Clinton County Public Records /Clinton County Court Records

Clinton County Court Records

What Is Clinton County Court Records

Court records in Clinton County, New York, are official documents generated by the judicial system in the course of legal proceedings. These records encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records. Each document type serves a distinct function: dockets provide a chronological index of case activity, pleadings contain the formal allegations and responses of parties, and judgments reflect the court's final determinations.

Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level. Property records, vital records such as birth and death certificates, and administrative agency records are held by separate offices and governed by different statutory frameworks. Court records, by contrast, are generated exclusively through judicial proceedings and are maintained by the clerk of the court in which the matter was heard.

The following courts in Clinton County maintain official court records:

Supreme Court – handles major civil and criminal matters
County Court – hears felony criminal cases and civil matters above a threshold amount
Family Court – addresses custody, support, adoption, and juvenile matters
Surrogate's Court – oversees probate, estate administration, and guardianship proceedings
City Court (Plattsburgh City Court) – handles misdemeanors, violations, and civil claims up to $15,000
Town and Village Justice Courts – process traffic infractions, violations, and minor criminal matters
Small Claims Court – resolves monetary disputes up to $5,000 (or $3,000 in Justice Courts)

Records maintained across these courts cover civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. Under New York Judiciary Law § 255, court clerks are required to maintain accurate records of all proceedings and make them available in accordance with applicable law.

Are Court Records Public In Clinton County

Court records in Clinton County are presumptively open to the public under New York law. The New York Civil Rights Law § 52 affirms the right of public access to judicial proceedings and records, reflecting the principle that open courts serve the interests of transparency and accountability. Most civil case files, criminal case files following the filing of charges, judgments, orders, docket sheets, and hearing schedules are available for public inspection.

Members of the public may inspect the following categories of records without demonstrating a specific legal interest:

Civil case filings and supporting documents
Criminal case files after arraignment or indictment
Final judgments and court orders
Docket sheets and case indexes
Sentencing records in criminal matters
Probate filings and estate inventories

It is important to distinguish between state and federal court records. Records from the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, which has jurisdiction over federal matters arising in Clinton County, are governed by federal law and accessed through the federal PACER system rather than through county offices.

Certain records are sealed or restricted by statute or court order. These include juvenile delinquency records, sealed criminal records under New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records in family offense proceedings, and adoption records. The New York State Unified Court System's Office of Court Administration establishes administrative rules governing access to court records statewide.

How To Find Court Records in Clinton County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Clinton County may access them through several official channels. The process varies depending on the court type and the age of the record.

In-Person Access: Individuals may visit the Clinton County Clerk's Office, which serves as the official repository for Supreme Court and County Court records. Staff at the public counter can assist with locating case files, providing certified copies, and processing record requests.

Written or Mail Requests: Requests for certified copies of court records may be submitted in writing to the appropriate court clerk. Written requests should include the full case name, index number or docket number, the type of document requested, and the requester's contact information. Applicable copy and certification fees must accompany the request.

Online Access: The New York State Unified Court System provides online access to certain court records through its eCourts case search portal, which covers Supreme Court civil matters. Additional online tools are described in the section below.

Third-Party Requests: Attorneys and authorized parties may access additional records through the New York State Courts Electronic Filing system (NYSCEF), which allows electronic submission and retrieval of documents in participating courts.

How To Look Up Court Records in Clinton County Online?

Several official online portals currently provide access to Clinton County court records, depending on the court and case type.

New York State Unified Court System – WebCivil Supreme: The WebCivil Supreme portal allows users to search Supreme Court civil case information statewide, including Clinton County. Users may search by party name, attorney name, or index number. The portal displays case status, motion information, and court dates.

NYSCEF – New York State Courts Electronic Filing: The NYSCEF system provides electronic access to filed documents in cases that participate in e-filing. Clinton County Supreme Court civil matters are increasingly processed through this system. Registered users may view and download filed documents.

WebCriminal: The WebCriminal portal provides access to criminal case information for County Court and Supreme Court criminal matters. Users may search by defendant name or case number to retrieve docket information and case status.

Search Steps for WebCivil Supreme:

Navigate to the WebCivil Supreme portal
Select "Search by Party Name" or "Search by Index Number"
Enter the county as "Clinton"
Input the available search criteria
Review the case list and select the relevant matter
View case details, motion history, and scheduled appearances

How To Search Clinton County Court Records for Free?

New York law currently guarantees the right of public inspection of court records at no charge. Members of the public may review records in person at the courthouse without paying a fee. Fees apply only when requesting copies or certified documents.

The following online resources are free to search:

WebCivil Supreme – free case status and docket searches for Supreme Court civil matters
WebCriminal – free criminal case lookups for County Court and Supreme Court criminal cases
eCourts – free access to case information across participating New York courts

Certified copies of court documents are subject to statutory fees established by the New York State Legislature. The Clinton County Clerk's Office, which handles Supreme and County Court filings, publishes its current fee schedule on its official website. Individuals who qualify under financial hardship provisions may petition the court for a fee waiver pursuant to applicable court rules.

What's Included in a Clinton County Court Record?

The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents:

Civil Court Records:

Summons and complaint
Answers and counterclaims
Motions and supporting affidavits
Court orders and decisions
Judgments and satisfaction of judgment filings
Deposition transcripts and exhibits

Criminal Court Records:

Indictment or information
Arraignment records
Bail and release orders
Plea agreements
Trial transcripts
Sentencing minutes and orders of commitment

Family Court Records:

Petitions for custody, visitation, or support
Orders of protection
Dispositional orders in juvenile matters
Adoption decrees (restricted)

Surrogate's Court Records:

Wills and probate petitions
Letters testamentary and letters of administration
Inventories and accountings
Guardianship orders

Traffic and Violation Records:

Accusatory instruments
Plea and disposition records
License suspension orders

How Long Does Clinton County Keep Court Records?

New York courts are required to retain court records in accordance with retention schedules established by the New York State Archives and the Office of Court Administration. Retention periods vary by record type and court level.

Current retention periods for common record categories include:

Supreme Court civil case files: Permanently retained for cases involving judgments; others retained for a minimum of 10 years after disposition
County Court criminal case files: Permanently retained for felony convictions; others retained for a minimum of 10 years
Family Court records: Retained for a minimum of 10 years after the youngest party reaches adulthood, with certain records retained permanently
Surrogate's Court records: Wills and probate records are retained permanently
Justice Court records: Retained for a minimum of 7 years for most matters
Small Claims records: Retained for a minimum of 5 years after disposition

The New York State Archives publishes the official Records Retention and Disposition Schedule CO-2 for county government records, which governs the retention of court-related documents maintained at the county level. Courts are prohibited from destroying records before the expiration of the applicable retention period.

Types of Courts In Clinton County

Clinton County is served by several courts operating within the New York State Unified Court System. The court hierarchy proceeds from local Justice Courts at the base, through City Court, to County Court and Supreme Court, and ultimately to the Appellate Division and the New York Court of Appeals at the state level.

Supreme Court and County Court (Clinton County)

Clinton County Clerk's Office 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 (518) 565-4700 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Clinton County Clerk's Office

Plattsburgh City Court 24 US Oval, Plattsburgh, NY 12903 (518) 536-3900 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Plattsburgh City Court

Clinton County Family Court 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 (518) 565-4658 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Clinton County Family Court

Clinton County Surrogate's Court 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 (518) 565-4630 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Clinton County Surrogate's Court

Town and Village Justice Courts operate throughout Clinton County in municipalities including Beekmantown, Champlain, Chazy, Ellenburg, Mooers, Peru, Plattsburgh (Town), Saranac, and Schuyler Falls, among others.

What Types of Cases Do Clinton County Courts Hear?

Each court within Clinton County has defined subject matter jurisdiction governing the types of cases it may hear.

Supreme Court: Hears major civil matters without a monetary ceiling, felony criminal cases when assigned, and matrimonial actions including divorce and annulment.

County Court: Has jurisdiction over felony criminal prosecutions and civil matters where the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000. Also hears appeals from lower courts.

Plattsburgh City Court: Handles misdemeanor criminal cases, violations, civil claims up to $15,000, landlord-tenant proceedings, and small claims up to $5,000.

Family Court: Adjudicates matters involving child custody and visitation, child support, paternity, juvenile delinquency, persons in need of supervision (PINS), family offenses, and foster care proceedings.

Surrogate's Court: Oversees the probate of wills, administration of decedents' estates, guardianship of minors and incapacitated persons, and adoption proceedings.

Town and Village Justice Courts: Process traffic infractions, vehicle and traffic law violations, misdemeanors, violations of local ordinances, civil claims up to $3,000, and small claims up to $3,000.

How To Find a Court Docket In Clinton County

A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, orders, and proceedings in a case. Members of the public may access Clinton County court dockets through the following methods:

Online Search:

The WebCivil Supreme portal provides docket information for Supreme Court civil cases in Clinton County
The WebCriminal portal provides docket access for County Court and Supreme Court criminal matters
NYSCEF provides docket access for electronically filed cases

In-Person Search: Members of the public may visit the Clinton County Clerk's Office during regular business hours to request docket sheets for Supreme Court and County Court matters. Staff can retrieve docket information by case name or index number.

Steps to Search a Docket Online:

Select the appropriate portal based on case type (civil or criminal)
Enter the county as "Clinton"
Provide the party name, index number, or docket number
Review the returned case list and select the correct matter
Access the docket entries, which display filings, motions, orders, and scheduled dates

For City Court and Justice Court dockets, members of the public must contact the relevant court directly, as these records are not currently available through statewide online portals.

Which Courts in Clinton County Are Not Courts of Record?

A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented, preserved, and subject to appellate review. Courts not of record do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings and generally have more limited jurisdiction.

Under New York law, Town and Village Justice Courts are currently classified as courts not of record. This designation means that proceedings in these courts are not transcribed verbatim as a matter of course, and appeals from Justice Court decisions are typically heard as new trials (de novo) in County Court rather than as reviews of a written record.

The following Justice Courts in Clinton County operate as courts not of record:

Town of Beekmantown Justice Court
Town of Champlain Justice Court
Town of Chazy Justice Court
Town of Ellenburg Justice Court
Town of Mooers Justice Court
Town of Peru Justice Court
Town of Plattsburgh Justice Court
Town of Saranac Justice Court
Town of Schuyler Falls Justice Court
Various Village Justice Courts within the county

New York Uniform Justice Court Act § 2020 governs the procedures applicable to Justice Courts and addresses the distinction between courts of record and courts not of record in New York State. By contrast, the Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate's Court, and City Court are all courts of record, meaning their proceedings are documented and preserved for appellate purposes.

Lookup Court Records in Clinton County

Clinton County Clerk's Office – handles fees, fines, filings, and certifying court records for Supreme and County Courts in Clinton County