Criminal records in St. Lawrence County, New York, are available through several channels. StLawrenceCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, the state's official court systems, the County Clerk's office, and law enforcement agencies, including the Sheriff's office, provide access to criminal records. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and obtaining these documents.
How to Search Criminal Records in St. Lawrence
There are several methods to search for criminal records in St. Lawrence County — online, in person, and by mail.
Online Search
- StLawrenceCourt.us — enter the full name of the person or case number to find publicly available information about the county's criminal court cases.
- New York State Courts Portal (WebCivil Supreme) — the state's Unified Court System allows searching for Supreme Court and County Court cases online. You need to specify the party's name or the case index number for the search.
- Warrant Page — the Sheriff's office publishes a list of individuals with warrants issued against them. This is not a complete database of criminal records but a useful tool for checking active warrants.
- DOCCS Inmate Lookup — the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision maintains a database of individuals serving sentences in state prisons, including conviction information.
- NY DCJS — Criminal History Record Check — the Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains official state criminal history records. Individuals can request their own criminal history through this service.
In-Person Visit
The St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office handles Supreme Court and County Court cases. Records of felony convictions are kept here. You can visit the office and request a search for criminal records in person.
St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office
Starting June 1, 2024, requests for searches of criminal or civil cases must use a special form available on the County Clerk's court records page.
Mail Request
A written request can be sent to the County Clerk's office at the address above. Include:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if available)
- Payment of applicable fees (check or money order)
To obtain an official state-level criminal history, the request should be directed to the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services. You can also use the Open FOIL NY portal for public records requests from state agencies.
Search St. Lawrence Criminal Cases by Case Number
Criminal case numbers in New York have a standardized format. Understanding the structure will help you find the case you need more quickly.
The typical format of a case number in County Court or Supreme Court:
- County or Court Prefix — indicates jurisdiction (e.g., abbreviation for St. Lawrence County).
- Year — the year the case was opened (e.g., 2024).
- Sequential Number — a unique sequential number assigned to the case within the year.
For example, an index number may look like a combination of the county code, year, and sequential number. If you have the exact case number, searching through the state courts portal or StLawrenceCourt.us will be the fastest way to find details. Without a case number, the search is conducted by the defendant's name — in this case, you need the full name and preferably the date of birth to narrow down the results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in St. Lawrence
Charges
| Item | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a section of New York Penal Law (e.g., PL 155.25 — petty larceny) |
| Severity Level | Felony, Misdemeanor, Violation |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during the case — the new charge replaces the initial one in the records |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — the case is under court consideration
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — the case is fully completed, and all obligations have been fulfilled
Hearings
A criminal case typically goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first appearance of the defendant before a judge, charges are announced, and bail is set
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge assesses whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (mainly applies to felonies)
- Pre-Trial Conference — the parties discuss the possibility of a plea deal or prepare for trial
- Trial — the court hearing on the merits
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty verdict
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by court verdict or plea agreement |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after trial |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict — for various procedural reasons |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after reviewing the evidence |
| Adjourned in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD) | The case is adjourned; if the defendant does not break the law during a set period, the case is automatically closed |
In New York, records of youthful offenders are confidential and do not appear in public searches.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in St. Lawrence
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with a seal and signature of an authorized person. They are required for employment, licensing, or court proceedings.
Where to Apply
Records of felonies processed through the Supreme Court or County Court are kept by the St. Lawrence County Clerk. To obtain a complete state-level criminal history, you need to contact the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the County Clerk's office with valid photo identification. Fill out a criminal records search request form.
- By Mail — send the completed request form, a copy of your ID, and payment to the Clerk's office.
- Request through DCJS — individuals can request their own criminal history by submitting an application and fingerprints through an authorized agency.
What is Needed for the Request
- Completed request form (available at the Clerk's office or on the court records page)
- Valid photo identification
- Payment of established fees
St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in St. Lawrence
Fees are set by the state of New York and may change. The current fee schedule is published on the County Clerk's fees page.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (first page) | $0.65 |
| Each additional page | $0.65 |
| Document certification | $1.25 per certification |
| Criminal records search (by name) | $5.00 for every two years searched |
| Criminal history check through DCJS (own) | Set separately by DCJS |
Processing Time
Requests submitted in person are usually processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the search volume. Mail requests may take one to three weeks. State-level requests through DCJS, which require fingerprinting, often take several weeks.
Payment is accepted by check or money order payable to St. Lawrence County Clerk. Confirm acceptable payment methods before visiting or sending a request by calling 315-379-2272.