Nassau Public Records / Nassau County Arrest Records

Nassau County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Nassau County

Arrest records in Nassau County are considered public information under the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law § 87. This statute establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. However, access to these records is subject to certain limitations and exemptions.

The distinction between arrest records and conviction records is significant under New York law. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement on suspicion of criminal activity, while a conviction record indicates that the individual was found guilty of a crime through legal proceedings. Pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records of arrests that did not result in convictions may be sealed from public view under specific circumstances.

The Nassau County Police Department maintains arrest records in accordance with state regulations and departmental policies. These records typically become available to the public after the initial processing of the arrest has been completed, though certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy as permitted by FOIL exemptions.

Members of the public seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while these records are generally public, the release of information may be restricted if disclosure would:

Interfere with law enforcement investigations
Deprive a person of the right to a fair trial
Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Reveal confidential source information
Endanger the life or safety of any person

What's in Nassau County Arrest Records

Nassau County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records are maintained in accordance with New York Executive Law § 837, which establishes standards for criminal justice information systems. The contents typically include:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Fingerprints and, in some cases, DNA samples
Home address at time of arrest
Identification numbers (state ID, FBI number if applicable)

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer information
Circumstances leading to the arrest
Whether the arrest was made pursuant to a warrant or probable cause

Charge Information:

Criminal offenses charged (including statute numbers)
Classification of charges (felony, misdemeanor, violation)
Description of alleged criminal activity
Weapon or controlled substance information (if applicable)

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number and issuing court
Date of issuance
Judge who signed the warrant
Basis for the warrant

Booking Information:

Date and time of booking
Facility where booking occurred
Property inventory taken during booking
Medical screening information

Bond/Bail Information:

Bail amount set
Whether bail was posted
Type of bail (cash, bond, release on recognizance)
Bail conditions imposed

Court Information:

Initial appearance date
Court of jurisdiction
Case/docket number
Assigned judge

Custody Status:

Whether detained or released
If detained, location of incarceration
Release date if applicable

Additional Information May Include:

Prior criminal history references
Probation or parole status at time of arrest
Immigration status notifications
Special custody considerations
Victim information (often redacted in public versions)
Witness statements (often redacted in public versions)

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Nassau County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Nassau County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The process is governed by the New York Freedom of Information Law and county procedures currently in effect.

To request arrest records in person:

Nassau County Police Department Records Bureau
1490 Franklin Avenue
Mineola, NY 11501
(516) 573-7100
Nassau County Police Department

Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM, excluding holidays.

The procedure for obtaining arrest records includes:

Complete the official FOIL request form, available at the Records Bureau or downloadable from the Nassau County Police Department website.
Provide specific information about the record being requested, including:
- Full name of the individual
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case number (if known)
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable fees:
- $15.00 for a basic criminal history check
- $0.25 per page for photocopies of reports
- Additional fees may apply for certified copies

Alternatively, written requests may be submitted by mail to the address above, with payment by check or money order made payable to "Nassau County Police Department."

For electronic requests, individuals may submit FOIL requests through the Nassau County FOIL Portal. This system allows for tracking of request status and electronic delivery of documents when available.

Processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload, typically ranging from 5 to 20 business days. The department may extend this timeframe if the request requires extensive search or review, pursuant to Public Officers Law § 89(3).

How To Find Nassau County Arrest Records Online

Nassau County provides limited online access to arrest records through several official channels. The digital availability of these records enhances public accessibility while maintaining compliance with state privacy laws.

The primary online resources for arrest record information include:

Nassau County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup System
This database provides information on currently incarcerated individuals and those recently released from Nassau County correctional facilities. The system is accessible through the Nassau County Sheriff's Department website and includes:
- Inmate name and booking number
- Current charges
- Custody status
- Scheduled court dates
- Expected release date (when applicable)
Nassau County Court Case Information System
The New York State Unified Court System maintains an electronic database of court cases, including criminal proceedings. Users may search by:
- Defendant name
- Case number
- Court location
- Case type
- Filing date range
New York State WebCriminal System
This system provides authorized users with access to criminal case information from courts throughout New York State, including Nassau County. Registration is required, and certain access restrictions apply based on user credentials.

To conduct an online search:

Navigate to the appropriate database website
Create an account if required (some systems allow guest access)
Enter search criteria in the designated fields
Review the results list for relevant records
Select specific cases to view detailed information

Online systems typically do not provide complete arrest reports or supporting documentation. These records generally must be requested through the formal FOIL process described in the previous section.

How To Search Nassau County Arrest Records for Free?

