Tonawanda Arrest Records
Arrest records in the Town of Tonawanda come from the Tonawanda Police Department, which runs its own force out of 1835 Sheridan Drive in Buffalo. The town sits in Erie County, so the Erie County Sheriff also plays a role in jail intake and custody. Tonawanda is not the same as the City of North Tonawanda, which has its own police and courts. If you are looking for booking data, mugshots, or court case info from Tonawanda, this page walks through every source and how to file a records request.
Tonawanda Arrest Records at a Glance
Tonawanda Police Department Busted Mugshots
The Tonawanda Police Department is at 1835 Sheridan Drive, Buffalo, NY 14223. Chief Paul B. Hallett leads the department. For general calls, dial (716) 877-9933. The records division has its own line at (716) 877-9945.
All arrests made by Tonawanda police go through booking at the station. Mugshots, fingerprints, and charges are logged during this process. The department holds these records and releases them through FOIL. You need to file a written request to get copies.
Records hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. Walk-ins can ask for copies of police reports and arrest data in person. Phone requests also work for simple lookups. Complex or bulk requests should be in writing.
Keep in mind that the City of North Tonawanda is a separate place with its own police. If the arrest happened in North Tonawanda, you need to contact that city's department instead. The Town of Tonawanda is much larger in both area and population.
How to File a FOIL Request in Tonawanda
New York's Freedom of Information Law gives you the right to access arrest records, booking photos, and police reports from Tonawanda PD. File your FOIL request in writing. Include the person's full name, date of birth if you have it, and the date or time frame of the arrest.
Send it to Tonawanda Police Department, Records Division, 1835 Sheridan Drive, Buffalo, NY 14223. You can also call (716) 877-9945 to ask about the process. The department must respond within five business days to say it got your request. Actual records take longer.
Copies cost $0.25 per page. There is no charge to submit the request itself. If you get denied, you can appeal within 30 days. Most denials happen because of sealed records under CPL 160.50, which seals dismissed cases and acquittals automatically.
The Clean Slate Act changes things for older records. Misdemeanors seal after three years, and some felonies seal after eight years from the end of the sentence. Violent felonies and sex crimes do not seal. This means some older Tonawanda arrest records may no longer be available even through FOIL.
Erie County Jail and Tonawanda Bookings
After an arrest in Tonawanda, the person may be held at the Erie County Holding Center if bail is set and not posted. The Holding Center is at 40 Delaware Avenue in downtown Buffalo. Call (716) 858-7638 for inmate inquiries.
The Erie County Sheriff publishes a jail roster in PDF format. It lists current inmates at the Holding Center and the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden. This roster updates regularly and is one of the fastest ways to check if someone from Tonawanda is in custody.
Longer sentences under one year go to the correctional facility at 11581 Walden Avenue, Alden, NY. Phone is (716) 937-9101. State prison sentences route through DOCCS. Use the DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup to search for anyone sentenced to state time from Tonawanda or anywhere else in New York.
Tonawanda Court Records and Case Lookup
Tonawanda Town Court is at 1835 Sheridan Drive, the same address as the police department. Call (716) 877-9926. The court handles traffic tickets, violations, misdemeanors, and arraignments for local arrests.
Felony cases get moved to Erie County Supreme Court after grand jury indictment. You can track pending criminal cases through WebCrims, the state court system's online search tool. Search by name or case number. It shows upcoming court dates and current charges but not closed cases.
For a full criminal history check, the DCJS Record Review costs $65 and uses fingerprints. The OCA statewide search through the court system costs $95 and goes by name and date of birth. The CHRS portal is how you submit the OCA request online.
Tonawanda Busted Mugshots and State Databases
The Sex Offender Registry covers all of Erie County including Tonawanda. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders show up in online searches. Level 1 offenders need a phone call to 800-262-3257.
DOCCS tracks anyone from Tonawanda serving time in state prison. The lookup is free and shows the facility, crime, and earliest release date. Parole info is also available through DOCCS for people who have been released and are under supervision.
Erie County Central Police Services at 45 Elm Street, (716) 858-6100, can help when you are not sure which agency made an arrest. They coordinate between Tonawanda PD, the sheriff, and other agencies across the county. This is a useful starting point for older records where the arresting agency is unclear.
Tonawanda County Records
Tonawanda is part of Erie County. For full county-level arrest records, jail data, and court info, visit the Erie County page.