Find Arrest Records in Cattaraugus County
Cattaraugus County arrest records are managed by the Sheriff's Office, the County Clerk, and the court system in Little Valley. If you need to look up a booking, check on a case, or get copies of arrest-related files, this page explains where to go and how each office works. The county is in western New York, part of the 8th Judicial District. State-level tools from the Division of Criminal Justice Services can also help with arrest record searches. Here is what you need to know about getting Cattaraugus County arrest records.
Cattaraugus County Overview
Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office
The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office is at 301 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755. The main number is 716-938-9191. Sheriff Timothy S. Whitcomb leads the office. The Records Division can be reached at extension 2399, or you can call 716-753-4900 for the Records Office directly. This is where you go for arrest records, incident reports, and booking data.
To request records, you file a FOIL request with the Records Access Officer. FOIL is the Freedom of Information Law, found in Article 6 of the Public Officers Law, sections 84 through 90. Put the request in writing. Include the full name, arrest date if known, and any case numbers you have. The office has five business days to respond. Copies cost $0.25 per page. The Records Office also handles accident reports and fingerprinting services for permits and background checks. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Other divisions you might need include the Civil Office at 716-753-4371, Court Security at 716-753-4734, and Warrants at extension 2217. The Pistol Permit Office is at 716-753-4374.
Cattaraugus County Court Records
The Cattaraugus County Clerk is at 303 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755. Phone is 716-938-2297. Alan Bernstein serves as the County Clerk. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Clerk's office holds court records from Supreme Court and County Court cases, which includes felony arrest records that went through the court process.
Cattaraugus County Court is at the same address. The court phone is 716-938-9111. Part of the 8th Judicial District, this court handles felony criminal cases and major civil matters. Court clerks can give you case status information. You can visit in person or send a FOIL request to get copies of court files. Security screening is required for all visitors to the courthouse.
The Office of Court Administration runs a statewide Criminal History Record Search. It costs $95 per name. This is a name-based search, not fingerprint-based. It needs an exact match on name and date of birth to return results. You can also check WebCrims for pending criminal cases with upcoming court dates. Guest access is free.
Cattaraugus County District Attorney
The DA's Office is at 303 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755. Phone is 716-938-9111. The District Attorney reviews all arrests and decides what charges to file. If you need to find out what happened after someone was arrested in Cattaraugus County, the DA's office is one place to ask.
Victim services are available through this office. Crime victims can get referrals, help with the court process, and information about their case. The DA participates in treatment court programs and diversion programs for certain defendants. FOIL requests go to this office in writing during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
State-Level Arrest Record Tools
The DCJS keeps the official state criminal history database. These records are fingerprint-based. To get your own rap sheet, you go to an IdentoGO location and submit prints. The fee runs $50 to $65. Results come by mail. Third-party sites cannot access the DCJS database. Only the person named, authorized agencies, and certain employers with legal authority can get these records.
CPL section 160.50 seals arrests that end in dismissal or acquittal automatically. The Clean Slate Act seals eligible misdemeanor convictions after 3 years and felony convictions after 8 years from sentence completion. Sex offenses and Class A felonies do not qualify. Under CPL section 160.59, a person can apply to seal up to two convictions if 10 years have passed since the last sentence ended. The NY Attorney General's office has more details on eligibility.
The DOCCS Inmate Lookup lets you search for people in state prison. Search by name or ID number. The Sex Offender Registry is free to search for Level 2 and Level 3 offenders by name, county, or ZIP code.
Cattaraugus County Jail Information
The Cattaraugus County Jail is at 301 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755. The jail phone is 716-938-9194. It is a maximum security facility with 150 beds. The Sheriff's Office runs the jail. Call 716-938-9191 ext. 2245 for inmate information.
The jail holds people waiting for trial and those serving short sentences. Visitation hours are Tuesdays and Fridays, 11:45 AM to 3:45 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. You need a photo ID to visit. Mail and communication procedures follow New York State standards. Bail and bonding information is available through the facility. If someone has been sent to state prison, use the DOCCS lookup tool instead.
Note: People arrested within the last 72 hours may still be in police custody and not yet in the county jail system.
The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office website shown above provides contact information for the Records Division and details on how to submit a records request.
Marijuana Expungement and Record Sealing
New York's Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act wiped out old cannabis convictions across the state. If you had a conviction under Penal Law sections 221.05 through 221.40, that record is now vacated, dismissed, and expunged. It is treated as if it never took place. No one can ask about it, and it will not show up in a CHRS search or on WebCrims.
For other types of records, the Clean Slate Act gives people a path to move on. Eligible misdemeanor convictions seal after 3 years. Felonies seal after 8 years from the date you finish your sentence. The clock starts when you complete parole, probation, or whatever the last part of the sentence was. Sex offenses and Class A felonies are left out of this law entirely. The NY Attorney General's office has a full breakdown of who qualifies and how to check your status.
CPL 160.59 is still an option for people who want to seal up to two convictions before the Clean Slate timelines kick in. You file the motion at the court where the conviction happened. At least 10 years must have passed since the last sentence ended. Only one of the two can be a felony. The court looks at the nature of the crime, your record since then, and the impact on any victims before making a decision.
Nearby Counties
If you need records from areas near Cattaraugus County, these neighboring counties maintain their own arrest records: