Putnam County Arrest Records Search
Putnam County arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office, the County Clerk, and the District Attorney in Carmel. Putnam is one of the smaller counties in the Hudson Valley, sitting just north of Westchester. The Sheriff's Office handles most arrest records requests, while the County Clerk keeps court files from felony proceedings. County Clerk Michael C. Bartolotti also serves as the FOIL Officer for the county, which means records requests often route through that office. Below is everything you need to get arrest records in Putnam County.
Putnam County Overview
Putnam County Sheriff's Office Records
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is at 4 County Center, Carmel, NY 10512. Phone is (845) 225-4300. The Sheriff patrols the county and is the primary source for arrest records, incident reports, and booking data outside of local village police departments.
To request arrest records, file a FOIL request in writing. Include the person's full name, date of arrest if known, and any case numbers. The Records Access Officer has five business days to respond. Copies cost $0.25 per page under Public Officers Law section 87. If you get a denial, it must come in writing with a reason, and you have the right to appeal.
The Putnam County Jail is also at 4 County Center. For inmate information, call (845) 225-4300. Staff can tell you about charges, bail status, and custody information for people currently held.
Note: The Sheriff's Office provides fingerprinting services for background checks and licensing purposes by appointment.
Court Records in Putnam County
The Putnam County Clerk is at 40 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel, NY 10512. Phone is (845) 808-1142. County Clerk Michael C. Bartolotti oversees court records and also serves as the FOIL Officer for the county. The office operates by appointment only. Summer hours run 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM from mid-June to mid-September.
Putnam County is in the 9th Judicial District. Court records from Supreme Court and County Court include felony arrest cases. Certificates of disposition from these courts are available for $5.00 each. The Clerk's office handles land records, judgments, and business certificates too.
The OCA Criminal History Record Search covers all 62 New York counties for $95 per name. It is name-based. An exact match on name and date of birth is needed. Sealed records do not appear. Results with hits come back in one to two business days.
Check WebCrims for free to see pending criminal cases in Putnam County. Guest access does not need registration. You need three letters of the last name and two of the first name. Only open cases with future court dates show up.
Putnam County District Attorney
The DA's Office is at 40 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel, NY 10512. Phone is (845) 808-1240. The District Attorney reviews every arrest in the county and decides whether to file charges. For case status updates or information about the prosecution of a specific arrest, contact this office.
The DA also runs victim services. Crime victims can get help understanding the court process and connecting with support agencies. Diversion programs may apply to certain defendants, and completing those programs can lead to case dismissal and automatic record sealing.
State Record Sources for Putnam County
The Division of Criminal Justice Services is the sole source for official state criminal history records. These are fingerprint-based. Third-party sites do not have access to this database. Submit prints at an IdentoGO location for $50 to $65. Results come by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Under CPL section 160.50, arrests ending in dismissal or acquittal seal automatically. The Clean Slate Act, effective November 2024, extends automatic sealing to eligible misdemeanors after 3 years and felonies after 8 years from sentence completion. Sex offenses and Class A felonies are not eligible for automatic sealing.
Search the DOCCS Inmate Lookup for people in state prison. If someone arrested in Putnam County was sent to a state facility, this tool shows current status and location. The Sex Offender Registry is free to search by name or county.
FOIL in Putnam County
FOIL requests in Putnam County can go to the Sheriff, the Clerk, or the DA. Since the County Clerk serves as the FOIL Officer, many requests route through that office. Put requests in writing. Be specific. Names, dates, and case numbers help speed things up.
Agencies have five business days to respond. Fees are $0.25 per page. Denials come in writing with a reason. You can appeal any denial. Common exemptions include ongoing investigations, sealed cases, and records that would invade personal privacy under Public Officers Law section 89.
Sealing Arrest Records in Putnam County
Dismissed cases seal automatically under CPL section 160.50. Cannabis convictions under the MRTA are expunged.
CPL section 160.59 lets you petition to seal up to two convictions after 10 years. Only one can be a felony. Sex offenses and violent felonies are excluded. File the motion with the court that handled the original case. The NY Attorney General has information on eligibility and the filing process.
Note: Sealed records may still be visible to certain employers with statutory authority and to federal immigration authorities.
The DCJS page above explains how Putnam County residents can review their own criminal history through the official state process.
Nearby Counties
Putnam County shares borders with several counties, each with its own record-keeping offices:
Cities in Putnam County
Putnam County does not have any cities with a large enough population for a dedicated page. Contact the Sheriff's Office or County Clerk in Carmel for local arrest records.
State Arrest Record Search Tools
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps the official state rap sheet for every person with a criminal history in New York. You need to submit fingerprints through an IdentoGO location to get your own record. The fee is $50 to $65. Results come by mail in 7 to 10 business days. DCJS records cannot be obtained through FOIL.
The Criminal History Record Search from the Office of Court Administration costs $95 per search. It uses an exact match on name and date of birth. Results include open cases and convictions from all 62 counties but not sealed records. The search can be done online through Direct Access or by mail. For pending cases with future court dates, WebCrims is free and open to the public as a guest.
Under CPL Section 160.50, arrests that end in dismissal or acquittal are sealed automatically. The Clean Slate Act, effective November 2024, will seal eligible convictions over time. Misdemeanors seal after three years from sentencing. Felonies seal after eight years from completion of sentence. Sex offenses and Class A felonies are not eligible for sealing. Marijuana convictions under Penal Law Sections 221.05 through 221.40 are expunged under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act.