Franklin County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Franklin County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Franklin County, New York, may access publicly available information through official government repositories, court systems, and aggregator platforms such as FranklinNYRecords.org. Criminal records maintained by county and state agencies may include, but are not limited to, the following categories:
- Arrest records and booking information
- Court case filings, dispositions, and sentencing records
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction histories
- Active and recalled warrants
- Sex offender registration status
- Incarceration and supervision records
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary channels through which members of the public may obtain criminal record information in Franklin County.
1. County Court Records: The Franklin County Court handles felony matters, while the Franklin County Court Clerk maintains case files, dispositions, and related documents. Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the courthouse. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for staff-assisted requests. Public access terminals are available during business hours for self-service case lookups.
Franklin County Court
355 West Main Street
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 481-1667
New York State Courts – Franklin County
2. Sheriff's Office: The Franklin County Sheriff's Department maintains arrest logs, booking records, and jail inmate information. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's administration office. Fees may apply for copies of records.
Franklin County Sheriff's Department
45 Bare Hill Road
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 483-3304 (Administration) | (518) 483-6795 (Booking)
3. Online Court Search: The New York State Unified Court System provides the eCourts Case Search portal, which allows members of the public to search civil and criminal case information by party name, case number, or attorney. Users should enter the full legal name of the subject and select Franklin County as the jurisdiction. Note that not all case types or historical records are available through this portal.
4. State Criminal History Repository: The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) serves as the state's central repository for criminal history records. Individuals seeking their own criminal history or authorized entities requesting third-party records must submit fingerprints and a completed application. Processing times and fees vary by request type. The standard fee for a criminal history record check is $95.00 for non-criminal justice purposes.
5. Written/Mail Requests: Written requests for court records may be directed to the Franklin County Clerk's Office. Requests must include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under New York Public Officers Law § 89, agencies are required to respond to written requests within five business days of receipt.
Franklin County Clerk's Office
P.O. Box 70, 355 West Main Street, Suite 248
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 481-1681
What Is Franklin County Criminal Records
A criminal record is a documented history of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, convictions, and post-conviction supervision. Under New York law, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the criminal justice process, from initial law enforcement contact through final disposition and any subsequent supervision.
The distinction between record types is significant for purposes of public access and legal consequence:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt or a finding of criminal liability. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt, whether by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification of offense under New York Penal Law and carry potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties but are nonetheless part of an individual's permanent criminal history.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juvenile delinquents are sealed by operation of law and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest and are maintained in law enforcement databases. Historical records document past arrests and dispositions regardless of warrant status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Franklin County include the Franklin County Sheriff's Department (arrest and jail records), the Franklin County Court and local criminal courts (case files and dispositions), the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments. Records are created at the point of arrest, updated through each stage of prosecution, and finalized upon sentencing or dismissal. A complete record may include charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing terms, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Franklin County
Criminal records in Franklin County are subject to public disclosure under New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified at New York Public Officers Law § 84 et seq. The statute establishes a presumption of openness, providing that "all government records are available to the public unless specifically exempted." Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are accessible to members of the public as a matter of law.
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure or subject to restricted access:
- Sealed records pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, which provides for the sealing of records upon acquittal, dismissal, or other favorable termination of a criminal action
- Expunged records, where applicable under state law
- Juvenile delinquency records, which are sealed by statute
- Ongoing investigation files where disclosure would interfere with law enforcement
- Victim and witness identifying information protected under applicable privacy statutes
Federal criminal records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to New York's FOIL provisions. The New York State Committee on Open Government provides guidance on the application of FOIL to criminal justice records and may be consulted for advisory opinions on specific access questions.
How To Find Criminal Records in Franklin County Online
Official County Resources: The Franklin County Clerk's online document search allows members of the public to access County Clerk records remotely. The portal contains recorded documents, court indices, and related filings. Users may search by name, document type, or date range. No registration is required for basic searches, though account creation may be necessary to view full document images.
