Criminal records in Cortland County, New York, can be accessed through several channels. CortlandCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for the county. Beyond that, official court systems such as the New York State Unified Court System, law enforcement agencies like the Cortland County Sheriff's Office, and the Cortland County Clerk's office all serve as access points for criminal record inquiries.
How to Search Criminal Records in Cortland
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Cortland County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and what type of record you need.
Online Search Options
- CortlandCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information tied to Cortland County criminal cases. You can search by name or case number.
- New York State Unified Court System (WebCivil Supreme) — The state court system offers online case lookups for Supreme Court and County Court cases. Criminal case information for Cortland County Court may be available through the eCourts portal at WebCrims, which covers criminal cases in certain courts statewide.
- NY Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) — Individuals can request their own criminal history record through DCJS. Employers and licensing agencies may also submit background check requests through this office.
- DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup — Search for individuals currently or formerly incarcerated in a New York State correctional facility.
- Cortland County Sheriff's Most Wanted — View active warrants and wanted individuals posted by the Sheriff's Office.
- New York State Police Wanted and Missing — Check statewide wanted persons listings maintained by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
In Person
- Visit the Cortland County Clerk's office at the Cortland County Courthouse.
- Request access to public criminal case files at the clerk's counter or use any available public access terminals.
- Bring the defendant's full name and, if possible, date of birth or case number to narrow results.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Cortland County Clerk specifying the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and the type of record needed.
- For a statewide criminal history, submit a request to DCJS. Individuals requesting their own record must provide fingerprints and valid photo identification. The DCJS record review page outlines the process.
What you need to begin a search:
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number or docket number (if available)
- Approximate date range of the case
Search Cortland Criminal Cases by Case Number
New York court case numbers follow a structured format that encodes the court, year, and sequence. A typical Cortland County criminal case number might look like this:
- County/Court prefix — A numeric or alphanumeric code identifying Cortland County or the specific court (e.g., County Court, City Court of Cortland, or a town/village justice court).
- Year — The two- or four-digit year the case was filed.
- Sequence number — A sequential number assigned as cases are filed within that year.
For example, a case number formatted as 2024-0123 would indicate the 123rd case filed in 2024. Some courts add a letter prefix to distinguish criminal cases from civil ones (e.g., "CR" for criminal).
If you have a case number, enter it directly into the court's search tool or provide it to the clerk's office. Searching by case number returns the most precise results and avoids confusion when common names are involved.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Cortland
Criminal case records in Cortland County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The New York Penal Law section the defendant is charged under (e.g., PL 155.30 — Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree) |
| Severity | Classified as a felony (classes A through E), misdemeanor (classes A or B), or violation/infraction |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations; the record will reflect both original and amended charges |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further court action.
- Active — Proceedings are underway (e.g., trial in progress, motions being heard).
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal).
- Closed — All matters including sentencing or post-judgment motions are complete.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant's first court appearance where charges are read and bail is set.
- Preliminary hearing — A hearing to determine whether enough evidence exists to proceed (felony cases).
- Pre-trial conference — A meeting between the court, prosecution, and defense to discuss case management or plea offers.
- Trial — The formal proceeding where evidence is presented to a judge or jury.
- Sentencing — The hearing where the court imposes a penalty after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearings to monitor compliance with sentencing conditions.
Court Results
- Guilty — The defendant was convicted by plea or verdict.
- Not guilty — The defendant was acquitted at trial.
- Dismissed — The court or prosecution dropped the charges.
- Adjourned in contemplation of dismissal (ACD) — The case is adjourned and will be dismissed if the defendant stays out of trouble for a set period.
- Acquitted — A formal finding of not guilty after trial.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Cortland
Certified copies of criminal case records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes.
Where to Request
Cortland County Clerk's Office
Cortland County Court Clerk — For County Court criminal case files, requests may also be directed to the court clerk at the Cortland County Courthouse.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Clerk's office, complete a records request form, provide valid photo ID, and pay the applicable fee.
- By mail — Send a written request including the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), the specific records needed, a copy of your photo ID (if requesting your own record), and a check or money order for the fee.
Statewide Criminal History
For a complete New York State criminal history report, submit a request through the DCJS criminal history record review process. This requires fingerprinting and a processing fee. Contact DCJS at 518-457-9847 for details.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- For self-requests through DCJS: fingerprints submitted through an authorized IdentoGO location
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Cortland
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified record copy | $0.65 per page | Per New York County Law §34; standard photocopy rate for county clerk records |
| Certified copy | $1.25 per page (minimum $5.00) | Includes the clerk's certification and seal |
| DCJS criminal history record review (self-request) | $75.00 | Submitted through IdentoGO; includes fingerprint processing |
| DCJS background check (employer/agency) | Varies | Depends on the type of check and whether fingerprinting is required |
| Search fee (County Clerk) | $5.00 per two-year period searched | Per CPLR §8021; applies to name-based searches through clerk records |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often available the same day or within one to two business days, depending on the volume and age of the record.
- Mail requests — Allow two to four weeks for processing and return delivery.
- DCJS criminal history — Typically processed within four to six weeks after fingerprint submission.
Older records or sealed cases may take longer or may not be available for public access. Contact the Cortland County Clerk's office directly to confirm current fees and turnaround times before submitting a request.