Search New York DUI Records
New York DUI records are public court documents kept by county and city courts across the state. These files track arrests, charges, and case outcomes for driving while intoxicated offenses under state law. You can search for DUI records online through the New York State court system or request copies in person at the courthouse where the case was filed. The state has 62 counties, and each one runs its own court system for DUI cases. The Office of Court Administration runs a statewide search tool that covers all counties. For local case files and certified copies, you contact the clerk at the court that heard the case.
New York DUI Records Overview
Where to Find New York DUI Records
DUI records in New York are kept at the court level. The state does not have one central database for all case files. Each county and city court keeps its own records for the DUI cases it handles. Felony DWI cases go through County Court or Supreme Court. Misdemeanor cases, which include most first-time DWI arrests, are heard in City Court, Town Court, or Village Court. The court clerk at each location manages the files and can pull records for you.
The New York State Office of Court Administration offers a statewide Criminal History Record Search that covers all 62 counties. It costs $95 per name and requires an exact match of name and date of birth. You can submit a request through the OCA Direct Access program online or by mail to 25 Beaver Street, Room 940, New York, NY 10004. Results include open cases and convictions from all court levels. The search covers County, Supreme, City, Town, and Village courts statewide. Sealed records do not show up in results. If no records are found, you get a response right away. When records exist, OCA staff review them before sending results, which can take five to seven business days.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps fingerprint-based criminal history records for the state. These are official rap sheets. They are not public records. You cannot get them through FOIL. But you can request your own record by submitting fingerprints to DCJS at a cost of $14.25 at the fingerprint vendor. Results take three to four weeks. You can reach the Records Review Unit at 518-457-9847 or by email at RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov.
Note: The OCA search and DCJS records are separate systems. OCA covers court cases. DCJS includes arrest data from all law enforcement agencies.
How to Search DUI Records Online
New York provides several online tools for searching court records. The eCourts portal is the main hub. It includes WebCrims for criminal cases and WebCivil for civil matters. WebCrims lets you look up pending DUI cases by name, case number, or attorney. It shows court dates, charges, and case status. There is no fee to use it.
WebCrims works best for recent and active cases. Older cases or fully disposed matters may not appear. For a full record check going back years, the OCA Criminal History Record Search at $95 is the better option. It pulls data from every court level in all 62 counties.
You can also visit any courthouse in person. Go to the clerk's office at the court where the case was heard. Bring the name, date of birth, or case number. Staff can look up DUI records and make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Fees vary by court but follow rules set under Judiciary Law Section 255, which governs court clerk responsibilities for record access. Most courts charge $0.65 to $1.00 per page for copies and $5 to $15 for certified documents.
New York DWI Laws and Charges
New York handles impaired driving under Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1192. The state uses the term DWI. Several levels of charges exist under this statute, and each one creates a different type of DUI record.
VTL § 1192(1) covers Driving While Ability Impaired, or DWAI. This applies when a driver's blood alcohol content is between 0.05 and 0.07. It is a traffic infraction. VTL § 1192(2) is DWI Per Se for a BAC of 0.08 or higher. This is a misdemeanor. VTL § 1192(2-a) is Aggravated DWI for a BAC of 0.18 or above. VTL § 1192(3) covers common law DWI based on observed impairment regardless of test results. VTL § 1192(4) addresses driving while ability impaired by drugs.
A first DWI conviction is a misdemeanor. Fines range from $500 to $1,000. The court can impose up to one year in jail. License revocation lasts at least six months. A second DWI within ten years is a Class E felony. Fines go up to $5,000 and prison time can reach four years. The DMV lists all penalties for alcohol and drug-related violations on its website.
Leandra's Law makes it an automatic felony to drive drunk with a child under 16 in the car. This law also requires ignition interlock devices for all DWI convictions. The DMV provides details on interlock requirements and installation. Refusing a chemical test leads to an automatic one-year license revocation and a $500 civil penalty under VTL § 1194.
What New York DUI Records Contain
A DUI record in New York can include several types of documents. It depends on how far the case went and what the outcome was. Arrest records show the date, time, and location of the stop. They include officer notes, field sobriety test results, and chemical test readings. The arresting agency keeps these files.
Court records hold the formal charges, arraignment details, plea agreements, trial transcripts, and sentencing orders. The court clerk files these as the case moves through the system. A Certificate of Disposition is the official document that shows how a case ended. It lists the charges, the plea, the verdict, and the sentence. You get one from the court that heard the case. The fee is usually $5 to $10. DUI records in New York may also include the following types of information:
- Blood alcohol content test results and chemical test data
- Arresting officer observations and field sobriety notes
- Formal charges and offense classification
- Court appearance dates and plea information
- Sentencing details including fines, jail time, and probation
- License suspension or revocation orders from the DMV
The DMV driving record abstract shows license actions tied to DWI convictions. This includes suspensions, revocations, and interlock requirements. The DMV also tracks whether someone has completed the Impaired Driver Program. That course runs 16 hours over seven weeks. It costs $75 for the DMV application fee plus $225 for enrollment.
Can You Seal DUI Records in New York
Not all DUI records stay open forever. Under Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, cases that end in dismissal or acquittal are sealed automatically. The public cannot access those records after that. Court, prosecution, and law enforcement files are all sealed once a case is dismissed.
CPL § 160.55 covers sealing of certain non-criminal dispositions. If a DWI charge is reduced to the traffic infraction of DWAI under VTL § 1192(1), the original charge may be sealed. The DWAI record itself stays visible though. Convictions for DWI as a misdemeanor or felony are not eligible for sealing in most cases. New York does not have a general expungement law for criminal convictions. Some older convictions may qualify for sealing under CPL § 160.59, but not all offenses are covered. The DCJS website can help you check what appears on your record and how to correct errors.
Costs and Fees for Record Searches
Fees for DUI record searches vary by method and agency. The OCA Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name. DCJS fingerprint processing is $14.25 at the vendor. A Certificate of Disposition from a local court runs $5 to $10. Regular copies cost $0.65 to $1.00 per page at most courts. Certified copies are $5 to $15 per document.
The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee provides information about impaired driving enforcement statewide. Each county runs a STOP-DWI program funded by fines from DWI convictions. The STOP-DWI program supports enforcement patrols, prosecution, and public education across all 62 counties. County coordinators work with police, district attorneys, courts, and probation departments to address impaired driving in each area.
Some courts accept FOIL requests for certain records. Under Public Officers Law § 89(3), agencies must respond within five business days. Courts follow Judiciary Law § 255 for record access rather than FOIL, but police reports and prosecution records for DUI cases do fall under FOIL rules. The first two hours of search time are free under FOIL. Copy fees are based on actual costs of reproduction.
Note: Fee waivers may be available for individuals who cannot afford record request costs. Contact the specific court or agency for waiver forms and eligibility.
Browse New York DUI Records by County
Each of New York's 62 counties has its own court system that handles DUI cases. Pick a county below to find local court info, clerk contact details, and resources for searching DUI records in that area.
DUI Records in Major New York Cities
City and town courts handle many DUI cases in New York. Pick a city below to find which court system processes DUI records for that area.