Ontario County Recent Arrests Search
Ontario County recent arrests are public records kept by the sheriff's office and courts in Canandaigua. The county sits in the Finger Lakes region of New York and has about 110,000 residents. The Ontario County Sheriff's Office handles all arrests, runs the county jail, and keeps booking records for every person brought in. Court cases tied to those arrests go through the Ontario County courts on Ontario Street in Canandaigua. You can search for recent arrests online through state tools like WebCrims and the DOCCS inmate lookup, or contact the sheriff's office and county clerk for local records.
Ontario County Overview
Ontario County Sheriff and Recent Arrests
The Ontario County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. Sheriff Philip C. Povero leads the office, which provides 24-hour patrol across Ontario County and runs the county jail. The records division keeps incident and accident reports for all arrests made in the county. You can reach the office by phone or visit in person during business hours to ask about recent arrests or request copies of records.
| Office | Ontario County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 74 Ontario Street Canandaigua, NY 14424 |
| Phone | 585-394-4560 (Toll-Free: 800-394-4560) |
| Hours | 24-hour patrol; Admin: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| sheriff@co.ontario.ny.us | |
| Website | Ontario County Sheriff |
The civil process unit handles legal papers, subpoenas, and court orders for Ontario County. The fax number is 585-394-3245. For emergencies anywhere in the county, call 911. Non-emergency calls go through the main line at 585-394-4560.
How to Search Recent Arrests in Ontario County
You can search for recent arrests in Ontario County using several free online tools. The state's WebCrims system shows pending criminal cases in participating courts. Search by name or case number to see the defendant's name, charges, next court date, and assigned judge. Not all Ontario County courts appear in WebCrims, but it is a good place to start for cases that have reached the court stage.
The DOCCS inmate lookup shows people serving state prison sentences. It runs around the clock and covers inmates going back to the early 1970s. Search by name and birth year. It does not cover the Ontario County Jail. For people held locally, call the jail at 585-396-1800.
The Ontario County Clerk's Office at 20 Ontario Street in Canandaigua has public access terminals for searching court records in person. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call 585-396-4200 for details. The eCourts portal links to various court search tools for criminal, civil, and family cases across all 62 New York counties.
Ontario County Jail and Booking Records
The Ontario County Jail sits at 3045 County Complex Drive in Canandaigua. Chief Corrections Officer Alice Haskins runs the facility with a staff that includes 2 lieutenants, 9 sergeants, 79 full-time correction officers, and 15 part-time officers. The jail books everyone arrested in Ontario County and keeps records of each booking, including charges, bail status, and court dates.
Visiting hours are on Saturday and Sunday. Call ahead at 585-396-1800 or 315-781-1966 to schedule a visit, or check in at the jail lobby. Mail for inmates goes to their name at 3045 County Complex Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424. You can deposit money through the kiosk in the jail lobby, by US mail, or online through smartdeposit.com. The VINE victim notification service is available for people who want alerts when an inmate's status changes in Ontario County.
A work release facility operates at the same address for qualifying minimum-security inmates. For state inmates, use the NYS Incarcerated Individual Locator on the DOCCS website.
Recent Arrests and Ontario County Courts
Ontario County courts are part of the 7th Judicial District and sit on Ontario Street in Canandaigua. Supreme Court and County Court handle felony cases from recent arrests. Family Court deals with juvenile matters and orders of protection. Surrogate's Court covers estate cases. Town courts across Ontario County manage misdemeanors, violations, and traffic offenses. The City of Canandaigua Court handles local criminal matters within city limits.
Under CPL Article 160, arrest records in New York can be sealed when a case ends in the defendant's favor. That includes dismissals and acquittals. CPL 160.55 covers noncriminal offenses. CPL 160.58 allows sealing for certain drug convictions. The Clean Slate Act took effect on November 16, 2024, and provides automatic sealing of eligible convictions after a waiting period. Records of sex crimes and Class A felonies are never eligible for sealing under New York law.
Getting Copies of Ontario County Arrest Records
To get copies of arrest records in Ontario County, file a FOIL request with the sheriff's office or county clerk. FOIL is part of New York's Public Officers Law. Send your written request to the Ontario County Sheriff's Office at 74 Ontario Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424, or fax it to 585-394-3245. Agencies must respond within 5 business days under the law. Copies cost about $0.25 per page. Electronic records may be free where available.
For a full criminal history rap sheet, go through the DCJS Records Review Unit. This requires fingerprint submission at an IdentoGo location. The fee is $17.50 for New York residents and $47.50 for out-of-state requests. The Office of Court Administration offers a name-based Criminal History Record Search for $95 per name covering court conviction records statewide.
Arrest Record Resources for Ontario County
The Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains the Computerized Criminal History system for all of New York. The Sex Offender Registry lists Level 2 and Level 3 offenders by county or zip code. Call 800-262-3257 weekdays to check for Level 1 offenders. The Criminal Justice Statistics page has arrest data for Ontario County going back to 1990.
The Ontario County government portal links to all county departments. You can find forms, contact info, and service details for the sheriff, clerk, and court system from one place.
Note: For state police records, visit the NYS State Police records page to submit a FOIL request. Some investigation records are exempt from disclosure under the law.
Cities in Ontario County
Ontario County includes the city of Canandaigua and several towns such as Victor, Farmington, and Geneva. All criminal cases from recent arrests go through the Ontario County courts in Canandaigua. Town courts handle local violations and misdemeanors while felony cases move to County Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Ontario County. Check the address where the arrest took place to find the right county.