Search Tonawanda Arrest Records
Tonawanda arrest records are kept by local police and the Erie County Sheriff's Office. The Town of Tonawanda sits in Erie County, just north of Buffalo, and has its own police force that handles most arrests in the area. This page covers every way to get arrest records, court files, and related data from Tonawanda agencies.
Tonawanda Overview
Tonawanda Police Department Records
The Town of Tonawanda Police Department is the main source for arrest records in the area. Their website at ntpolice.com has information on how to reach the department and what services they offer. The police handle all patrol calls, traffic stops, and criminal investigations in the town.
To get a copy of an arrest record, you file a FOIL request. FOIL stands for Freedom of Information Law. This is the legal process in New York for getting public records from a government agency. You need to put your request in writing and send it to the police department. Include the date of the arrest, the name of the person, and any case numbers you have. The more detail you give, the faster they can find what you need.
The department charges $0.25 per page for copies. That is the standard rate set by Public Officers Law. Cash and money order are the most common payment methods at the window. The police must respond to your FOIL request within five business days. They can either give you the records, tell you the records are denied with a reason, or send a letter saying when you can expect the full response.
If your request is denied, you can appeal. Put your appeal in writing and send it to the FOIL appeals officer. The appeals officer has ten business days to respond with a final decision. You can also contact the New York State Committee on Open Government for help with denied requests.
Walk-in requests are taken at the police station during business hours. Call ahead to check hours since they can vary. Bring a valid photo ID if you plan to pick up records in person.
Tonawanda City Website and Records
The official Town of Tonawanda website at tonawandacity.com provides access to town services and information about how to request records. The Town Clerk's office handles many types of public records beyond police files. This includes meeting minutes, resolutions, permits, and other official town documents.
The Town Clerk also serves as the Records Access Officer for FOIL requests that go to town departments other than the police. If your request covers town records that are not police records, send it to the Town Clerk instead. The same five-day response rule applies. The same copy fees apply too.
The screenshot above shows the Tonawanda police website, which is where you can find contact details and forms for records requests.
Erie County Sheriff's Office
The Erie County Sheriff's Office also has a role in law enforcement across the town. Deputies may respond to calls, serve warrants, or assist the local police on certain cases. When the sheriff handles an arrest, those records are kept by the sheriff's office rather than the town police.
The Erie County Sheriff is based at 10 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202. Their phone number is (716) 858-7618. The office has a records division that processes FOIL requests for sheriff-related arrest records. You can also check the Erie County page for more details on county-level records.
The Erie County Holding Center houses people who are arrested and held before trial. For inmate information, call (716) 858-7618. The holding center can tell you if someone is in custody, what the charges are, and when a court date is set.
Court Records in Tonawanda
The Tonawanda Town Court handles local criminal cases. This court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, violations, and traffic offenses that happen within the town. Felony cases start here with an arraignment but then move to Erie County Court for trial.
You can get court records by visiting the court clerk's office during business hours. The clerk can pull up case information and provide copies for a fee. Traffic tickets, DWI charges, and misdemeanor cases are all on file at the town court. Small claims matters are also heard here, with jurisdiction up to $3,000.
For cases that go to county court, you need to contact the Erie County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. The phone number is (716) 858-8785. The county clerk maintains records for all felony cases, civil suits, and appeals in Erie County.
Online case lookups are possible through the NYS Unified Court System. The WebCrims tool shows pending criminal cases with future court dates. You need at least three letters of the last name and two of the first name to search. This tool only shows open cases, not closed ones.
State Criminal History Checks
For a full criminal history that covers all of New York State, the Division of Criminal Justice Services is the only official source. DCJS keeps fingerprint-based records. You submit your prints at an IdentoGO location. The fee runs about $50 to $65, and results come by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
The NYS Office of Court Administration runs a name-based Criminal History Record Search for $95 per name. This search covers all 62 counties. It only finds exact matches on name and date of birth. Sealed records will not show up in either search.
Sealing and Expungement
New York does not have a true expungement process. But there are ways to seal certain records. Under CPL section 160.50, arrests that end in a dismissal, acquittal, or non-criminal outcome are sealed automatically. You do not need to file anything for those.
For convictions, CPL section 160.59 sets the rules. You can apply to seal up to two convictions, with no more than one felony. At least 10 years must have passed since your sentence ended or you were released from custody. Sex offenses, violent felonies, and Class A felonies cannot be sealed.
The Clean Slate Act took effect on November 16, 2024. This law will automatically seal many eligible convictions over the next few years. Misdemeanors will be sealed after 3 years. Felonies will be sealed after 8 years from completion of sentence. The Office of Court Administration has up to three years to set up the process.
Sex Offender Registry
The NYS Sex Offender Registry is free to search. You can look up offenders by name, county, or ZIP code. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders are listed online. Level 1 offenders are not on the public site but can be checked through local police. You can also call 1-800-262-3257 for phone lookups during business hours.
Erie County Resources
Tonawanda falls under Erie County for most county-level services. The Erie County District Attorney's Office handles felony prosecutions. The DA is located at 25 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202. For questions about pending charges or case status, call (716) 858-2424.
The Erie County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street maintains court records, land records, and business filings. Online land records are searchable through the county website. For court records, you can visit the clerk's office in person or submit a written request.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
If you need arrest records from areas near Tonawanda, these pages may help: