Nassau County Public Records / Nassau County Arrest Records

Nassau County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Nassau County

Arrest records in Nassau County, New York, are generally considered public records under state law, though access is subject to specific statutory limitations. Pursuant to New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified at Public Officers Law § 87, members of the public may request access to government-held records, including certain law enforcement documents. However, not all arrest-related information is automatically available — agencies may withhold records that could interfere with ongoing investigations, endanger individuals, or identify confidential sources.

An important legal distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement; it does not indicate guilt or a criminal conviction. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt following a trial or guilty plea. Under New York law, individuals who are arrested but not convicted retain certain privacy protections, and agencies are directed to exercise discretion when disclosing arrest information that did not result in prosecution or conviction.

The Nassau County Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains statewide criminal history repositories accessible to authorized entities.

What's in Nassau County Arrest Records

Nassau County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and updated as a case progresses through the criminal justice system.

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Race and gender
Last known residential address
Social Security Number (restricted in public-facing records)

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Arresting agency (e.g., Nassau County Police Department, local village or town police)

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges filed (felony, misdemeanor, or violation)
New York Penal Law charge codes
Number of counts per charge

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number and issuing court
Date warrant was issued
Jurisdiction of originating warrant

Booking Information:

Booking number and date
Fingerprint classification
Mugshot photograph taken at time of booking

Bond/Bail Information:

Bail amount set by the court
Type of bail (cash, bond, recognizance)
Bail status (posted, pending, denied)

Court Information:

Assigned court and docket number
Scheduled arraignment or hearing dates
Presiding judge (if assigned)

Custody Status:

Current detention facility or release status
Transfer history between facilities

Additional Information May Include:

Probation or parole status at time of arrest
Prior arrest history (may be restricted for public access)
Juvenile records (sealed by default under New York law)

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Nassau County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Nassau County may pursue several official channels depending on the type and scope of information needed. Requests should be submitted in writing and must comply with New York's Freedom of Information Law.

Step 1 – Submit a FOIL Request to the Nassau County Police Department The Nassau County Police Department processes public records requests through its Records Access Office. Requestors must submit a written FOIL request identifying the subject of the record, the approximate date of arrest, and the type of records sought. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or via the county's online portal.

Nassau County Police Department — Records Access Office 1490 Franklin Avenue Mineola, NY 11501 (516) 573-7000 Nassau County Police Department Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Step 2 – Contact the Nassau County District Attorney's Office For records related to prosecuted cases, the District Attorney's Office may hold relevant documentation. Requests for case-specific records should reference the applicable docket number.

Nassau County District Attorney's Office 262 Old Country Road Mineola, NY 11501 (516) 571-3800 Nassau County District Attorney's Office

Step 3 – Request Criminal History Through DCJS For a certified criminal history record, individuals may submit a request to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. This process requires fingerprint submission and is primarily used for background check purposes.

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services 80 South Swan Street Albany, NY 12210 (518) 457-5837 New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services

How To Find Nassau County Arrest Records Online

Several official and government-affiliated online platforms provide access to Nassau County arrest-related information.

Nassau County Government Website — The county's official portal at nassaucountyny.gov provides links to police department services and FOIL request submission tools.
New York State Unified Court System — The New York Courts e-Courts portal allows members of the public to search court case records by name or docket number, which may reflect charges arising from an arrest.
DCJS Criminal History Search — Authorized requestors may access the DCJS online portal for certified criminal history records at criminaljustice.ny.gov.
Nassau County Correctional Center Inmate Lookup — Current custody status for individuals held at the Nassau County Correctional Center may be verified through the facility directly.

Nassau County Correctional Center 100 Carmen Avenue East Meadow, NY 11554 (516) 572-4100 Nassau County Sheriff's Office

How To Search Nassau County Arrest Records for Free?

Members of the public may access certain Nassau County arrest records at no cost through the following methods.

FOIL Requests at No Cost — Under Public Officers Law § 87, agencies may not charge fees for records that require minimal reproduction. Basic FOIL requests submitted to the Nassau County Police Department are processed without a mandatory fee, though duplication charges may apply for large record sets.
New York Courts Public Access Terminals — The Nassau County Supreme Court and District Court maintain public access terminals where individuals may search case records at no charge during regular business hours.
Nassau County Clerk's Office — Court filings and case indexes related to criminal proceedings are available for public inspection at the County Clerk's office.

Nassau County Clerk's Office 240 Old Country Road Mineola, NY 11501 (516) 571-2660 Nassau County Clerk's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:45 PM

Online Court Records — The New York Courts e-Courts system provides free name-based searches for criminal case records filed in Nassau County courts.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Nassau County

New York law provides two primary legal mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: sealing and expungement. These are distinct remedies with different eligibility criteria and legal effects.

