The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) reports over 231,000 adult arrests statewide annually, including approximately 1,600 in Putnam County. Under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), the public has the right to request and obtain copies of government records, including arrest reports. State law allows agencies to charge a fee of $0.25 per page for photocopies of records up to 9 by 14 inches. However, some agencies may offer electronic access, which may reduce costs.
Access to certain records may be restricted due to confidentiality, particularly those involving juveniles, domestic or sexual assault, ongoing investigations, or sealed records. However, authorized individuals such as law enforcement officers, judicial officials, the Putnam County District Attorney's Office, subjects of the records, and their legal representatives may be granted access.
Putnam County arrest records are available through several agencies, including the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
The Sheriff's Office manages the county correctional facility and maintains custody records of incarcerated individuals. To obtain these records, interested persons may contact the office directly at:
3 County Center
Carmel, NY 10512
Phone: (845) 225-4300
In Putnam County, local police departments maintain arrest records within their jurisdictions. Residents may request access to these records by contacting the appropriate agencies directly. Many departments facilitate the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request process by offering online platforms for submitting requests or accessing records. Major police departments in the county include the following:
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains official criminal history records for the state. Individuals seeking records may complete their request by submitting fingerprints through authorized providers. This process ensures accurate matching to existing records. For further assistance, individuals may contact the DCJS Records Review Unit at:
4 Tower Place
Albany, NY 12203-3764
Phone: (518) 457-9847
In addition, the New York Office of Court Administration (OCA) offers a statewide Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) for a fee of $95. This search matches an individual's name and date of birth, displaying pending and conviction records from criminal cases statewide, including Putnam County courts. Requests may be submitted online via the Direct Access application for electronic requests or by mailing a CHRS application form to the Office of Court Administration at:
25 Beaver Street
New York, NY 10004
Phone: (800) 268-7869
The Clerk's Office provides access to public records, including court documents. Requesters may access court case records by visiting the County Court at:
40 Gleneida Avenue
Carmel, NY 10512
Phone: (845) 808-1142
Individuals seeking records under FOIL may submit requests in writing or through the Online Application for Public Access to Records Form. Fees may be charged for reproducing records, typically set at $0.25 per page. Additional fees may apply for electronic records or extensive searches. Payment is generally required before the release of records.
Alternatively, the New York State Unified Court System offers an Electronic Case Search tool for accessing civil and criminal case information across the state, including Putnam County. Users may search by case identifier, index number, party name, or attorney information. In addition, reliable third-party websites like InfoTracer provide access to Putnam County arrest records with several search features.
Putnam County has a crime rate of 1,653 per 100,000 residents. Below are some arrest figures recorded during this period:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Property Crime Total | 474 |
| Rape | 15 |
| Aggravated Assault | 42 |
| Larceny | 404 |
| Burglary | 37 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 33 |
| Violent Crime | 64 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 1,620 |
Source: New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)