Criminal records in Onondaga County, New York, are available through several channels. OnondagaCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, you can use official state court portals, resources from the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, and the County Clerk's Office, which maintains documents for the Onondaga County Criminal Court and NYS Supreme Court.
How to Search Criminal Records in Onondaga
The search for criminal records begins with determining what specific information you are looking for and where it might be stored.
Online Search
- OnondagaCourt.us — enter the full name of the person or case number to view publicly available information about criminal cases in the county.
- New York State Courts Portal (WebCriminal) — New York's eCourts system allows you to search for criminal cases in the Supreme Court and County Court. You need the defendant's name or case number.
- Sheriff's Inmate Lookup — Onondaga County Justice Center database. Here you can check if a person is in custody. The system is linked with VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday).
- Active Warrants — the sheriff publishes a list of active arrest warrants for Central New York agencies.
In-Person Visit
The Onondaga County Clerk's Office is the official custodian of public records, including criminal case materials. You can visit the office and use public access terminals or ask a clerk to assist with the search.
Written Request
To obtain an official state-level criminal history, submit a request to the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). This process requires fingerprinting. Some law enforcement records are available through a FOIL request — for example, the New York State Police accepts such requests online.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
Search Onondaga Criminal Cases by Case Number
In New York State, criminal case numbers have a structured format that includes several key elements.
Typical format: CR-XXXX-YYYY or similar, where:
- Letter prefix — indicates the type of case (e.g., criminal, felony)
- Year — year the case was filed or registered
- Sequential number — unique identifier within the year
Supreme Court and County Court cases may have different numbering formats. If you know the exact number, the search is much faster — the system provides the specific case instead of a list of possible matches by name. The case number is usually indicated in court summonses, attorney documents, or court office notifications.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Onondaga
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of New York State Penal Law (e.g., PL 120.05 — Assault 2nd Degree) |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, Violation |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during the case review process |
Case Status
- Pending — case is open, awaiting review
- Active — case is in active proceedings
- Disposed — decision made, case closed
- Sealed — case sealed under CPL 160.50 or 160.55; public access closed
Types of Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — first appearance of the accused before a judge, charges announced
- Preliminary Hearing — judge assesses if there is enough evidence to proceed (for felonies)
- Pre-Trial Conference — parties discuss the possibility of a plea deal or prepare for trial
- Trial — court hearing
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty verdict
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed, charges dropped |
| Acquitted | Acquittal after trial |
| Adjourned in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD) | Case adjourned; if no violations occur within a specified period, charges are automatically dropped |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Onondaga
Certified copies of criminal records are needed for employment, licensing, or legal proceedings. The procedure depends on the type of document.
Through the County Clerk's Office
The Onondaga County Clerk's Office issues certified copies of criminal case documents heard in County Court and Supreme Court. Visit in person or send a written request.
Bring a photo ID. Provide the case number or full name and approximate date of the hearing.
Through DCJS (State Level)
A complete state-level criminal history is available through the Division of Criminal Justice Services. The procedure requires:
- Completing a request form
- Fingerprinting at an authorized location
- Payment of a fee
Results are mailed. It usually takes several weeks.
FOIL Request
Law enforcement records — such as police reports — can be requested through the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). The agency must respond within five business days.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Onondaga
Fees depend on the type of document and method of obtaining it.
| Service | Cost | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.65 | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Document certification | $1.25 per certification | During visit |
| Criminal history check through DCJS (fingerprints) | $95.00 | 2–4 weeks |
| FOIL request | $0.25 per page (over 9×14 inches — $0.50) | Up to 20 business days after confirmation |
Copying fees at the clerk's office are set according to CPLR § 8019 and Public Officers Law § 87. Payment is usually accepted by check, money order, or cash — confirm acceptable payment forms before visiting. Some courts have started accepting credit cards, but this is not guaranteed.
If you are submitting a request by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope — this will expedite receiving a response.