Find Rochester Busted Mugshots
Rochester arrest records come from two primary agencies: the Rochester Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. RPD is a large department with about 850 staff members serving 210,500 residents across 37.1 square miles. The department has been accredited by New York State since 1990. When someone is arrested in Rochester, booking and mugshots are processed through the city or county system depending on the agency involved. This page covers every method for finding busted mugshots and arrest records connected to Rochester.
Rochester Arrest Records at a Glance
Rochester Police Department Arrest Records
The Rochester Police Department is organized into three bureaus and four patrol sections covering the entire city. RPD handles all arrests within Rochester city limits. The department has held New York State accreditation since 1990, which means it follows standardized record-keeping procedures.
Arrest records from RPD are available through FOIL requests. Submit your request in writing to the Rochester Police Department. Include the person's name, date of birth if available, and the date or approximate period of the arrest. The more specific your request, the faster it gets processed.
RPD's four patrol sections divide the city geographically. Each section handles its own calls and arrests, but records all go into the central system. Whether the arrest happened in the Lake Section, Genesee Section, Clinton Section, or Goodman Section, the records process is the same.
The department also has specialized units for narcotics, major crimes, and tactical operations. Records from these units follow the same FOIL procedures as regular patrol arrests.
Monroe County Sheriff and Rochester Jail Records
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office at 130 South Plymouth Avenue, (585) 753-4178, runs the county jail and handles inmates from Rochester arrests. The jail has 1,217 beds and holds people awaiting trial, those unable to post bail, and those serving sentences of one year or less.
The sheriff publishes a jail roster in PDF format online. This roster lists current inmates with their names, charges, and booking information. It updates regularly and is one of the quickest ways to check if someone from a Rochester arrest is in county custody.
To get detailed booking records or arrest reports from the sheriff, file a FOIL request. The sheriff's office handles its own FOIL independently from RPD. If the arrest was made by a sheriff's deputy, the records sit with the sheriff. If RPD made the arrest and the person went to the county jail, both agencies may have relevant records.
The sheriff also runs inmate programs and manages court transport. For questions about a specific inmate's status, call the jail directly. Staff can confirm whether someone is in custody and provide bail information.
FOIL and Busted Mugshots in Rochester
Under the Freedom of Information Law, arrest records from both RPD and the Monroe County Sheriff are public. That includes booking photos, arrest reports, and incident documentation. The law covers all government agencies in New York.
Sealed records are the exception. CPL 160.50 seals records when charges are dismissed or the person is acquitted. These records cannot be released to anyone. The Clean Slate Act, effective November 16, 2024, also seals older convictions automatically. Misdemeanors seal three years after the sentence ends. Some felonies seal after eight years. Sex crimes and violent felonies do not qualify.
Copies cost $0.25 per page from either agency. There is no fee to file the FOIL request itself. Each agency has five business days to acknowledge receipt. Complex requests may take weeks or months depending on the volume of records involved.
Rochester Court Records Search
Rochester City Court handles misdemeanor arraignments and trials. Felony cases go to Monroe County Supreme Court. Both courts are in downtown Rochester near the government center.
WebCrims shows pending criminal cases in Monroe County courts. Search by name or docket number. The system lists charges, court dates, and case status. Concluded cases are removed.
The DCJS Record Review provides a fingerprint-based statewide criminal history search for $65. The OCA name-based search costs $95. Both are thorough but neither is instant.
State databases round out the picture. The DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup shows state prison inmates. The Sex Offender Registry covers Level 2 and 3 offenders online, with Level 1 available by phone at 800-262-3257.
Rochester County Records
Rochester is the county seat of Monroe County. For full county-level arrest records and court data, visit the Monroe County page.