Division of Criminal Justice Services

Request DCJS Records through the state's Freedom of Information Law

The Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) – Article 6 (Sections 84-90) of the state's Public Officers Law – provides the public right to access records maintained by government agencies with certain exceptions. 

Record means any information kept, held, filed, produced or reproduced by, with, or for this agency, in any physical form whatsoever including, but not limited to, reports, statements, regulations, memoranda, opinions, folders, files, books, manuals, pamphlets, forms, papers, designs, drawings, maps, photos, and letters.

View the DCJS Subject Matter list pertaining to FOIL.

DCJS posts a wide variety of criminal justice data on its website. Please review the Statistics page prior to submitting a FOIL request to see if the data you seek is publicly available.

Please Note: An individual cannot use the FOIL process to request criminal history records. Criminal history records maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services are disclosed only if permitted by law and state regulation.

Individuals who wish to obtain their own criminal history should view the DCJS Record Review process and instructions.

Availability of Records

Upon appointment, public records maintained by DCJS are available for inspection or copying on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding legal holidays, at the agency's offices located at the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, 80 South Swan St., Albany, N.Y. 12210.

Make a FOIL Request

FOIL requests for records maintained by the DCJS must be submitted in writing to the agency's Records Access Officer. Please be as specific as possible in describing the records you seek.

Contact Information:

Records Access Officer
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
80 South Swan St., Albany, N.Y. 12210

Right to Appeal

To the extent you believe you have been denied access to a record by DCJS, you have 30 days from the date of the determination to take a written appeal. You may make an appeal by writing:

Colleen Glavin, FOIL Appeals Officer
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
80 South Swan St., Albany, N.Y. 12210
Appeals Email: foil@dcjs.ny.gov