People arrested by the NYPD are taken for initial processing to the precinct in which the arrest occurred. Within 4 to 6 hours they are then taken for further processing to Central Booking, located at the criminal court in the county of arrest. Once all processing and paperwork is complete, they await an appearance before a judge, called an arraignment. Arraignment usually happens within 24 hours of the arrest, and will probably be the first time you will be able to see your friend or loved-one following an arrest.

To find out the approximate time and courtroom of the arraignment, call Central Booking in the county of arrest and ask for the person’s Arrest Number. Once you have obtained the Arrest Number (or if there is none available), call the Criminal Court Arraignment Clerk to find out when and in what courtroom the person will be arraigned.

The New York City arraignment courts operate seven days a week, in two shifts: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Be sure to check the specific hours at the court to which you’ve been assigned.

Manhattan

• Central Booking: 212-347-2801
  New York County (Manhattan) Criminal Court: 646-386-4000
  Address: 100 Centre Street
  Directions: No. 4 or 5 train to Brooklyn Bridge Station; No. 6 train, N, R or C train to Canal Street; No. 1 train to Franklin Street; M1, M6 and M15 bus lines are nearby. 100 Centre Street is one block north of Worth Street, three blocks south of Canal Street.

Brooklyn

• Central Booking: 718-875-6319
  Kings County (Brooklyn) Criminal Court: 718-643-5296
  Address: 120 Schermerhorn Street
  Directions: Take the N, R or M train to the Lawrence Street Station; the G train to the Hoyt Street & Schermerhorn Street Station; the A, F or C train to the Jay Street Station; the 2, 3, 4 or 5 train to the Borough Hall Station.
  Take the B67, B41 or B45 bus line to Livingston Street & Smith Street; the B63 or B65 bus line to Atlantic Avenue & Smith Street.

Bronx

• Central Booking: 718-618-2400
  Arraignment Clerk: 718-618-3063
  Bronx County Criminal Court: 718-618-3100
  Bronx County Hall of Justice: 718-618-1000
  Address: 215 East 161st Street, near Sherman and Sheridan Avenues.
  Directions: Take the C, D or 4 train to Yankee Stadium/161st Street Station.
  Take the BX 6 or BX 13 to East 161st Street & Sheridan Avenue; the BX 1 to East 161st Street & Grand Concourse.

Queens

• Central Booking: 718-268-4523
  Queens County Clerk: 718-298-0792
  Queens County Criminal Court: 718-520-1985
  Address: 125-01 Queens Blvd (near Hoover Avenue and 82nd Avenue)
  Take the E or F train to the Union Turnpike Station.
  The Q60, Q37, Q74 and Q46 buses all have stops in close proximity to the building.

Staten Island

• Central Booking 718-876-8493
  Richmond County (Staten Island) Criminal Court 718-390-8400
  Note: On weekends, call the Brooklyn Arraignment Office 718-643-5675
  Address: 26 Central Avenue
  Directions: Staten Island ferry to St. George Terminal and walk up the hill to 26 Central Avenue

For more court contact information, view our Office Locator. 

The information in this document has been prepared by The Legal Aid Society for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. You should not act upon any information without retaining professional legal counsel.