Chautauqua County Criminal History
Chautauqua County criminal history records are handled by offices in Mayville, the county seat. The Sheriff's Office on East Chautauqua Street manages arrests, incident reports, and the county jail. The County Clerk on North Erie Street holds court case records from the Supreme Court and County Court. For a statewide criminal history search that covers all 62 New York counties, the Office of Court Administration offers a paid search service. This page covers how to find, request, and understand criminal history records specific to Chautauqua County.
Chautauqua County Overview
Chautauqua County Criminal Records Offices
The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office is located at 15 E. Chautauqua Street in Mayville. The office provides comprehensive law enforcement services including patrol, investigations, and operation of the county jail. The Records Division processes requests for incident reports, accident reports, and arrest records. You can submit requests in person, by mail, or through the online portal where available. The main line is (716) 753-4900.
The Chautauqua County Clerk's Office is at 1 N. Erie Street in Mayville. The Clerk maintains Supreme Court and County Court records, including felony case files, civil judgments, and other court documents. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies carry an added fee. Walk-in visitors can review records at no charge during office hours. The phone number is (716) 753-4331, which also connects to the County Court.
| Sheriff's Office | 15 E. Chautauqua Street, Mayville, NY 14757 Phone: (716) 753-4900 |
|---|---|
| County Clerk | 1 N. Erie Street, Mayville, NY 14757 Phone: (716) 753-4331 |
| County Court | 1 N. Erie Street, Mayville, NY 14757 Phone: (716) 753-4331 |
| District Attorney | 1 N. Erie Street, Mayville, NY 14757 Phone: (716) 753-4127 |
The screenshot below shows the New York DCJS criminal history portal, which serves as the statewide record source for Chautauqua County and every other county in New York.
DCJS processes arrest records from Chautauqua County through the statewide fingerprint system, centralizing criminal history data from all agencies in New York.
Searching Criminal Records in Chautauqua County
Chautauqua County does not maintain a separate online case search portal. The main tool for free online access is WebCriminal, part of the eCourts system run by the New York Unified Court System. WebCriminal shows pending criminal cases with future court dates. You can search by name or case number. This is free and available to anyone. Public terminals at the courthouse in Mayville provide the same access in person.
For a full statewide search, the OCA Criminal History Record Search is a $95 service that checks court records from all 62 New York counties. It pulls from the Office of Court Administration's statewide database and returns case types, dispositions, and sentencing data. It is especially helpful when checking records across multiple counties or looking for older closed cases.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services holds the state's full fingerprint-based criminal history file. These records are not public and cannot be obtained by FOIL. Anyone who wants to review their own DCJS record can request a personal review through IdentoGo. The fee is about $60.75. Out-of-state requests cost $44.25 for a standard review.
People in state custody can be searched through the free DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup. Coverage goes back to 1982. Searches return conviction charges, sentence information, and release status.
Chautauqua County Courts and Criminal Cases
The Chautauqua County Court at 1 N. Erie Street in Mayville is the main trial court for felony criminal cases in the county. It is part of the 8th Judicial District, which covers Erie, Niagara, Wyoming, Genesee, Orleans, Allegany, and Cattaraugus counties as well. Felony case records are filed and kept by the County Clerk at the same address. The combined phone for both is (716) 753-4331.
Town and village courts throughout Chautauqua County handle misdemeanors, local violations, and traffic cases. Records from those courts stay at the local level and are not part of the County Clerk's file. If you need records from a town court, contact that court directly. The Unified Court System website lists all local court contact information.
The New York Sex Offender Registry is maintained by DCJS and is searchable online for Level 2 and Level 3 offenders anywhere in New York. For Level 1 offenders, call the registry line at 800-262-3257 with the person's name and one identifier.
Note: Jamestown, located in southern Chautauqua County, is one of the larger cities served by county courts and the Sheriff's Office but does not have a separate city court criminal division for felony matters.
FOIL Requests in Chautauqua County
New York's Freedom of Information Law, in Public Officers Law Article 6, requires government agencies to make records available to the public unless a specific exemption applies. Agencies must acknowledge a FOIL request within 5 business days. They then have 20 business days to provide records or send a written explanation for any delay. For Chautauqua County, FOIL requests to the Sheriff's Office go to 15 E. Chautauqua Street, Mayville, NY 14757. Requests for court records go to the County Clerk at 1 N. Erie Street.
Copies cost $0.25 per page for standard records. Electronic delivery by email is sometimes possible and avoids copy fees. Common exemptions include records related to open criminal investigations, records that could identify confidential informants, and records whose release would invade personal privacy. A denial can be appealed to the agency head. Beyond that, you can file a court proceeding under CPLR Article 78. The New York Committee on Open Government at opengovernment.ny.gov offers free guidance on FOIL rights statewide.
Keep in mind that DCJS criminal history records are not covered by FOIL and must be accessed through a separate fingerprint-based review process.
Record Sealing in Chautauqua County
New York provides several ways that criminal records can be sealed from public view. CPL 160.50 seals records fully when a case ends favorably for the defendant. That includes acquittals, dismissals, and adjournments in contemplation of dismissal under CPL 170.55. Once sealed under 160.50, the case is removed from most public court indexes. CPL 160.55 handles partial sealing when a criminal charge is reduced to a violation. CPL 720.35 seals youthful offender records for cases involving defendants between 16 and 18 years old who meet the eligibility requirements.
The Clean Slate Act took effect November 16, 2024. It creates a system for automatic sealing of eligible convictions once the Office of Court Administration finishes building the sealing infrastructure, which can take up to three years. Sex offenses and non-drug Class A felonies will not be eligible for Clean Slate sealing. Until the system goes live, DCJS records will still reflect convictions that may qualify later. Chautauqua County residents who want to understand their eligibility should speak with a local attorney or legal aid provider.
Cities in Chautauqua County
Chautauqua County has no cities above the population threshold for individual pages. Jamestown and Dunkirk are the largest cities in the county. Criminal history records for all locations in Chautauqua County are processed through the Sheriff's Office and County Clerk in Mayville.
Nearby Counties
These counties share a border with Chautauqua County. Check the address of an arrest or court filing to confirm which county has jurisdiction.