Yates County Arrest Records
Yates County arrest records are on file at the Sheriff's Office and the County Clerk's office in Penn Yan. This small county sits in the Finger Lakes region of western New York. If you need to look up an arrest record or find a criminal case in Yates County, you can submit a FOIL request to the Sheriff's Office, search court records through the clerk, or check state databases like WebCrims. The Sheriff handles law enforcement across the county and keeps arrest reports and booking data on file.
Yates County Overview
Yates County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Yates County Sheriff's Office is at 227 Main Street in Penn Yan, NY 14527. The phone number is (315) 536-5175. The office provides law enforcement, civil process, court security, and runs the county jail at the same address. All arrest records for incidents handled by the Sheriff's Office are kept on file here.
To get arrest records, submit a written FOIL request to the Records Access Officer. Spell out exactly what records you want. Include names, dates, and any incident numbers you have. The office must respond within five business days under Public Officers Law Sections 84 through 90. Copy fees are $0.25 per page. There is no charge to inspect records in person. If your request is denied, you have 30 days to file an appeal.
The jail holds both pretrial detainees and people serving sentences of one year or less. Contact the Sheriff's Office for current inmate information, visiting hours, and bail details.
Court Records in Yates County
The Yates County Clerk is Molly Linehan. The office is at the Yates County Office Building, 417 Liberty Street, Suite 1107, Penn Yan, NY 14527. Call (315) 536-5120. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The clerk maintains Supreme Court and County Court records, along with land records, business certificates, and other official county documents.
Criminal court records tied to arrests are available through the clerk's office. You can request certificates of disposition, case file copies, and other documents. The Yates County Court building is at 415 Liberty Street. The Surrogate's Court, handling estate matters, is at the same address. For criminal case info, contact the County Clerk with the defendant's name and case number if you have it.
Note: The County Clerk is open 9 AM to 4 PM, which is earlier than many other New York county offices.
Yates County Arrest Records and FOIL
New York's Freedom of Information Law gives you the right to request government records. This includes arrest reports, incident files, and booking data held by the Yates County Sheriff's Office. You can also use FOIL to request records from the District Attorney's Office at 417 Liberty Street, phone (315) 536-5125.
The DA prosecutes felonies and select misdemeanors in Yates County. They work with the Sheriff's Office, State Police, and local departments. Victim services are available for people affected by crime. Case status questions can be directed to the DA during business hours.
Arrest Record Laws Affecting Yates County
Under CPL Section 160.50, arrests that end in dismissal or acquittal get sealed automatically. You will not find those records through FOIL or court searches. The Clean Slate Act, effective November 2024, will seal eligible misdemeanor convictions after three years and felony convictions after eight years from the end of the sentence. Sex offenses and Class A felonies cannot be sealed.
CPL Section 160.59 lets people apply to seal certain convictions if they have no more than two total and no more than one felony. At least 10 years must pass since the last sentence or release. The Attorney General's website explains the full rules. Marijuana convictions under Penal Law Sections 221.05 through 221.40 are now expunged under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act.
The DCJS keeps the official state criminal history record. It requires fingerprints through IdentoGO and costs $50 to $65. The Sex Offender Registry is free and searchable online. The Yates County Sheriff also has local sex offender information.
Statewide Search Options
The CHRS from the Office of Court Administration runs $95 per search. It covers open cases and convictions from all 62 counties using an exact name and date of birth match. The DOCCS Inmate Lookup is free and shows people in state prison with real-time data.
For pending criminal cases with future court dates, WebCrims lets you search by name or docket number as a guest. It covers selected courts across the state. Sealed and closed cases do not appear.
Yates County Record Request Process
The key offices for arrest records in Yates County are close together in Penn Yan. The Sheriff is at 227 Main Street. The County Clerk and DA are both on Liberty Street. If you plan to visit in person, you can reach all three locations on foot. Bring a photo ID. Street parking is available near the courthouse.
Mail requests are also fine. Put your FOIL request in writing and send it to the office that has what you need. The Sheriff handles arrest reports and booking data. The Clerk keeps court records from Supreme Court and County Court. The DA has prosecution files. Each office has its own Records Access Officer and a five-business-day response window. Copies are $0.25 per page. Inspecting records on site costs nothing. If a request gets denied, the office must explain in writing. You have 30 days to file an appeal under Public Officers Law section 89.
Yates County is one of the smallest counties in New York. The population is under 25,000. That means a smaller volume of cases and fewer staff. Response times can vary. The County Clerk closes at 4:00 PM, which is earlier than most other counties in the state. Plan your visit accordingly. The Clerk also processes passports, land records, and business certificates if you need to handle other business while you are there.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Yates County in the Finger Lakes area.