Nassau County residents and other interested parties may access certain arrest record information without payment through several public resources. These no-cost options provide basic information while maintaining compliance with New York's public records laws.

Free resources for arrest record information include:

Nassau County Jail Inmate Lookup
The Nassau County Sheriff's Department maintains a publicly accessible database of current inmates. This resource is available at no cost through the Sheriff's Department website and provides basic information about individuals currently in custody.
Public Access Court Terminals
The Nassau County Court provides computer terminals for public use at:

Nassau County Supreme Court
100 Supreme Court Drive
Mineola, NY 11501
(516) 493-3200
Nassau County Courts

These terminals offer free access to court records, including criminal cases resulting from arrests. Available during regular court hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Nassau County District Attorney's Press Releases
The Nassau County District Attorney's Office regularly publishes information about significant arrests and case outcomes. These press releases are freely available on their website and often contain details about major criminal cases.
New York State Sex Offender Registry
Information about registered sex offenders residing in Nassau County is available through the New York State Sex Offender Registry. This database is maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services and provides free public access to information about Level 2 (moderate risk) and Level 3 (high risk) offenders.

When using these free resources, members of the public should note:

Information may be limited compared to official records obtained through FOIL requests
Some databases are updated periodically rather than in real-time
Certain case details may be redacted or omitted in accordance with privacy laws
Historical records may not be available through these systems

How To Delete Arrest Records in Nassau County

New York State law provides mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. These processes are governed primarily by Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59 and related statutes.

The distinction between record sealing and expungement is significant:

Record Sealing: Restricts public access to arrest and conviction records but does not completely destroy them. Sealed records remain accessible to certain government agencies and under specific circumstances authorized by law.
Expungement: Involves the complete destruction of records, effectively erasing the arrest from official records. New York law provides limited circumstances where true expungement is available.

Eligibility for record sealing in Nassau County typically requires one of the following conditions:

The arrest did not result in a conviction (case was dismissed, acquitted, declined for prosecution)
The conviction was for certain non-violent offenses, and at least 10 years have passed since the sentence completion
The conviction was for specific marijuana offenses that have been decriminalized under recent legislation
The conviction resulted from human trafficking victimization
The conviction occurred when the individual was a youthful offender or juvenile delinquent

The process for sealing records in Nassau County involves:

Obtaining a Certificate of Disposition from the court where the case was handled
Completing the Application for Sealing form (available from the New York State Unified Court System)
Filing the application with the court that handled the original case
Serving copies of the application on the Nassau County District Attorney's Office
Attending a hearing if scheduled by the court
Receiving the court's decision on the application

For marijuana-related convictions eligible for automatic expungement under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, individuals may not need to take action, as the law mandates automatic expungement of qualifying offenses.

Individuals seeking to seal or expunge records may benefit from legal assistance, as the process involves complex statutory requirements and procedural rules.

What Happens After Arrest in Nassau County?

Following an arrest in Nassau County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by New York State law. This process includes several key stages that determine how a case proceeds through the system.

The post-arrest procedure typically follows this sequence:

Booking and Processing After physical arrest, individuals are transported to a police precinct or the Nassau County Correctional Facility for booking. This process includes:
- Fingerprinting and photographing
- Collection of personal information
- Property inventory
- Criminal history check
- Medical screening
Arraignment Within 24 hours of arrest, defendants appear before a judge for arraignment, where:
- Charges are formally presented
- Constitutional rights are explained
- Legal representation is arranged if needed
- Bail or release decisions are made
- Temporary orders of protection may be issued if applicable
Bail Determination Pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 510.10, the court determines whether to:
- Release the defendant on their own recognizance
- Set cash bail or bond requirements
- Order supervised release
- Remand the defendant to custody without bail (for certain serious offenses)
Preliminary Hearing For felony cases where the defendant is in custody, a preliminary hearing may be held within 120 hours (or 144 hours if arrest occurred on weekend/holiday) to determine if sufficient evidence exists to continue detention.
Grand Jury Proceedings Felony cases proceed to a grand jury, which:
- Hears evidence presented by the Nassau County District Attorney's Office
- Determines whether sufficient evidence exists to issue an indictment
- May return a "true bill" (indictment) or "no bill" (dismissal)
Formal Charging Cases proceed with either:
- An indictment for felonies after grand jury action
- A prosecutor's information for misdemeanors
- A simplified information for violations
Discovery Process Under New York's reformed discovery laws, prosecutors must disclose evidence to the defense within specific timeframes, including:
- Police reports and witness statements
- Scientific test results
- Surveillance materials
- Exculpatory evidence
Plea Negotiations Most cases are resolved through plea negotiations, where:
- The prosecutor may offer reduced charges or sentencing recommendations
- The defendant may agree to plead guilty in exchange for concessions
- The court must approve any plea agreement
Trial If no plea agreement is reached, the case proceeds to trial:
- Misdemeanor trials occur in District Court
- Felony trials take place in County Court
- Defendants have the right to a jury trial for most offenses
- The prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
Sentencing Following conviction (by plea or trial verdict):
- A pre-sentence investigation may be conducted
- Victims may provide impact statements
- The judge imposes sentence according to New York Penal Law guidelines
- Sentences may include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, or community service
Appeals Defendants have the right to appeal convictions to the Appellate Division, Second Department, challenging legal errors or constitutional violations that occurred during proceedings.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Nassau County?

