Search Erie County Recent Arrests
Erie County recent arrests are processed through the Sheriff's Office in Buffalo. With a population of about 954,000, Erie County is the second largest county in New York outside of New York City. The sheriff operates two jail facilities and publishes a daily inmate roster that you can check online. Recent arrests in Erie County go through the 8th Judicial District court system. Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Amherst, Tonawanda, and Hamburg all fall within Erie County's jurisdiction for criminal cases.
Erie County Overview
Erie County Sheriff and Recent Arrests
The Erie County Sheriff's Office handles recent arrests across the county from its base at 10 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo. The office has four divisions: Law Enforcement, Jail Management, Civil, and Records. The Law Enforcement Division runs road patrol, marine units, K-9 teams, and criminal investigations. When deputies make an arrest in Erie County, the person goes to one of two facilities for booking.
The Records Division at (716) 858-7618 manages public records requests for arrest information. You can submit FOIL requests by mail, email, or in person. A Records Access Officer handles all requests under the Freedom of Information Law. Accident reports from Erie County are available online at crashdocs.org or buycrash.com. For arrest records specifically, you need to file a formal FOIL request with the sheriff's office.
| Agency | Erie County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 10 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| Phone | (716) 858-7618 |
| Fax | (716) 858-7799 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | erie.gov/sheriff |
How to Search Erie County Recent Arrests
The fastest way to check on recent arrests in Erie County is the daily inmate roster. The sheriff publishes a PDF list of all current inmates at both the Holding Center and the Correctional Facility. You can find it on the sheriff's website. The list includes names, dates of birth, facility location, and booking dates. It gets updated every day.
For court-level searches on Erie County arrests, the state eCourts portal at iapps.courts.state.ny.us covers the 8th Judicial District. WebCrims at iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcrim shows criminal court schedules and case details. Both tools are free and available online around the clock. You can search by the defendant's name or case number to find arrest-related court records.
State databases add more coverage. The DOCCS inmate lookup at nysdoccslookup.doccs.ny.gov tracks people in state prison. The Sex Offender Registry lists registered offenders. The Criminal History Record Search pulls conviction records from across New York.
Note: Under CPL 160.50, arrest records in New York are sealed when charges get dismissed or the person is acquitted. Those records will not appear in any public search tool.
Erie County Holding Center
The Erie County Holding Center (ECHC) at 40 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo is where most recent arrests are processed. It is a pretrial, maximum-security detention facility. It is the second-largest detention facility in New York State outside of New York City. People arrested in Erie County come here first for booking and classification.
You can search for current inmates through the online roster. Search by last name, first name, or ICN number. The results show the person's name, date of birth, which facility they are in, and when they were booked. Phone the jail at (716) 858-7636 if you need more details. The Correctional Health Unit can be reached at (716) 858-8931 for medical questions about inmates.
Visitation at the Holding Center varies by housing unit. Both video visits and in-person visits are available, but you need an appointment. Show up 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Bring valid photo ID. Commissary services, medical care, mental health support, and religious services are all provided to inmates at the ECHC.
Erie County Correctional Facility
The Erie County Correctional Facility (ECCF) sits at 11581 Walden Avenue in Alden. This medium-security facility holds sentenced inmates. It has about 1,000 beds. People convicted after a recent arrest in Erie County may serve their sentence here rather than at the Holding Center in Buffalo.
The ECCF shares the same online inmate lookup system as the Holding Center. Search by name, ICN, or date of birth. The daily roster covers both facilities. Call (716) 937-5800 for information about inmates at the Alden facility. They offer educational programs, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and work programs. Commissary goes through the JailATM service and phone calls use the GTL system.
Erie County Court Records
Criminal cases from recent arrests in Erie County are heard at 25 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo. The 8th Judicial District handles all court proceedings. Call (716) 845-9300 to reach the court clerk. Erie County has problem-solving courts that deal with specific types of cases, including Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Veterans Court, and Domestic Violence Court.
The Erie County Clerk's Office at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo keeps official court records. Phone (716) 858-8785 for assistance. They have criminal court records, civil court records, real property records, and business certificates. Copy fees are $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 each. Search fees run $5.00 per name per year. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. They also offer online property records search and document imaging.
The Erie County District Attorney's Office is at 25 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo. Call (716) 858-2400 about prosecution of recent arrests. The Public Defender's Office at 138 Pearl Street in Buffalo provides representation at (716) 858-8333 to those who qualify. The Division of Criminal Justice Services at 115 West Huron Street in Buffalo can be reached at (716) 858-6400 for state-level criminal justice inquiries.
Getting Erie County Arrest Records
File a FOIL request to get copies of arrest records in Erie County. The Freedom of Information Law under New York Public Officers Law gives the public access to most government records. Send your request to the agency that has the record you want. The sheriff's office handles jail and arrest records. The clerk's office handles court records.
Some arrest records in Erie County cannot be released. Cases sealed under CPL 160.50 are off limits. Ongoing investigations may also be exempt. The DCJS FOIL page has guidance on requesting records from the state. For personal criminal history checks, the Division of Criminal Justice Services runs fingerprint-based searches for $62.00 plus fingerprinting costs through IdentoGO.
Recent Arrests Resources for Erie County
The Erie County government portal at erie.gov connects you to all county departments. The County Executive Office at 95 Franklin Street in Buffalo can be reached at (716) 858-8500. The Department of Social Services at 478 Main Street in Buffalo, (716) 858-8000, provides support services for families affected by arrests.
State resources for Erie County arrest searches include the DCJS crime statistics page and the Records Review page. The VINE system at vinelink.com or 1-888-846-3469 provides free inmate status notifications to victims.
Cities in Erie County
Erie County includes several large communities. Recent arrests in these cities are processed through the Erie County Sheriff's Office and the county court system.
Other communities in Erie County include Lancaster, Orchard Park, West Seneca, Lackawanna, and Clarence. All criminal cases go through the Erie County courts in Buffalo.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Erie County. Arrests near the county line may be handled by a neighboring jurisdiction.