Criminal records in Chemung County, New York, can be accessed through several channels. ChemungCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the New York State Unified Court System, the Chemung County Sheriff's Office, and the County Clerk's office. Each source may hold different types of records depending on the case and the agency involved.
How to Search Criminal Records in Chemung
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Chemung County. What you need to begin depends on the method you choose, but generally you should have the individual's full legal name, date of birth, or a case number.
Through ChemungCourt.us
Start at ChemungCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information. You can search by name or case number to locate criminal case details filed in Chemung County courts.
Online — State and County Tools
- New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF): The Chemung County Clerk's office supports e-filing through the NYSCEF system. Some case documents may be viewable through this portal.
- WebCrims: The New York State Unified Court System operates WebCrims, which allows searches of criminal court case information by defendant name or case number for cases in participating courts.
- Chemung County Online Records Search: The County Clerk offers a Landex-based online records search. Searching is free, but viewing and printing documents involves a fee. Note: sealed records are not available through this system.
- Incarcerated Individual Lookup: The Sheriff's Office provides an incarcerated individual search for the Chemung County Jail. For individuals in state prison, use the DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup.
- Active Warrants: The Sheriff's Office publishes a list of active warrants on its website.
- Daily Activity Logs: The City of Elmira Police Department posts daily activity logs that may include arrest information.
In Person
Visit the Chemung County Clerk's office in the courthouse to access public court records. You can also schedule an appointment with the Public Records and Information Department by calling (607) 737-2837 or (607) 737-2031. The Sheriff's Office Records Division maintains paperwork generated by Road Patrol and Criminal Investigation Division staff.
By Mail or Written Request
- County Clerk: Submit a written request to the Chemung County Clerk for copies of court documents on file. Include the defendant's full name, case number if known, and the type of record requested.
- State Criminal History: For an official criminal history record, submit a request to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Requests typically require fingerprinting and a completed application form.
Search Chemung Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, you can look up a specific criminal case directly. New York uses a standardized case numbering format across its court system:
- The format generally follows: [Court Type]-[Year]-[Sequential Number]
- Court type prefix identifies the court — for example, indictment numbers for County Court felony cases or docket numbers for local criminal courts and city courts.
- Year indicates when the case was filed (typically two or four digits).
- Sequential number is assigned in the order the case was received by the court.
Enter the full case number into WebCrims or provide it to the County Clerk's office for the most direct lookup. Having the exact case number avoids confusion with common names and speeds up retrieval.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Chemung
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | References the specific section of the New York Penal Law (e.g., PL 155.30 — Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree) |
| Severity | Classified as violation, misdemeanor (Class A or B), or felony (Class A through E) |
| Amended Charges | Original charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations; the amended charge replaces the original on the disposition record |
Case Status
- Pending: Case is open and awaiting court action
- Active: Proceedings are ongoing (hearings, motions, trial)
- Disposed: A final outcome has been reached (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed: All court obligations completed, including sentencing and any post-judgment activity
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: First court appearance where charges are read and bail is set
- Preliminary Hearing: Judge determines if sufficient evidence exists to proceed (felony cases)
- Pre-Trial Conference: Attorneys discuss case status, plea offers, and trial readiness
- Trial: Case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing: Court imposes a penalty after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review: Follow-up hearings for compliance with court orders or conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not Guilty | Defendant acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Acquitted | Formal finding of not guilty after trial |
| Adjourned in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD) | Case is adjourned and may be dismissed after a set period if conditions are met — common in New York courts |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Chemung
County Clerk's Office
The Chemung County Clerk handles certified copies of court documents filed with the county, including Supreme Court and County Court criminal records.
To request certified records:
- Visit the office in person or submit a written request by mail.
- Provide the defendant's full name, case number, and the specific document needed.
- Present valid government-issued photo identification.
- Pay the applicable certification and copy fees.
Sheriff's Office Records Division
The Sheriff's Office Records Division maintains law enforcement records from Road Patrol and criminal investigations. Requests for incident reports or arrest records can be directed to:
State Criminal History Records
For a comprehensive New York State criminal history report, requests go through the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). This process requires fingerprinting and is available for individuals requesting their own record or for authorized employers and agencies.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Chemung
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| County Clerk — document copy (per page) | $0.65 | Standard per-page rate under NY County Law § 8-a |
| County Clerk — certification fee | $5.00 | Per certified document |
| County Clerk — exemplified copy | $10.00 | Certification with county seal |
| Online Records Search (Landex) — searching | Free | Viewing/printing: $0.15/minute + $0.10/page loaded |
| DCJS criminal history record (personal) | $75.00 | Fingerprint-based; processing may take several weeks |
| FOIL request copies | $0.25/page | Per NY Public Officers Law § 87; first 9" × 14" or smaller |
Processing times:
- In-person requests at the County Clerk's office are often fulfilled the same day for records that are readily available.
- Mail requests typically take 5–10 business days depending on volume.
- DCJS fingerprint-based searches may take several weeks to process.
- FOIL requests must receive an initial response within 5 business days under New York law, though the actual production of records may take longer.
Fees are subject to change. Contact the relevant office directly to confirm current rates before submitting a request.