Arrest records in Nassau County are maintained according to retention schedules established by the New York State Archives Records Retention and Disposition Schedule LGS-1, pursuant to Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 57.25. These schedules mandate minimum retention periods for various types of law enforcement records.

The standard retention periods for arrest-related records include:

Arrest Reports: Maintained permanently by the arresting agency
Booking Information: Retained for a minimum of 10 years after the arrest date
Fingerprint Cards: Maintained permanently by the Nassau County Police Department and forwarded to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
Mugshot Photographs: Retained for a minimum of 10 years after the arrest date
Investigation Files: Maintained for a minimum of 7 years after case closure for misdemeanors and permanently for felonies
Incident Reports: Retained for a minimum of 5 years after the incident date

Different agencies within Nassau County's criminal justice system maintain separate record systems with varying retention requirements:

Nassau County Police Department Maintains arrest records according to departmental policies and state requirements, with most records kept for a minimum of 10 years.
Nassau County Sheriff's Department Retains booking and custody records for a minimum of 10 years after the individual's release from custody.
Nassau County District Attorney's Office Maintains case files according to the following schedule:
- Felony cases: Permanently
- Misdemeanor cases: 10 years after case disposition
- Violations and infractions: 5 years after case disposition
Nassau County Courts Court records, including arraignments, hearings, and trial transcripts, are generally maintained permanently in accordance with judicial record retention policies.

Records retention serves several important public purposes:

Preserves evidence for potential future legal proceedings
Maintains documentation for background checks and security clearances
Provides statistical data for crime analysis and policy development
Ensures accountability of law enforcement agencies
Protects the rights of both the accused and victims

Even after the minimum retention period has expired, many records are archived rather than destroyed, particularly for serious offenses. Digital conversion has expanded storage capabilities, allowing longer retention of electronic records.

How to Find Mugshots in Nassau County

Mugshot photographs, officially known as booking photographs, are created during the arrest booking process in Nassau County. These images serve as official documentation of an individual's appearance at the time of arrest and become part of the arrest record.

What Mugshots Are Mugshots typically consist of two images: a front-facing (portrait) photograph and a profile (side) view of the arrested individual. These photographs are taken under controlled conditions with standardized lighting and background. The images may include a placard displaying the arrestee's name, booking number, and date of arrest.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained In Nassau County, booking photographs are primarily maintained by:

Nassau County Sheriff's Department
100 Carman Avenue
East Meadow, NY 11554
(516) 572-3000
Nassau County Sheriff's Department

Nassau County Police Department Records Bureau
1490 Franklin Avenue
Mineola, NY 11501
(516) 573-7100
Nassau County Police Department

Finding Mugshots To obtain official copies of booking photographs, individuals must submit a formal request under the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). The request should:

Be submitted in writing to the appropriate agency
Include the full name of the subject
Provide the approximate date of arrest
Include case or booking numbers if available
Specify that booking photographs are being requested
Include contact information for response

Can They Be Found Online Nassau County law enforcement agencies do not maintain a public online database of booking photographs. Unlike some jurisdictions, Nassau County does not routinely publish mugshots on official websites. However, certain third-party websites may publish booking photographs obtained through various means. The accuracy and legality of these third-party publications vary significantly.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially The official process for obtaining booking photographs requires:

Submitting a FOIL request to the agency that conducted the booking
Paying applicable fees (typically $15-25 per photograph)
Providing proper identification
Waiting for processing (typically 5-20 business days)

Restrictions on Mugshot Access Access to booking photographs may be restricted under certain circumstances, including:

Cases involving youthful offenders (under 18)
Sealed records pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law
Active investigations where release could impair proceedings
Cases where charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
Situations where release would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy

New York State has enacted legislation limiting the commercial use of booking photographs, particularly by websites that charge fees for removal of mugshots. Pursuant to General Business Law § 380-s, businesses are prohibited from charging fees to remove booking photographs from public websites.

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