State-Level Resources: The New York State Unified Court System's eCourts portal provides statewide case search functionality. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains the state's criminal history repository and provides background check services for authorized requestors. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision operates an incarcerated individual lookup tool, which allows members of the public to search for individuals currently or previously incarcerated in state correctional facilities.
Search Tips:
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results when the number is known
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all record types
- Be aware that records predating digital conversion may not appear in online searches
- Sealed or expunged records will not appear in public-facing search tools
Limitations: Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating the mid-1990s may not be digitized and require in-person or written requests. Online searches do not constitute an official background check and are not a substitute for a certified criminal history report from DCJS.
Can You Search Franklin County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options:
1. In-Person Inspection: New York Public Officers Law mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Copying fees may apply for reproductions. In-person inspection is available at the Franklin County Clerk's Office and the Franklin County Court during regular business hours.
2. Free Online Databases: The following portals provide free access to criminal record information:
- Franklin County Clerk online records search – court indices and recorded documents
- New York State eCourts case search – civil and criminal case information
- DOCCS incarcerated individual lookup – state correctional facility records
3. Sheriff's Logs: The Franklin County Sheriff's Department maintains arrest and booking records. Members of the public may request access to daily arrest logs subject to applicable FOIL provisions.
What Costs Money:
| Record Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $5.00–$10.00 per document |
| Official DCJS background check | $95.00 |
| Staff-assisted FOIL search | Variable |
| Certified copy of conviction record | $5.00 per page |
State Fee Law: Under New York Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b), agencies may charge up to $0.25 per page for photocopies of records. Fees for electronic copies and certified documents are set by individual agencies. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the responding agency.
What's Included in a Franklin County Criminal Record
Identifying Information: A criminal record contains the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), photograph (mugshot), last known address, New York State Identification (NYSID) number, and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information: Arrest records include the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the name of the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information: Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges as formally filed (including felony or misdemeanor classification and applicable Penal Law sections), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition: Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing information (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements: A complete criminal record may also include active warrants, protective or restraining orders, sex offender registration status as maintained by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, DWI/DUI adjudications, and pending charges.
NOT Included in a Public Criminal Record:
- Juvenile delinquency adjudications (sealed by statute)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Charges resolved through completed diversion programs where sealing has been ordered
Accuracy Note: Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may submit a correction request to the originating agency or to DCJS. Inaccurate records can have significant consequences for employment, housing, and licensing, and prompt correction is advisable upon discovery of any discrepancy.
How Long Does Franklin County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements: New York State establishes records retention schedules through the State Archives and Records Administration. Local government agencies, including county courts and sheriff's offices, are required to adhere to the New York State Local Government Records Law when determining retention periods.
Retention by Record Type:
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Minimum 3 years; varies by agency |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Retained with disposition noted |
| Juvenile records | Sealed; destroyed per statutory schedule |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences: County courts retain case files on a permanent basis in accordance with state court records retention rules. The Franklin County Sheriff's Department retains jail and booking records for periods established by the state retention schedule. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records: Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper documents may be destroyed following scanning and digital preservation, provided the electronic copy meets archival standards.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement: Destruction refers to the physical or digital elimination of a record. Sealing, available under New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 and related provisions, restricts public access to a record without eliminating it; sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement and certain authorized agencies. Expungement, which results in the legal elimination of a record, is available in limited circumstances under New York law, including for certain marijuana-related offenses pursuant to the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act.
Old Records Access: Records predating digital conversion may require special written requests and may be held in state archives. Members of the public seeking pre-digital records should direct requests to the Franklin County Clerk's Office or the New York State Archives.
Federal Records: Criminal records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation are subject to separate federal retention rules and are not affected by state sealing or expungement orders. Federal records are maintained independently of county and state systems.
Practical Implications: Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain part of an individual's permanent criminal history and will appear on background checks conducted for employment, housing, or professional licensing purposes. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of certain records to seven years for positions below a specified salary threshold, though no such limitation applies to positions above that threshold or to professional licensing inquiries.
"Even if county agencies destroy physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the records have been legally expunged or sealed pursuant to a court order."