Criminal records in Sullivan County, New York, are available through several channels. Publicly accessible information about criminal cases can be found on the SullivanNYCourt.us website. Additionally, records are maintained by the state's official court systems, the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, and the County Clerk's Office, which holds hundreds of thousands of legal documents and public records related to criminal and civil cases.
How to Search Criminal Records in Sullivan
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Sullivan County. Below are step-by-step instructions for each method.
Through SullivanNYCourt.us
- Go to SullivanNYCourt.us.
- Enter the person's full name (last name and first name) or case number.
- Review the search results for available information on criminal cases.
Online through State and County Resources
- Inmate Search in State Correctional Facilities: The DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup system can be used to find individuals who are or were in New York State correctional facilities. A last name or DIN/NYSID identifier is required for the search.
- Local Jail Search: The State Commission of Correction provides links to search for inmates in county jails and New York City jails.
- NY.gov: The Find an Incarcerated Individual portal allows real-time searches for current and some former inmates.
- Criminal History: The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) processes requests for criminal history checks, including fingerprinting.
- Wanted Persons: The New York State Police publishes lists of wanted persons with arrest warrants.
In Person
Visit the Sullivan County Clerk's Office in Monticello. You can request to view criminal cases, which are public records, on-site. Bring a photo ID.
By Mail or Written Request
Send a written request to the County Clerk's Office or to DCJS. Include:
- The person's full name (last name and first name)
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if available)
- Your name, contact information, and reason for the request
Search Sullivan Criminal Cases by Case Number
A criminal case number in New York State is a unique identifier assigned when the case is filed in court. The format typically includes several elements:
- Court or County Code — letters or numbers indicating the specific court (e.g., Sullivan County Court).
- Year of Filing — two or four digits indicating the year the case was registered.
- Sequential Number — a consecutive number of the case within that court for the respective year.
- Case Type — sometimes a letter code indicating the category (criminal, civil, etc.) is added.
If you have the full case number, enter it without spaces and extra symbols. This is the fastest way to find a specific case, as a name search may return multiple results, while a case number always points to a single record.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Sullivan
Each criminal case in Sullivan County contains several key elements. Here's what they mean in practice.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the New York State Penal Law under which the charges are brought |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, Violation — each category has different consequences |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the original charge to a lesser or more severe one during the case proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is awaiting a hearing, no decision has been made yet.
- Active — the case is in active proceedings.
- Disposed — the case has been concluded, a decision has been made.
- Closed — all procedures have been completed, the case is closed.
Hearings
| Hearing Type | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Arraignment | The first court appearance where the accused is informed of the charges and bail is set |
| Preliminary Hearing | The judge assesses whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the case |
| Pre-Trial | The parties discuss procedural issues, possible agreements |
| Sentencing | The judge announces the sentence after a guilty plea or conviction |
| Review | Review of compliance with the terms of the sentence or probation |
Court Results
- Guilty — found guilty.
- Not Guilty — found not guilty.
- Dismissed — the case is closed without a verdict.
- Acquitted — acquitted as a result of the trial.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Sullivan
Certified copies of criminal records are needed for official purposes — employment, immigration, licensing. In Sullivan County, they can be obtained through several institutions.
Sullivan County Clerk's Office
The County Clerk maintains records of criminal cases heard in Sullivan County Court. Requests can be made in person or by mail.
What is needed for the request:
- Completed request form (ask the clerk or download from the official website)
- Photo ID (driver's license, passport)
- Case number or full name and date of birth of the person
- Payment of applicable fees
Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
To obtain a complete criminal history at the state level, a request must be submitted through DCJS. This process involves fingerprinting and application submission. Individuals have the right to request their own criminal history under Article 845 Executive Law.
Sheriff's Office
For information about individuals held in the Sullivan County Jail, contact the Sheriff's Office.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Sullivan
Fees for criminal records in Sullivan County are determined according to New York State law (specifically, CPLR § 8019 and County Law). Below are approximate rates.
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Document Copy (per page) | $0.65 | According to CPLR § 8019 for the first four pages; $0.25 for each subsequent page |
| Document Certification | $1.25 | Per certification (County Law § 525) |
| Document Comparison with Original | $1.25 | Per comparison |
| Criminal History Check through DCJS (fingerprints) | Depends on request type | Contact DCJS directly; the fee usually starts at $75 and above |
Processing Time
- In Person: simple copies are usually issued the same day or within one to two business days.
- By Mail: processing takes from 5 to 15 business days, depending on the volume of the request.
- Through DCJS: a criminal history check with fingerprints can take from two to six weeks.
Please note: fees may change. Before submitting a request, confirm the current rates directly with the Sullivan County Clerk's Office.