Suffolk County Arrest Records
Suffolk County arrest records come from several agencies, including the Sheriff's Office, the Suffolk County Police Department, and the County Clerk. This is one of the most populated counties in New York, covering the eastern two-thirds of Long Island. Record requests here can involve more than one office depending on what you need. The Sheriff handles jail and incarceration records while the police department manages most arrest reports. You can search court records through the Clerk's Office in Riverhead, file FOIL requests, or use state-level tools from the Division of Criminal Justice Services. This page lays out who to contact and how to get the records you are looking for.
Suffolk County Overview
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Records
The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office is at 100 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901. Phone is (631) 852-2200. The Sheriff's Office maintains incarceration records for people held at the Suffolk County Correctional Facilities. This is important to understand: the Sheriff's Office does not hold most police reports or arrest reports. For those, you need to contact the Suffolk County Police Department at (631) 862-6000.
To get incarceration records from the Sheriff, submit a written FOIL request to the Freedom of Information Officer at 100 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901. FOIL stands for Freedom of Information Law, set out in Article 6 of the Public Officers Law, sections 84 through 90. You must complete Section 1 of the official form online, print it, sign it, and mail it in. The office generally provides incarceration records but will direct you elsewhere for arrest reports from other agencies.
The Sheriff's Office also runs an online inmate lookup system. You can check current custody status, charges, and bail information. The system is live and reflects current data.
Note: For police reports, accident reports, or 911 transcripts, contact the Suffolk County Police Department directly at (631) 862-6000.
Suffolk County Court Records
The Suffolk County Clerk's Office is at 310 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901-2556. Phone is (631) 852-2000. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Criminal Division handles court records and certificates of disposition. The Clerk maintains records from Supreme Court and County Court cases, including felonies and major misdemeanors prosecuted in Suffolk County.
Certificates of disposition provide the final outcome of criminal cases. Submit a request with the defendant's name, date of birth, and case number if you have it. Copy fees are $0.25 per page under Public Officers Law section 87. Certified copies cost more. The office has public access terminals for searching records during business hours. Processing times for certificates run 5 to 10 business days.
Suffolk County is part of the 10th Judicial District. The County Court at 310 Center Drive handles felony criminal cases. There are also court locations in Hauppauge and Central Islip for different functions. The Office of Court Administration runs a Criminal History Record Search for $95 per name. It is a name-based search that needs an exact match on name and date of birth.
Check WebCrims for pending criminal cases in Suffolk County. Guest access is free. Only cases with future court dates are shown.
Suffolk County District Attorney
The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office is at 1375 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Phone is (631) 853-5600. The DA prosecutes all felony offenses and select misdemeanors in the county. The office has specialized bureaus for major crimes, economic crimes, domestic violence, and narcotics.
The Victim Services Unit can be reached at (631) 853-5600 ext. 2400. If you were a victim of a crime in Suffolk County, this unit helps with the court process and provides referrals. The office also runs a tip line for reporting crimes. Case information is generally available through the court system, but you can contact the appropriate bureau for specific case status questions.
State Resources for Suffolk County Records
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps the official state criminal history database. DCJS records are fingerprint-based. You can not get your own rap sheet without submitting fingerprints at an IdentoGO location. The fee is $50 to $65. Results come by mail in 7 to 10 business days. Third-party background sites do not have access to this database.
Under CPL section 160.50, dismissed cases are sealed automatically. The Clean Slate Act, effective November 16, 2024, seals eligible misdemeanor convictions after 3 years and felony convictions after 8 years from sentence completion. Sex offenses and Class A felonies are not eligible. Only the named person, authorized agencies, and certain employers with legal authority can access official DCJS records.
The DOCCS Inmate Lookup tool lets you search for people in state prison. If someone arrested in Suffolk County was sent to a state facility, this is where you check. The Sex Offender Registry is free to search by name, county, or ZIP code for Level 2 and Level 3 offenders.
FOIL Requests in Suffolk County
Freedom of Information Law gives the public a right to access government records. In Suffolk County, different agencies handle different types of records. The Sheriff's Office handles incarceration records. The Police Department handles arrest reports. The County Clerk handles court records. Each has its own Records Access Officer.
Put your request in writing. Be specific. Give names, dates, and case numbers. The agency has five business days to respond. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for standard copies. Some records are exempt from FOIL. Ongoing investigations, sealed cases, and material that would invade personal privacy are common reasons for denial. Under Public Officers Law section 89, the agency must explain any denial in writing.
Sealing and Expungement in Suffolk County
Arrests ending in dismissal or acquittal are sealed automatically under CPL section 160.50. No application is needed.
CPL section 160.59 lets you apply to seal up to two criminal convictions if at least 10 years have passed since your last sentence ended. No more than one can be a felony. Sex offenses, violent felonies, and Class A felonies are excluded. The application goes to the sentencing court. The NY Attorney General's office has details on the process.
Suffolk County Jail and Inmate Data
The Suffolk County Correctional Facility is at 100 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901. Call (631) 852-2200. The jail houses both male and female inmates. Visiting is by appointment only. You need a photo ID and must arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled visit. There is a strict dress code.
Mail to inmates must include the full name and booking number. Commissary orders go through an approved vendor. Family members can deposit funds online or by phone. The Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup showing current status, charges, and bail. If someone has been moved to state prison, use the DOCCS lookup instead.
The Suffolk County Sheriff's online portal shown above is one way to access records and inmate information for people held in the county jail system.
Suffolk County also provides online access to land records and other county documents through the portal shown above.
Nearby Counties
Suffolk County shares Long Island with Nassau County. For arrest records from adjacent areas:
Cities and Towns in Suffolk County
Suffolk County contains several large towns. The following have their own pages with local arrest record information: