Search Tonawanda DUI Records

Tonawanda DUI records are processed through the City Court and the Erie County court system. This small city near Buffalo handles misdemeanor DWI and DWAI cases at its own City Court, with felony charges moving to Erie County Court in Buffalo. The court also runs a Treatment Court program that affects how some DUI cases are resolved and recorded.

Tonawanda City Court and DUI Cases

The Tonawanda City Court is at City Hall, 200 Niagara Street, Tonawanda, NY 14150. The main number is (716) 845-2160. Fax is (716) 845-7590. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The court is presided over by Judge Hon. Dean Lilac and Judge Hon. S. Michael Rua. The Chief Clerk is Stacey Bush at (716) 845-2164. Deputy Chief Clerks are Nicole Desmond at (716) 845-2165 and Elana Nosworthy at (716) 845-2167. The court handles all misdemeanor DUI charges under VTL § 1192.

Drug Court sessions run on Thursdays at 1:00 PM. Treatment Court is held Thursdays at 2:00 PM. The Treatment Court Coordinator is Harmony Retzlaff-Hurtgam, reachable at (716) 845-2167 or hhurtgam@nycourts.gov. Treatment Court combines intensive supervision with substance abuse treatment. Successful completion can result in reduced charges or dismissal. The program usually runs 12 to 18 months.

Felony DWI cases transfer to Erie County Court at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, after initial proceedings. Copy fees at City Court are $0.65 per page and $8.00 for certified copies.

How to Search DUI Records in Tonawanda

Use the WebCrims system for free DUI case lookups. It covers Tonawanda City Court and Erie County Court. Search by defendant name, case number, or attorney. Results show case status, charges, court dates, and dispositions. No fee. No registration for basic lookups.

The OCA Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name and covers all 62 counties. You need the exact legal name and date of birth. Results come in real time when no records exist. Records found go through manual review taking up to five business days. CHRS results are not certified.

For police reports from DUI arrests, contact the Tonawanda Police Department at 200 Niagara Street. Call (716) 845-2111. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Submit a written FOIL request with the incident date and location. A valid photo ID is needed. The department has five business days to respond.

DUI Records Fees

The Erie County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, charges $5.00 per name for a two-year search. Call (716) 858-8785. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Certified copies are $10.00. Regular copies are $0.65 per page. Free public access terminals are in the lobby.

The DCJS record review costs $14.25 with fingerprints. Contact DCJS at RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov or call (518) 457-9847. This gives your own criminal history and is separate from the OCA search.

New York DUI Law in Tonawanda

Under VTL § 1192, first DWI is a misdemeanor. Fine of $500 to $1,000, up to one year in jail, and six-month license revocation. A second DWI in ten years is a Class E felony with fines up to $5,000 and up to four years in prison. Leandra's Law makes DWI with a child under 16 an automatic felony.

CPL § 160.50 seals dismissed cases. CPL § 160.55 may seal the arrest record when DWI is reduced to DWAI. Sealed records do not show up in OCA searches. Only the arrested person can access sealed records through DCJS. Court records access is governed by Judiciary Law § 255.

The Erie County DA at 25 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, prosecutes felony DUI cases from Tonawanda. Call (716) 858-2468. The Vehicular Crimes Unit handles serious cases. Erie County treatment courts offer alternatives for eligible defendants.

DMV Records and Penalties

The DMV keeps DUI penalty records separately. DWI stays on your driving abstract 15 years. DWAI stays 10. Refusing a chemical test brings a one-year revocation and $500 civil penalty. The Impaired Driver Program costs $300 total. Completing it may qualify you for a conditional license.

Court records and DMV records are not the same thing. Both may be needed for a full picture of a Tonawanda DUI case.

Tonawanda sits just north of Buffalo along the Niagara River. DUI arrests here are made by the Tonawanda Police Department. The city is separate from the Town of Tonawanda, which has its own court. Make sure you know which jurisdiction the arrest happened in before searching. Cases from the City of Tonawanda go through Tonawanda City Court. Cases from the Town of Tonawanda go through the Town Court.

The Treatment Court program at Tonawanda City Court is a significant alternative for eligible defendants. The program runs Thursdays and combines judicial oversight with substance abuse counseling. Participants who complete all requirements can see their charges reduced or dropped. The program usually takes 12 to 18 months. To learn about eligibility, contact Treatment Court Coordinator Harmony Retzlaff-Hurtgam at (716) 845-2167 or hhurtgam@nycourts.gov. The eCourts portal also provides online case access across the state.

Nearby Cities

Other cities in the Buffalo area handle DUI records through their own courts.

Erie County DUI Records

Tonawanda is in Erie County. Felony DUI cases and county-level records are at the Erie County Courthouse in Buffalo. Visit the county page for county-wide search details. The Erie County Clerk keeps felony records permanently and can provide certified copies. Free public access terminals in the lobby let you search the electronic case system at no cost.