Navigating the Process: How to Obtain Legal Documents in New York City for Past Criminal Offenses

Navigating the Process: How to Obtain Legal Documents in New York City for Past Criminal Offenses

By Brian Figeroux, Esq.  | Editorial Credit: Lev Radin/ shutterstock.com

In New York City, obtaining legal documents like a Certificate of Disposition or Plea and Sentencing Minutes for past criminal offenses is an essential process for various legal and personal purposes.

In New York City, obtaining legal documents like a Certificate of Disposition or Plea and Sentencing Minutes for past criminal offenses is an essential process for various legal and personal purposes. These documents are critical for verifying the outcome of criminal cases, appealing past convictions, addressing immigration matters, seeking employment, or for expungement purposes. Each of the five boroughs of New York City—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island—has its own procedures and contact points, although the general process is largely uniform across counties.

This analysis provides an in-depth look at how to obtain these documents, focusing on the requirements, fees, timelines, and contact information for each county. The process for obtaining these legal records is broken down into specific steps, and any nuanced differences between counties will be highlighted. The guide also provides relevant contact information, including addresses, phone numbers, and websites, ensuring that readers have a complete understanding of how to navigate the legal system in New York City for these records.

  1. Understanding the Certificate of Disposition and Plea & Sentencing Minutes

1.1 What is a Certificate of Disposition?

A Certificate of Disposition is an official court document that confirms the final outcome of a criminal case. It includes essential details such as:

  • The nature of the charges brought against an individual.
  • The plea entered (guilty, not guilty, etc.).
  • The verdict or final ruling of the case.
  • The sentence imposed (e.g., fines, probation, or incarceration).

This document is typically required for various reasons, including:

  • Employment applications: Many employers, particularly in regulated fields like healthcare or law enforcement, request a Certificate of Disposition to confirm that a candidate’s criminal case has been resolved.
  • Immigration cases: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) often requires these certificates when processing immigration applications, especially for green cards or naturalization.
  • Sealing or expunging records: Individuals seeking to seal or expunge their records may need to provide a Certificate of Disposition as part of the legal process.

1.2 What are Plea and Sentencing Minutes?

Plea and Sentencing Minutes are transcripts from the criminal court proceedings that detail the actual spoken record from the plea and sentencing phases of a criminal case. These records include:

  • The dialogue between the judge, attorneys, and defendant during the plea bargain stage.
  • The official sentencing statements delivered by the judge, including any justifications or considerations that influenced the decision.

These minutes may be required for:

  • Appeals: If an individual seeks to challenge their sentence or plea deal, they will need the plea and sentencing minutes to build their case.
  • Post-conviction relief: For those seeking to reduce a sentence, withdraw a guilty plea, or contest a conviction, these minutes are often a crucial part of the process.
  1. General Procedure for Obtaining Certificates and Minutes

The process for obtaining these records varies slightly between each borough of New York City, but the following steps provide a general guide applicable across all five counties.

2.1 Required Documents and Information

When requesting either a Certificate of Disposition or Plea and Sentencing Minutes, it is important to have the following details ready:

  • Full name (as it appeared during the criminal case).
  • Docket or case number (if known).
  • Date of birth.
  • Date of the arrest.
  • Court where the case was heard (e.g., Criminal Court, Supreme Court).

For some older cases, individuals may need to search through court records or contact the court’s records department for assistance in locating their case number or docket number.

2.2 In-Person Requests

Most counties require in-person requests for Certificates of Disposition and Plea & Sentencing Minutes. The individual requesting these documents must typically present a valid government-issued photo ID. The process for obtaining these records usually involves filling out a formal request form, paying a fee, and waiting for processing.

2.3 Fees

The fees for obtaining a Certificate of Disposition typically range from $10 to $15 depending on the county. Fees for transcripts like Plea and Sentencing Minutes can vary significantly based on the length of the proceedings, often calculated per page. In general, the cost per page is around $1.20 to $3.

2.4 Processing Time

  • Certificate of Disposition: Processing times range from 1 to 5 business days, but in some cases, it can take longer if the records are archived or if there are complications with the case.
  • Plea and Sentencing Minutes: These can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months depending on the court’s workload and how far back the case dates. Older cases may require more time if they are stored in an off-site archive.

2.5 Third-Party Requests

In certain circumstances, third parties, such as attorneys or family members, may request these records on behalf of an individual. In these cases, a notarized letter of authorization from the individual is usually required, along with valid identification for both the individual and the third party.

