Southampton Arrest Records Lookup
Southampton arrest records are maintained by the Southampton Town Police Department. Unlike some other Suffolk County towns, Southampton has its own police force. The department handles all arrest reports and incident records within town limits. Suffolk County courts process criminal cases from Southampton. This page explains how to get records, who to contact, and what options are available.
Southampton Quick Facts
Southampton Town Police Department
The Southampton Town Police Department provides law enforcement for the town. Their website at southamptontownnypolice.gov has department contacts, news, and information about services. All arrest reports from incidents in Southampton are created and stored by this department.
To get a copy of a police report, contact the department's records section. You will need the date of the incident, names of those involved, and a report or case number if you have it. People named on a report can generally pick up copies with valid ID. If you are not listed on the report, a FOIL request is needed.
Reports tied to active investigations may not be released until the case closes. The police department can tell you the status of any pending request and give you an expected timeline.
FOIL Requests
FOIL gives you the right to request records from government agencies in New York. For Southampton police records, send your request to the police department. For other town records, the town clerk handles FOIL requests.
Include your name, contact details, a description of the records you need, and how you want to receive them. The standard fee is $0.25 per page for copies up to 9x14 inches. The agency must acknowledge your request within five business days under Public Officers Law. They will provide the records, deny access with a written explanation, or tell you when to expect an answer.
Denied requests can be appealed in writing within 30 days. Common reasons for denial include open investigation status, risk to personal safety, and exemptions under state or federal law. Each denial must cite the specific basis.
Southampton Town Court
Southampton has its own Town Court that handles traffic violations, local code violations, small claims, and some criminal arraignments. The Town Court is part of the New York State Unified Court System. Court records from cases heard in Southampton Town Court can be requested from the court clerk.
Misdemeanor cases may be heard in Town Court or transferred to Suffolk County courts depending on the charges. Felony cases are sent to Suffolk County Supreme Court for trial. Records from county-level cases are held at the county courthouse.
Suffolk County Court Records
Criminal cases from Southampton that go beyond the Town Court level are heard in Suffolk County courts. You can search pending cases through WebCrims, the free state court tool. Guest access lets you search by name. Only cases with upcoming court dates appear. Closed cases and sealed records are not shown.
The NYS Office of Court Administration runs a Criminal History Record Search for $95 per name. This name-based search covers all 62 counties and returns open cases and convictions. It only matches on exact name and date of birth.
The Suffolk County Clerk maintains court records, land records, and other official documents. Online land records from April 1970 to present are available digitally. The Suffolk County District Attorney prosecutes criminal cases. The Suffolk County Sheriff runs the county jail.
State Criminal History
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps the only official state criminal records. DCJS records are fingerprint-based. Submit prints at an IdentoGO location for $50 to $65. Results come by mail in 7 to 10 business days. These records cannot be obtained through FOIL.
Third-party background check companies cannot access DCJS records. Only the subject, authorized criminal justice agencies, and employers with statutory authority can get them.
NYS Incarcerated Person Lookup
If someone from Southampton was sentenced to state prison, use the NYS DOCCS Incarcerated Person Locator. Search by name or DIN number. This covers state prisons only, not county jails. For people in Suffolk County jail, contact the sheriff's office.
Record Sealing
Arrests ending in dismissal or acquittal are sealed automatically under CPL 160.50. Conviction sealing under CPL 160.59 requires no more than two convictions (one felony max) and 10 years since sentence completion. The Clean Slate Act took effect November 16, 2024. Once fully implemented, it will auto-seal eligible misdemeanors after 3 years and felonies after 8 years.
Sex offenses, violent felonies, and Class A felonies are excluded. The NY Attorney General has a guide on the sealing process.
Sex Offender Registry
The NYS Sex Offender Registry is free. Search by name, county, ZIP, or proximity. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders are listed online. Level 1 offenders are not publicly available. Phone lookups at 1-800-262-3257.
Southampton Police Records Details
The Southampton Town Police Department headquarters is at 110 Old Riverhead Road, Hampton Bays, NY 11946. Chief James Kiernan runs the department. The Records Division number is (631) 702-2270. For non-emergencies, call (631) 702-2220. Fax is (631) 728-5440. You can also email LSchurek@southamptontownny.gov for records questions.
The department has specialized units beyond regular patrol. The Detective Bureau handles investigations. The Traffic Division covers road safety. A Marine Patrol unit watches the water, which matters in a coastal town like Southampton. The Town Clerk, Sundy A. Schermeyer, manages all town records from 200 Howell Avenue, Southampton, NY 11901, phone (631) 287-5740. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 AM to 4:15 PM. FOIL requests can go by mail, in person, or by email to townclerk@southamptontownny.gov. The Village of Southampton also has its own police department at 151 Windmill Lane, phone (631) 283-0056. If the arrest happened inside the village, check with village police first. The Suffolk County Sheriff at 100 Center Drive, Riverhead, phone (631) 852-2233, handles county jail records and pistol permits for eastern Suffolk.
Suffolk County
Southampton is in Suffolk County, which covers the eastern portion of Long Island. The county seat is Riverhead. Suffolk County is the largest county in New York by land area.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
For arrest records from areas near Southampton: