Allegheny County Arrest Records

In Allegheny County, arrests happen when law enforcement has probable cause that an individual has committed a crime. Inmates are typically held at the Allegheny County Jail, pending court proceedings or transfer to a state facility.

County law enforcement agencies are responsible for generating arrest records, including arrest details, charges, and booking information. Like Allegheny County Court Records, these records provide a comprehensive view of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system.

Are Arrest Records Public in Allegheny County?

Yes, Pennsylvania law considers Allegheny County arrest records primarily public documents. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. §§ 67.101 - 67.3104) grants the public the right to access government records, including arrest records.

However, specific records and information are restricted by statute and not accessible to the public, including:

• Ongoing Investigations: Information related to investigations can be kept from public view to protect the integrity of ongoing criminal inquiries, ensuring that investigations are not compromised and that the rights of those involved, particularly victims, informants, and witnesses, are safeguarded.
• Expunged Records: Arrest records that have been expunged or sealed are not available to the public.
• Juvenile Records: Records concerning juvenile offenders are typically kept confidential under the Juvenile Act (42 Pa.C.S. § 6307). Access to juvenile arrest records is limited to certain entities, including law enforcement personnel, parole boards, and parties involved in the case.
• Other exceptions as outlined in 65 P.S. § 67.708.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Per 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102, the following information in an Allegheny arrest record is accessible to the public:

• Arrestee's full name and any aliases
• Date of birth
• Physical description (race, weight, height, eye and hair color, identifying marks)
• Date and location of the arrest
• Name of the arresting agency and officer
• Reason for the arrest and specific charges
• Associated case number
• Detailed list of charges, including statutory references
• Classification of charges (misdemeanor, felony, etc.).

Allegheny County Crime Rate

Data from the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System shows that Allegheny County reported 325,352 crimes in 2023, a 4% increase compared to 2022. Property crimes were the most reported offenses. The most common offenses within this category were larceny (47%; 154,371), motor vehicle theft (11%; 34,452), and burglary (6%; 18,345). Violent crimes included aggravated assault, simple assault, and robbery. Aggravated assault made up 7% (22,131). Simple assault constituted 25% (81,640) of the reported crimes, while robbery accounted for 3% (8,333).

Allegheny County Arrest Statistics

Per the Pennsylvania UCR arrest statistics, Allegheny County reported 7,968 arrests in 2023. Larceny-theft arrests made up 31% (2,462) of the total arrests, followed by aggravated assault (13%; 1,062) and robbery (3%; 267). Burglary arrests comprised 3% (231) of the total, and motor vehicle theft arrests represented 2% (147) of the total arrests.

Find Allegheny County Arrest Records

To find arrested persons in Allegheny County, contact the arresting agency. For instance, if the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office made the arrest, visit in person or call the Sheriff’s Office using the contact information below:

436 Grant Street
Courthouse, 111
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 350-4700
Fax: (412) 350-6388
Email: info@sheriffalleghenycounty.com.

Free Arrest Record Search in Allegheny County

To obtain free arrest records in Allegheny County, visit the agency responsible for the arrest. While basic information may be accessible, a nominal fee might be required to cover the costs of document reproduction, copying, and authentication.

Alternatively, individuals can use third-party online services that provide free access to county arrest records. However, it is essential to note that these third-party online search services are not affiliated with county law enforcement agencies. Consequently, the accuracy of the information retrieved from these sites cannot be guaranteed.

Get Allegheny County Criminal Records

Criminal records, also known as criminal histories or rap sheets, are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records include arrests, charges, convictions, and incarcerations. These documents provide a comprehensive view of a person's criminal activities and are used by law enforcement, employers, and various agencies for background checks, legal proceedings, and security clearances.

Pennsylvania's Criminal History Information Act, Chapter 91 of Title 18, Crimes Code, grants eligible entities access to Allegheny County criminal history records via the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system.

To access criminal history records, follow these steps:

• Visit the PATCH website
• Click "Submit New Record Check"
• Fill out and submit the application form
• Pay the $22.00 service fee.

For additional information, contact the record custodian at:

Pennsylvania State Police
Central Repository – 164
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
Phone: (888) 783-7972

Allegheny County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Criminal records and arrest records in Allegheny County serve different purposes. Arrest records document incidents where an individual has been arrested by law enforcement, including details such as the date, location, reason for arrest, and charges. These records primarily reflect law enforcement actions and do not necessarily indicate guilt or conviction.

On the other hand, criminal records encompass a broader spectrum of an individual's criminal history. They include information about arrests, charges filed, court proceedings, convictions, and any related penalties or sentences. Criminal records provide a comprehensive overview of a person's interactions with the judicial system, including arrest and conviction information.

In short, arrest records focus on specific instances of law enforcement involvement, while criminal records provide a more comprehensive view of an individual's criminal history, including arrest and court outcomes.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. Arrest records in Pennsylvania typically remain on an individual's record unless they are expunged or sealed. Expungement may be possible under certain conditions, such as if charges were dismissed or the person was acquitted. Convictions for certain offenses may also be eligible for expungement after a specified period without further legal issues.

Expunge Allegheny County Arrest Records

Records expungement and sealing are different. Expungement completely removes a record, making it inaccessible to the public and most agencies, allowing individuals to deny its existence legally. Sealing hides a record from public view but keeps it accessible to law enforcement and certain agencies. Expungement treats the record as if it never occurred; sealing acknowledges its existence but restricts access.

Pennsylvania's "Clean Slate" law automatically seals minor, non-violent cases from public records if a specific timeframe elapses without felony or misdemeanor convictions.

To qualify for Clean Slate, individuals must meet certain conditions:

• The arrest did not lead to criminal charges.
• Laid charges dismissed or the court acquitted the person.

A person benefits from Clean Slate if they have non-traffic citations or 2nd and 3rd-degree misdemeanors with a maximum prison sentence of two years. However, they must have settled all fines and probation fees and maintained a clean record for ten years post-conviction. Once Clean Slate seals a record, only authorized entities like law enforcement, prosecutors, and certain authorized persons can access it.

In the broader scope, expungement of Allegheny County arrest records is a legal process through which certain records can be cleared from an individual's criminal history. The eligibility for expungement and the process involved is governed by Pennsylvania state law:

• Non-Conviction Records: Individuals can request expungement if the charges were dismissed, withdrawn, or if they were found not guilty per 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.
• An individual can initiate the expungement process after 18 months from the arrest and with no pending court actions.
• Minor Liquor Offense: Individuals aged 21 or older, convicted of purchasing or possessing alcohol at 18, can petition for expungement if all sentence conditions are met.
• Unconditional Pardon: If a person receives an unconditional pardon, they can seek expungement.
• Summary Offenses: If convicted of a summary offense, an individual can seek expungement after five years of arrest-free behavior.
• Age-Based Expungement: According to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, Individuals aged 70 or older may apply for expungement if they have been arrest-free for ten years following their release from supervision.
• Expungement cannot be ordered for certain offenses involving victims under 18, including rape, sexual assault, and other serious sexual crimes, if the defendant was placed in an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program.

Expungement process for the eligible:

• Individuals must request a copy of their records from the Pennsylvania State Police by completing FORM SP4-170 and mailing it with proper identification (e.g., state-issued I.D. with current address) and a $20.00 fee to the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository.
• Submit a petition detailing personal information, case specifics, and reasons for expungement.
• If the court approves the petition, the notice of expungement will promptly be submitted to the central repository. This repository will then notify all criminal justice agencies that have received the criminal history record information to have them expunged.

Allegheny County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Allegheny County is a legitimate document issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing law enforcement to arrest an individual. Warrants are typically issued when there is reason to believe a person has committed a crime, as established under Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 513. They are typically issued when an individual is suspected of committing a crime, fails to appear in court as required, or when an immediate arrest is necessary to prevent further criminal activity or flight during an ongoing investigation.

Allegheny County arrest warrants are issued based on probable cause supported by affidavits. The issuing authority may use advanced communication technology to submit and issue warrants. Before submission, the affiant must communicate with the issuing authority in person, by telephone, or through a device allowing simultaneous audio-visual communication, during which the authority verifies the affiant's identity and administers an oath.

An Allegheny County Arrest Warrant shows the following information:

• The Name of the Defendant: Identifies the individual to be arrested.
• The Offense Charged: Describes the specific crime the individual is accused of committing.
• The Date of Issuance: Indicates when the warrant was issued.
• Jurisdiction of the warrant.
• A Command for Arrest: Directs law enforcement to arrest the individual.
• Signature of Issuing Authority: The warrant must be signed by the judge or magistrate who issued it.
• Description of the Defendant: Provides physical description or other identifying information about the individual.

Allegheny County Arrest Warrant Search

Warrant information is under the purview of the Warrant Office. However, the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office does not provide arrest warrant information over the phone. Interested parties must visit the office in person. It's advisable to bring a government-issued I.D. for verification.

436 Grant Street Courthouse
Room 111
Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
Phone: (412) 350-4700
Fax: (412) 350-6388
Email: info@sheriffalleghenycounty.com.

Do Allegheny County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Allegheny County arrest warrants generally do not expire and remain active until executed or recalled by the issuing authority. Factors affecting their status include the severity of the crime, successful apprehension of the individual, and legal proceedings such as quashing the warrant. The issuing authority may periodically review warrants, but they typically stay in effect indefinitely.