Search Onondaga County Arrest Records
Onondaga County arrest records are held by the Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and the county court system. The county covers Syracuse and the towns and villages around it in central New York. If you need to find arrest records in Onondaga County, you can submit a FOIL request to the Sheriff's Office, search court records through the County Clerk, or use state tools like WebCrims to check pending cases. The Sheriff's Office handles most arrest reports for areas outside of city limits, while the Syracuse Police Department manages arrests within the city.
Onondaga County Overview
Onondaga County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office is at 407 South State Street in Syracuse. Call them at (315) 435-3044. The office handles law enforcement across the county and keeps arrest reports, incident files, and booking data for people brought into custody by sheriff deputies. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
To get arrest records from the Sheriff's Office, you need to file a FOIL request. Put your request in writing and send it to the Records Access Officer. Include the person's name, the date of the arrest if you know it, and any case or incident numbers. Under Public Officers Law Sections 84 through 90, the office must respond within five business days. They can give you the records, deny your request with a written reason, or send an acknowledgment with an estimated date for when they will get back to you. Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page for documents up to 9 by 14 inches.
The Onondaga County jail is at the same address on South State Street. You can reach the jail at (315) 435-1771 for questions about people in custody, bail amounts, and visiting hours.
Onondaga County Court Records
The County Clerk's office is at 401 Montgomery Street in Syracuse. Call (315) 435-2226 for records questions. The clerk keeps court files for criminal cases heard in County Court and Supreme Court. You can ask for certificates of disposition, which show how a case ended. These are useful when you need proof of a case outcome.
Onondaga County Court handles felony criminal cases. The court is part of the 5th Judicial District. Arrest records that lead to charges create case files that stay with the clerk. You can search for active cases through the state's eCourts system online. For pending criminal cases with future court dates, WebCrims lets you look up cases by name or docket number as a guest. It will not show sealed cases, closed cases, or warrants.
If you need a certified copy of a disposition, bring the case number and the defendant's name to the clerk's office. Fees apply for copies and certified documents. In-person visits work best for fast turnaround.
Note: Certificates of disposition are issued by the County Clerk, not the Sheriff's Office or District Attorney.
How FOIL Works in Onondaga County
FOIL stands for Freedom of Information Law. It is the main way to get arrest records from government agencies in New York. In Onondaga County, you can file FOIL requests with the Sheriff's Office, the District Attorney, or any other county agency that holds records you need.
Your request must be in writing. Include your name, contact info, and a clear description of the records you want. Be as specific as you can. A request for "all arrest records" is too broad and may be denied. Instead, ask for records tied to a specific person, date, or incident. The agency has five business days to respond. If they need more time, they must tell you when to expect a final answer. If they deny your request, they have to explain why in writing. You then have 30 days to appeal that denial.
There is no charge to look at records in person at a government office. If you want copies mailed to you, the fee is $0.25 per page. Electronic copies sent by email have no copy fee. Some complex requests that take more than two hours to fill may carry extra charges based on staff time.
Onondaga County District Attorney
The District Attorney's Office is at 505 South State Street in Syracuse. The phone number is (315) 435-2470. This office handles all felony cases and many misdemeanor cases in the county. The DA reviews arrests made by the Sheriff's Office, Syracuse Police, and other local agencies. They decide what charges to file and prosecute cases in court.
Victim services are available through the DA's office. If you are a victim of a crime in Onondaga County, the office can help you understand the case process and connect you with support resources. Case status questions can be directed to the office during regular business hours.
Arrest Records Laws in Onondaga County
New York's FOIL law makes most government records public. But arrest records have some limits. Records tied to open investigations can be withheld. So can details that would put someone's safety at risk. Under CPL Section 160.50, arrests that end in dismissal or acquittal are sealed automatically. You will not find those through a FOIL request or court search.
The Clean Slate Act, which took effect November 16, 2024, will eventually seal many older convictions. Misdemeanors get sealed three years after sentencing. Felonies get sealed eight years after the sentence is done. Sex offenses and Class A felonies are not eligible. The Division of Criminal Justice Services is the only source for official state rap sheets. You cannot get those through FOIL. They require fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
The Sex Offender Registry is a free tool from DCJS. It shows Level 2 and Level 3 offenders. You can search by name, county, or ZIP code. The Onondaga County Sheriff also keeps local sex offender data.
Statewide Search Tools
The Criminal History Record Search from the Office of Court Administration costs $95. It is a name-based search covering all 62 counties. Results include open cases and convictions but not sealed records. The search requires an exact match on name and date of birth.
The DOCCS Inmate Lookup shows people in state prison. Search by name or DIN number. Data is live and current. For people held at the Onondaga County jail, contact the Sheriff's Office directly at (315) 435-1771.
Cities in Onondaga County
Syracuse is the largest city in Onondaga County. The Syracuse Police Department handles arrests within city limits. For arrest records from Syracuse PD, submit a FOIL request to their records division. The town of Clay is also in Onondaga County, north of Syracuse.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Onondaga County. Each has its own sheriff's office and court system for arrest records.