Find Amherst Arrest Records
Amherst arrest records are held by the Amherst Police Department and the Erie County court system. The town sits just east of Buffalo and has its own full-service police force that keeps all incident and arrest reports at 500 John James Audubon Parkway. If you need to look up an arrest in Amherst, there are a few paths to take. You can file a FOIL request with the Town Clerk, visit the police records office in person, or check through the Erie County Clerk for court-level files. This page covers each option and what you should know before you start.
Amherst Quick Facts
Amherst Police Department Records
The Amherst Police Department is at 500 John James Audubon Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14228. Chief Scott P. Chamberlin runs the department. Call (716) 689-1311 for non-emergency matters. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can walk in and ask for copies of incident reports, accident reports, or arrest records during those hours.
If you want a copy of an Amherst arrest record, you can go in person or send a FOIL request through the Town Clerk at 5583 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221. The clerk is the Records Access Officer and handles all written requests. Put the details in writing. Give them the name, the date, and any case number you have. They must respond within five business days. Copies cost $0.25 per page under Public Officers Law. You can also send your request by mail or fax.
The department also offers fingerprinting for background checks, licensing, and other needs. Call ahead for an appointment.
Amherst Town Court Arrest Cases
The Amherst Town Court is at the Municipal Building, 5583 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221. Call (716) 631-7020 for the court office. This court has power over misdemeanors, violations, and traffic offenses that happen in Amherst. If someone gets arrested on a misdemeanor charge in town, the case goes through here first.
Court sessions are held on a regular schedule at the Municipal Building. The court handles arraignments, trials, and sentencing. Traffic tickets can be answered by pleading guilty or not guilty. Small claims up to $3,000 can also be filed here. Filing fees are $10 for claims of $1,000 or less, and $15 for claims between $1,001 and $3,000. The court provides interpreters for people who do not speak English, and the building is fully accessible.
Note: Court records and case dispositions are kept by the Town Clerk's office and can be accessed during business hours.
Erie County Arrest Records for Amherst
Felony cases that start in Amherst move to the Erie County court system after the initial arraignment. The Erie County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 keeps all Supreme Court and County Court records. Call (716) 858-8785 for records inquiries. If an arrest in Amherst leads to a felony indictment, the file ends up at the county level.
The Erie County Sheriff's Office at 10 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202 also holds arrest records for incidents they handle in the area. Phone is (716) 858-7618. The Sheriff runs the Erie County Holding Center at 40 Delaware Avenue, which holds people who are waiting for trial or serving short sentences. For inmate information, call the same number. The Erie County District Attorney prosecutes criminal cases from Amherst and across the county.
Amherst Arrest Records Search Online
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps the main criminal history database for the state. This is the only way to get a fingerprint-based rap sheet. You must visit an IdentoGO location, pay between $50 and $65, and wait 7 to 10 business days for results by mail.
For name-based searches, the Office of Court Administration runs a Criminal History Record Search at $95 per name. You need the exact name and date of birth. This covers courts across New York, so it catches cases from Amherst and elsewhere. Sealed records will not show up.
If you want to check on a pending case with a future court date, WebCrims is free. Enter at least three letters of the last name and two of the first name. It only shows active cases. Closed matters, warrants, and sealed files are not listed.
Sealing Amherst Arrest Records
Under CPL section 160.50, arrests that end in dismissal or acquittal are sealed right away. You do not need to apply. The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act also cleared certain cannabis convictions from the public record automatically.
CPL section 160.59 allows you to apply to seal up to two criminal convictions if 10 years have passed since your last sentence ended. Only one can be a felony. Sex offenses, violent felonies, and Class A felonies are not eligible. The application goes to the court where the conviction happened. The Attorney General's office explains who qualifies. The Clean Slate Act, which took effect November 16, 2024, seals eligible misdemeanors after 3 years and felonies after 8 years from the end of the sentence. Sex offenses and Class A felonies do not qualify for that either.
Amherst Inmate and Offender Lookup
People arrested in Amherst may be held at the Erie County Holding Center or sent to a state prison for longer terms. The DOCCS Inmate Lookup tool covers state prisons. Search by last name or Department Identification Number. Results come from the live DOCCS database.
The Sex Offender Registry is free to search by name, county, or ZIP code. It lists Level 2 and Level 3 offenders in the Amherst area and across the state.
The Amherst Police Department website below is the starting point for records requests and general police services in Amherst.
This page links to police services, department contacts, and information about how to get copies of reports from the Amherst police.
Amherst Arrest Records by County
Amherst is in Erie County. All felony cases from Amherst move through the Erie County court system. The county page covers the Sheriff's Office, the County Clerk, and other offices that hold arrest records for the broader region around Amherst and Buffalo.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Amherst also have arrest record pages: