Office before mailing a request.