  1. County-Specific Information

3.1 Manhattan (New York County)

Manhattan Criminal Court and Manhattan Supreme Court handle most criminal cases within New York County.

Obtaining a Certificate of Disposition

  • Location: The Certificates of Disposition can be requested in person at the Criminal Court Records Room.
  • Address:
    Manhattan Criminal Court
    100 Centre Street, Room 150
    New York, NY 10013
  • Fee: $10
  • Processing Time: Typically 1-2 business days.

Obtaining Plea and Sentencing Minutes

  • Requests for these minutes are generally made in the courthouse where the case was heard.
  • Address for Supreme Court cases:
    New York County Supreme Court
    60 Centre Street
    New York, NY 10007
  • Contact Information:
    Phone: (646) 386-4511
    Website: New York County Courts

3.2 Brooklyn (Kings County)

In Brooklyn, requests for records are handled through the Kings County Criminal Court and Kings County Supreme Court.

Obtaining a Certificate of Disposition

  • Location: Kings County Criminal Court
    120 Schermerhorn Street
    Brooklyn, NY 11201
  • Fee: $10
  • Processing Time: 1-3 business days.

Obtaining Plea and Sentencing Minutes

  • Requests for Supreme Court cases are handled by the records department.
  • Address for Supreme Court cases:
    Kings County Supreme Court
    320 Jay Street
    Brooklyn, NY 11201
  • Contact Information:
    Phone: (347) 404-9000
    Website: Kings County Courts

3.3 Queens (Queens County)

The Queens Criminal Court and Queens Supreme Court manage criminal cases in Queens.

Obtaining a Certificate of Disposition

  • Location:
    Queens Criminal Court
    125-01 Queens Blvd.
    Kew Gardens, NY 11415
  • Fee: $10
  • Processing Time: 2-3 business days.

Obtaining Plea and Sentencing Minutes

  • Address for Supreme Court cases:
    Queens Supreme Court
    88-11 Sutphin Blvd.
    Jamaica, NY 11435
  • Contact Information:
    Phone: (718) 298-1400
    Website: Queens County Courts

3.4 The Bronx (Bronx County)

Bronx County processes records through its Bronx Criminal Court and Bronx Supreme Court.

Obtaining a Certificate of Disposition

  • Location:
    Bronx Criminal Court
    265 East 161st Street
    Bronx, NY 10451
  • Fee: $10
  • Processing Time: 3-5 business days.

Obtaining Plea and Sentencing Minutes

  • Address for Supreme Court cases:
    Bronx Supreme Court
    851 Grand Concourse
    Bronx, NY 10451
  • Contact Information:
    Phone: (718) 618-3000
    Website: Bronx County Courts

3.5 Staten Island (Richmond County)

Richmond County, which encompasses Staten Island, manages records through the Richmond County Criminal Court and Richmond County Supreme Court.

Obtaining a Certificate of Disposition

  • Location:
    Richmond County Criminal Court
    26 Central Avenue
    Staten Island, NY 10301
  • Fee: $10
  • Processing Time: 1-3 business days.

Obtaining Plea and Sentencing Minutes

  • Address for Supreme Court cases:
    Richmond County Supreme Court
    18 Richmond Terrace
    Staten Island, NY 10301
  • Contact Information:
    Phone: (718) 675-8700
    Website: Richmond County Courts
  1. Online Resources and Additional Assistance

4.1 Court Websites and Case Lookup Tools

  • NYC Criminal Court Website: https://www.nycourts.gov/COURTS/nyc/criminal/
  • NYC Supreme Court Websites:
    For each borough’s Supreme Court, you can visit the general site for New York State Courts and navigate to the relevant borough:

4.2 Public Record Requests and FOIL Requests

If you are seeking more comprehensive records that go beyond just the Certificate of Disposition or Plea and Sentencing Minutes, you may need to file a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request. FOIL requests can be submitted to obtain certain public records from New York State agencies.

  • How to File a FOIL Request:
    Visit the New York State FOIL Request Portal.

Conclusion

Obtaining a Certificate of Disposition or Plea and Sentencing Minutes for past criminal offenses in New York City can be a straightforward process if you know which county to contact and understand the steps involved. Each county operates its own courts and records departments, so it is essential to follow the specific guidelines for the relevant borough. By using this guide, individuals can streamline the process and ensure that they have all the necessary documentation and information ready, whether for personal, legal, or employment-related purposes.

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