Lewis County Criminal History
Lewis County criminal history records are handled by the Sheriff's Office and County Clerk in Lowville, both on Outer Stowe Street. The Sheriff's Office manages arrest records and incident reports for the county. The Clerk holds court files from felony cases in Lewis County Court. You can search pending criminal cases at no cost through the state's WebCrims system. For a certified record covering all 62 New York counties, the Office of Court Administration offers a statewide Criminal History Record Search. This guide covers how to find and access criminal history information in Lewis County.
Lewis County Overview
Lewis County Criminal History Records
The Lewis County Sheriff's Office is located at 5214 Outer Stowe Street in Lowville. It serves as the primary law enforcement agency for all towns and villages in Lewis County. The office handles patrol, criminal investigations, and operates the county jail. Arrest records and incident reports can be requested through a written FOIL request to the agency. Call (315) 376-3511 to reach the main line.
The Lewis County Clerk's Office is just down the street at 5274 Outer Stowe Street, Lowville, NY 13367. The Clerk acts as Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts, keeping felony case files and civil court records. You can visit the office in person to view records or request copies. The main line is (315) 376-5336. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies carry an added fee.
| Sheriff's Office | 5214 Outer Stowe Street, Lowville, NY 13367 Phone: (315) 376-3511 |
|---|---|
| County Clerk | 5274 Outer Stowe Street, Lowville, NY 13367 Phone: (315) 376-5336 |
| County Court | 5274 Outer Stowe Street, Lowville, NY 13367 Phone: (315) 376-5334 |
The screenshot below shows the Lewis County Sheriff's Office website, which is the main point of contact for arrest records in the county.
The Sheriff's Office handles all law enforcement matters in Lewis County. FOIL requests for arrest records go to this office in writing.
The County Clerk's site has details on how to request copies of court records and what fees apply. You can also see hours of operation and contact information for specific departments.
The Clerk's Office is the place to go for certified copies of criminal case dispositions and felony court filings in Lewis County.
Search Criminal Records in Lewis County
You have a few ways to look up criminal history in Lewis County. Free online tools let you check pending cases. In-person visits to the courthouse give you access to full case files and copies on the same day.
The eCourts platform includes WebCriminal, or WebCrims. This free tool shows pending criminal cases with upcoming court dates in Lewis County courts. You can search by case number, defendant name, or calendar date. No login is needed. Terminals at the courthouse also provide free access to the same system for walk-in users. Keep in mind this only covers pending cases, not closed ones.
For a broader search, the OCA Criminal History Record Search checks court records from all 62 New York counties. The fee is $95 per name. You can submit online or by mail. Results cover open cases and convictions but do not include sealed records. Search results are based on an exact name and date of birth match, so variations may not show up.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services holds the fingerprint-based statewide criminal history database. Access requires submitting fingerprints in person through IdentoGo. New York residents pay $14.25, out-of-state requesters pay $44.25, and the full personal review costs about $60.75. DCJS records are not public and are not available through FOIL.
Note: Lewis County is a rural county in the Tug Hill region. Court volumes are lower than urban counties, but all search methods described above still apply.
Lewis County Court and Case Access
Lewis County falls under the 5th Judicial District. The Lewis County Court at 5274 Outer Stowe Street handles felony criminal cases and major civil matters. The court can be reached at (315) 376-5334. Town and village courts spread across the county deal with misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and local violations.
Court records at the county level are maintained by the County Clerk, not the court itself. If you need a certified copy of a criminal disposition or a court filing, you go to the Clerk's Office. Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first four pages, then $1.25 per page after that. If you do not have the case index number, a search fee applies.
The state's Sex Offender Registry is maintained by DCJS under the Sex Offender Registration Act, effective January 21, 1996. For Level 2 and Level 3 offenders, you can search online. For Level 1 offenders, call 800-262-3257 with the person's name and one identifying detail such as a date of birth or address.
For people in state prison, the DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup is a free public tool. It covers inmates from 1982 through the present. You can search by name or Department Identification Number and see conviction data, sentence length, and release status.
FOIL Requests in Lewis County
New York's Freedom of Information Law, set out in Public Officers Law Article 6, gives the public the right to inspect government records. Lewis County agencies must acknowledge your FOIL request within 5 business days and then provide records or a written explanation within 20 business days.
To get arrest records or incident reports from the Lewis County Sheriff's Office, submit a written FOIL request to the agency at 5214 Outer Stowe Street, Lowville, NY 13367, or call (315) 376-3511 to ask about the process. For court records, contact the County Clerk at (315) 376-5336. Keep in mind that DCJS criminal history records are not subject to FOIL. Those require the formal fingerprint-based record review process. Active investigation files are also exempt from FOIL disclosure.
Note: Electronic records are sent by email when available. Paper copies cost $0.25 per page under standard FOIL rules.
Record Sealing in Lewis County
New York law provides several ways for criminal records to be sealed. Under CPL 160.50, records are fully sealed when a case ends in the defendant's favor. This covers dismissals, acquittals, and adjournments in contemplation of dismissal under CPL 170.55. CPL 160.55 allows partial sealing when charges are reduced to a violation. These rules apply to Lewis County cases just like anywhere else in the state.
The Clean Slate Act, which took effect November 16, 2024, sets up automatic sealing of eligible convictions once the Office of Court Administration builds the system. That process may take up to three years. Sex crimes and non-drug Class A felonies will not be sealed. Lewis County residents who want to know if their records qualify for sealing can contact the Oneida-Lewis Branch of the New York State Office of the Public Defender or reach out to legal aid programs that serve the North Country region.
The state screenshot below shows the DCJS portal, which is the starting point for statewide criminal history record requests in New York.
DCJS records cover sealed and unsealed history depending on the type of request. Public court searches through OCA only show unsealed convictions and open cases.
Nearby Counties
Lewis County borders several counties in the North Country and Mohawk Valley regions. If you are unsure which county handles a case, check where the arrest or incident took place.