Westchester County Arrest Records
Westchester County arrest records and busted mugshots are handled by the Westchester County Department of Correction at the Grasslands Campus in Valhalla. Commissioner Joseph K. Spano oversees the department, which runs a jail for males and females age 16 and older, plus a penitentiary for males serving up to one year. Both facilities hold ACA accreditation and NCCHC medical certification. This page covers how to access arrest records, look up inmates, and file records requests in Westchester County.
Westchester County Arrest Records at a Glance
Westchester County Department of Correction
The Westchester County Department of Correction is at 10 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY 10595. The main phone number is (914) 231-1000. Commissioner Joseph K. Spano runs the department. It sits on the Grasslands Campus, which also hosts other county services. The DOC is the primary custodian of booking records and mugshots for people arrested in Westchester County.
The department operates two facilities. The county jail holds males and females age 16 and older who are awaiting trial or serving short sentences. The penitentiary holds males serving sentences of up to one year. Both facilities are accredited by the American Correctional Association. Medical services have NCCHC certification. These accreditations mean the facilities meet national standards, which extends to how records are kept.
When someone is arrested in Westchester County, the booking process happens at the jail. Staff take a mugshot, record personal details, and log the charges. The arrest record becomes part of the DOC's system. To request that record, you contact the department's Records Access Officer.
Westchester County Jail and Penitentiary Busted Mugshots
The jail at Grasslands Campus handles the bulk of new bookings. Pre-trial detainees make up a large portion of the jail population. These are people who have been arrested but not yet tried. Their booking records include the charges, bail amount, court dates, and mugshot. The penitentiary holds sentenced inmates. Their records include the sentence length and any disciplinary actions during their time inside.
Westchester County has a population of about one million people. That means a high volume of arrests and bookings. The county has dozens of local police departments in its cities, towns, and villages. When those departments make arrests, the booking often goes through the county system. That makes the DOC the central point for arrest records across the whole county.
The image above shows the New York State Open Data Portal. This resource may contain aggregate data on arrests and corrections in Westchester County and across the state.
To check if someone is currently in the jail or penitentiary, call (914) 231-1000. Give the staff the person's name and date of birth. They can confirm custody status and basic booking info. For copies of records, file a FOIL request.
How to Request Westchester County Arrest Records
Under New York's Freedom of Information Law, you can request records from the Westchester County DOC. FOIL applies to arrest records, booking data, mugshots, and other government documents. Write to the Records Access Officer at 10 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY 10595. No special form is needed. Describe the records you want as specifically as you can.
The agency has five business days to respond. They can grant, deny, or acknowledge your request and take up to 20 more business days. Copies cost $0.25 per page. If you need digital copies and the records are already in that format, the agency may provide them at no cost. Always ask about format and fees when you file your request.
Some records are off limits. Under CPL §160.50, cases that ended in dismissal, acquittal, or certain other outcomes are sealed. Sealed records cannot be released. The DOC will deny your request and cite the statute. You can appeal a denial to the commissioner and then to the Committee on Open Government if the appeal fails.
Westchester County also has a large district attorney's office and county police department. Each has its own Records Access Officer. If you want records from a specific agency, send your request to that agency. The DOC handles corrections records. The county police handle investigation records. The DA holds prosecution files.
State Resources for Westchester County Busted Mugshots
The DOCCS Incarcerated Individual Lookup covers people in New York State prisons. If someone from Westchester County was sentenced to more than one year, search for them here. The tool is free and shows facility, sentence, and parole information.
The WebCrims system tracks criminal court cases across New York. Search for Westchester County cases to get charges, case status, and court appearance dates. No mugshots. But the case number helps when you request records from the court clerk.
The New York Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders by county. Westchester has a large number of listings given its population. The DCJS record review costs $95 and lets you check your own statewide criminal history.
Westchester County Court Records
Westchester County is in the Ninth Judicial District. The county court in White Plains handles felony cases. City courts in Yonkers, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, White Plains, and other municipalities handle misdemeanors within their jurisdictions. Town and village courts handle lower-level cases in suburban areas. Each court keeps its own files.
Court records and arrest records are different systems. The arrest record comes from booking at the DOC. The court record tracks a case from filing through resolution. Both are public unless sealed. For a full picture of someone's criminal case, you may need records from both the DOC and the court where the case was heard.
Westchester has a busy court system. The volume of cases means that the clerk's offices handle many records requests. Be patient and be specific. The more detail you provide in your request, the faster they can locate the right file. Include case numbers, names, and dates whenever possible.
Cities and Towns in Westchester County
Westchester County has several cities and towns with their own arrest records pages on this site. Each has local police departments that handle arrests within their borders. Booking for county-held inmates goes through the DOC at Grasslands.