New York State Safety Track is a database that tracks certain criminal convictions and arrests
New York State Safety Track is a public records system maintained by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. It contains information about arrests and convictions in New York State, including details about charges, outcomes, and sentences. The database is searchable by the public and is used by employers, landlords, licensing boards, and individuals who need to verify criminal history information.
The system pulls data from court records across New York's judicial system and updates regularly as new cases are processed. Not every arrest or conviction appears in Safety Track — the database focuses on felonies and certain misdemeanors, and records may be sealed or removed under specific circumstances. Understanding what Safety Track contains, who can search it, and how records get removed is important if you're checking your own history or trying to understand what shows up about you.
Key Takeaways
- Safety Track is a searchable public database of New York State arrests and convictions maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services.
- The database includes felonies and certain misdemeanors but does not include all arrests or convictions, and some records are sealed or removed by court order.
- You can search Safety Track yourself for free using the public portal on the New York State website to see what information appears under your name.
- Records can be removed from Safety Track if they are sealed, dismissed, or expunged under New York law, which requires a separate legal process.
- Employers and landlords commonly use Safety Track to check criminal history, so knowing what appears about you can help you prepare for background checks.
What information appears in Safety Track
Safety Track contains arrest records, charges filed, court outcomes, and sentences for cases processed through New York State courts. For each record, the database typically shows the arrest date, the charges, the disposition (whether the case was dismissed, resulted in conviction, or had another outcome), and the sentence if one was imposed. The system also includes information about probation and parole status for some records.
The database does not include traffic violations, violations (the lowest level of offense in New York), or most misdemeanors that result in only a fine or short jail sentence. Records that have been sealed by a court order, dismissed charges, and convictions that have been expunged under New York's sealing and expungement laws do not appear in the public Safety Track database. However, sealed records may still be visible to certain government agencies and employers in specific fields like law enforcement or child care.
How to search Safety Track for your own record
You can search the New York State Safety Track database yourself for free through the public portal on the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services website. To search, you will need to provide your name and date of birth. The search will return any records that match your information in the system.
If you find records about yourself in Safety Track, write down the case number, court, and charges listed. This information will be useful if you need to dispute an error, request that a record be sealed, or explain the record to an employer or landlord. If the information is incorrect — for example, if a charge was dismissed but still appears as a conviction — you can contact the court that handled the case to request a correction.
When records are removed from Safety Track
Records are removed from Safety Track when they are sealed, dismissed, or expunged under New York law. A sealed record is one that is hidden from public view but still exists in the court system. An expunged record is one that is destroyed or destroyed after a set period. New York allows certain records to be sealed or expunged depending on the type of charge and the outcome of the case.
In New York, most misdemeanor convictions can be sealed after a waiting period (usually one to three years depending on the offense). Felony convictions can also be sealed under certain circumstances. Charges that are dismissed or result in acquittal can often be sealed when ready. To remove a record from Safety Track, you must file a motion with the court that handled the case, usually with the help of an attorney. The court then issues an order to seal or expunge the record, and the Division of Criminal Justice Services updates Safety Track to remove it from public view.
Who uses Safety Track and why
Employers commonly use Safety Track to conduct background checks on job candidates, particularly for positions that involve working with vulnerable populations, handling money, or working in regulated industries. Landlords use it to screen tenants. Licensing boards use it to determine whether someone is may be able to access for a professional license. Government agencies use it for hiring and security clearance decisions.
Because Safety Track is public and widely used, knowing what appears about you can help you prepare for these checks. If you have a record in Safety Track, you may want to be proactive about explaining it to an employer or landlord rather than waiting for them to discover it. Some employers and landlords have policies about what types of convictions disqualify someone, and understanding those policies can help you decide whether to pursue a particular job or rental.
Correcting errors in Safety Track
If you believe information in Safety Track is inaccurate — for example, if a charge appears as a conviction when it was actually dismissed, or if the sentence is listed incorrectly — you can request a correction. Start by contacting the court that handled the case. Provide the court with documentation showing the correct information, such as a court order or judgment document.
The court will review your request and, if it agrees the record is incorrect, will notify the Division of Criminal Justice Services to update Safety Track. This process can take several weeks or months. If the court does not respond or denies your request, you may need to file a formal motion with the court or consult with an attorney about your options.
The difference between Safety Track and other criminal record systems
New York maintains several different criminal record systems, and it is important to understand which one you are looking at. Safety Track is the public database maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services and is the most commonly used by employers and landlords. The New York State Police maintains a separate fingerprint-based criminal history database used for background checks in certain contexts, such as gun purchases or employment in law enforcement.
Federal databases like the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) also contain criminal records, and these may show information that does not appear in Safety Track. When you request a background check through a private background check company, they may pull from multiple sources, including Safety Track, state police records, and federal databases. Understanding which system is being used can help you know what information might appear and where to go if you need to dispute something.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove my record from Safety Track myself?
No, you cannot remove your own record. You must file a motion with the court that handled the case, requesting that the record be sealed or expunged. Many people work with an attorney for this process, though you can file the motion yourself. The court then decides whether to grant your request.
Does Safety Track show arrests that did not result in conviction?
Safety Track shows arrests and their outcomes, which may include dismissals and acquittals. However, dismissed charges and acquittals can often be sealed by court order, in which case they would no longer appear in the public database. If an arrest was dismissed but still appears in Safety Track, you can request that it be sealed.
How often is Safety Track updated?
Safety Track is updated regularly as new cases are processed through New York courts, but there can be a delay between when a case is decided and when it appears in the database. Updates typically occur within weeks, but can sometimes take longer depending on the court's processing speed.
Will Safety Track show convictions from other states?
No, Safety Track only contains records from New York State courts. If you have a conviction in another state, it will not appear in Safety Track. However, employers and landlords may conduct searches in other states or use national background check databases that include out-of-state records.
What should I do if an employer finds incorrect information about me in Safety Track?
Contact the court that handled the case when ready with documentation showing the correct information. Ask the court to update its records and notify the Division of Criminal Justice Services. You may also want to contact the employer to explain the situation and let them know you are working to correct the record.