Sealing restricts public access to a criminal record while preserving the record within law enforcement systems. Under Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59, eligible individuals with up to two convictions (no more than one felony) may petition to have their records sealed after a ten-year waiting period following sentencing or release from incarceration, whichever is later.

Expungement in New York is currently limited in scope. The Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act provides for the automatic expungement of certain prior marijuana-related convictions. Outside of this specific category, New York does not currently offer broad expungement for most criminal convictions.

Arrest Records Without Conviction — Pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, when a criminal action is terminated in favor of the accused (e.g., charges dismissed, acquittal), the arrest and prosecution records are automatically sealed. The individual may also petition for the return or destruction of fingerprints and photographs.

Steps to Petition for Sealing:

Obtain a copy of the official criminal record from DCJS.
Confirm eligibility under CPL § 160.59 criteria.
File a sealing petition with the court of original jurisdiction.
Serve notice on the District Attorney's Office.
Attend a court hearing if scheduled by the judge.

Petitions are filed with the Nassau County Supreme Court or the court where the original case was adjudicated.

Nassau County Supreme Court — Criminal Term 262 Old Country Road Mineola, NY 11501 (516) 493-3400 Nassau County Supreme Court

What Happens After Arrest in Nassau County?

The criminal justice process in Nassau County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition.

Arrest and Booking — Following an arrest, the individual is transported to a Nassau County Police Department precinct for processing, which includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording of personal information.
Arraignment — The arrestee is brought before a Nassau County District Court judge, typically within 24 hours, where formal charges are read and bail is determined.
Grand Jury or Preliminary Hearing — For felony charges, the case is presented to a grand jury or a preliminary hearing is held to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.
Pre-Trial Proceedings — Both prosecution and defense engage in discovery, motion practice, and plea negotiations.
Trial or Plea — The case proceeds to trial or is resolved through a negotiated plea agreement.
Sentencing — Upon conviction, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with New York Penal Law guidelines.
Appeals — Convicted individuals retain the right to appeal through the Appellate Division, Second Department, which has jurisdiction over Nassau County.

Nassau County District Court 99 Main Street Hempstead, NY 11550 (516) 572-2355 Nassau County District Court

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Nassau County?

Arrest records in Nassau County are retained in accordance with schedules established by the New York State Archives and applicable state statutes. The New York State Archives Records Retention and Disposition Schedule MU-1 governs municipal and law enforcement record retention for local agencies.

Under current law, the following general retention periods apply:

Arrest records resulting in conviction — Retained permanently or for a minimum of 25 years following the completion of sentence, depending on the severity of the offense.
Arrest records not resulting in conviction — Retained for a minimum of three years from the date of arrest, subject to sealing provisions under CPL § 160.50.
Fingerprint cards and photographs — Retained by DCJS indefinitely unless ordered destroyed by a court following a favorable termination of proceedings.
Juvenile records — Subject to separate retention schedules and are sealed by operation of law under the Family Court Act.

Different agencies within Nassau County — including the Police Department, Sheriff's Office, District Attorney's Office, and court system — maintain independent record sets, each subject to their respective retention schedules. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for potential future proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system.

How to Find Mugshots in Nassau County

What Mugshots Are A mugshot is a standardized photographic record taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. It typically includes a front-facing and profile photograph of the arrested individual, along with identifying data such as name, booking number, and date of arrest.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots in Nassau County are maintained by the Nassau County Police Department's Records Division and the Nassau County Correctional Center. The New York State DCJS also retains booking photographs as part of an individual's criminal history record.

Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request mugshots through a formal FOIL request submitted to the Nassau County Police Department. The request must identify the subject by name and approximate arrest date. Agencies may deny release if disclosure would interfere with an ongoing investigation or endanger an individual.

Can They Be Found Online At present, Nassau County does not operate a publicly accessible online mugshot database. While third-party websites may aggregate and publish booking photographs, these sources are not official government repositories and may contain outdated or inaccurate information.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially Official mugshot requests are processed through the Nassau County Police Department Records Access Office at 1490 Franklin Avenue, Mineola, NY 11501. Requestors should submit a written FOIL request and may be required to pay a nominal duplication fee.

Restrictions on Mugshot Access Under New York law, mugshots associated with sealed records are not subject to public disclosure. Following a favorable termination of criminal proceedings under CPL § 160.50, law enforcement agencies are directed to return or destroy photographs taken in connection with the arrest. Additionally, New York does not currently have a dedicated mugshot removal statute, though individuals may pursue legal remedies if photographs are published in a manner that violates privacy rights.