Hempstead Arrest Records Lookup
Hempstead arrest records are held by the Hempstead Police Department and several Nassau County offices. The town is one of the largest in New York by population, and its police department handles a high volume of arrest reports each year. Getting copies of those records means filing a FOIL request with the right office. Nassau County courts, the District Attorney, and the Sheriff each play a role too. Whether you want to check on a recent case or pull older records, this page covers all the steps and sources for finding Hempstead arrest records.
Hempstead Quick Facts
Hempstead Police Department Records
The Hempstead Police Department handles arrest records for the town. FOIL requests are the main way to get copies of incident reports, arrest files, and related documents. Under New York's Freedom of Information Law, you can ask for records in writing. Include the full name of the person, the date of the arrest, and any case numbers you have. The department must respond within five business days.
After the 2020 repeal of Civil Rights Law Section 50-a, police disciplinary records became available through FOIL. The Hempstead Police Department turned over 782 records to the New York Civil Liberties Union. Those files covered misconduct allegations, use of force reports, civilian complaints, and internal policies. This was a big shift in what the public can now access from the department.
Copies cost $0.25 per page. If the request takes more than two hours of staff time, extra charges may apply. You can submit requests by mail to the Hempstead Police Department or through the town's records office.
Hempstead FOIL Case Law
The case of Sethi v. Town of Hempstead (2024 N.Y. Slip Op. 6202) set an important marker for records access in the town. The Second Department upheld an award of $60,015 in attorneys fees under FOIL's fee-shifting provision. The court found that the town had failed to produce records related to sexual harassment complaints against supervisors in a timely way. The ruling shows that agencies face real costs when they drag their feet on FOIL compliance.
This case matters for anyone seeking Hempstead arrest records because it confirms that the courts take FOIL obligations seriously. If a request is denied or delayed without good reason, you can appeal. If the appeal fails, you can go to court. And if the court sides with you, the town may have to pay your legal fees.
Nassau County Arrest Records
Nassau County handles most of the court-side records for Hempstead arrests. The Nassau County Clerk's Office maintains files from County Court and Supreme Court. After an arrest in Hempstead, felony cases move through the county system. The Clerk's office is where those records end up. You can request copies in person or by mail.
The Nassau County District Attorney prosecutes criminal cases from Hempstead and the rest of the county. If you want to know what charges were filed or the outcome of a case, the DA's office can help. The Nassau County Sheriff's Office also processes records requests. Their Corrections Division holds booking data for people who went through the county jail.
For more on county-level resources, see the Nassau County arrest records page.
State Criminal History Search
The Division of Criminal Justice Services is the only source for official New York State criminal history records. These are fingerprint-based. You submit prints through an IdentoGO location and pay between $50 and $65. Results come by mail in 7 to 10 business days. No third-party site can give you these records.
The Office of Court Administration offers a name-based Criminal History Record Search for $95. It covers courts in all 62 New York counties. The search requires an exact match on name and date of birth. Sealed records will not show up. Results come by email within one to two business days for cases that have records.
Note: DCJS records cannot be obtained through FOIL or from any third-party background check company.
Court System for Hempstead Cases
Hempstead falls in the 10th Judicial District. Misdemeanor cases from arrests in the town are heard in district court. Felony cases go to Nassau County Court or Supreme Court after indictment. You can look up pending cases with future court dates through WebCrims. Guest access is free. You need at least three letters of the last name and two of the first name to search.
WebCrims only shows cases with upcoming court dates. Closed cases, warrants, and sealed files are not included. For a certified copy of a disposition, you need to go to the court where the case was heard.
Sealing Hempstead Arrest Records
Arrests that end in dismissal or acquittal are sealed automatically under CPL section 160.50. You do not need to apply. Cannabis convictions covered by the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act have also been wiped from public records.
If you have a conviction, CPL section 160.59 lets you apply to seal up to two criminal convictions after 10 years from the end of your sentence. Only one can be a felony. Sex offenses, violent felonies, and Class A felonies are not eligible. The Clean Slate Act took effect November 16, 2024, and will automatically seal eligible misdemeanors after 3 years and felonies after 8 years from sentence completion. The Attorney General's office has a guide on the process.
Inmate and Offender Searches
The DOCCS Inmate Lookup covers people in state prison. Search by last name or Department Identification Number. Data is pulled live from the state database. People held at the Nassau County jail are not in this system.
The Sex Offender Registry is free to search. You can look up offenders by name, county, or ZIP code. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders appear online. Level 1 offenders are not listed publicly but may be available through local law enforcement.
The screenshot below shows the Town of Hempstead official website, which provides information on town services and government operations.
This state-level page is a starting point for Hempstead residents who want to review their own criminal history through DCJS or file a records request.
Hempstead Arrest Records by County
Hempstead is in Nassau County. All felony cases from Hempstead arrests move to the county court after arraignment. The county page covers the Sheriff's Office, County Clerk, and other offices that hold arrest-related files for the wider Nassau County area.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities also have arrest record pages: