Pittsburgh Arrest Records

An arrest in Pittsburgh typically occurs when a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime or when they hold a valid arrest warrant issued by a judge. Probable cause can arise from witnessing a crime in progress, reliable witness statements, or investigative evidence gathered by detectives.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is the primary agency responsible for creating and maintaining arrest records in the city. Arrest records typically include information about the individual arrested, the nature of the arrest, and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.

Arrest records are closely linked to the Pennsylvania Court Records. Once an individual is taken into custody, they are first processed at the Allegheny County Jail for booking. After the charges are filed, the case is recorded in the county's court system.

Are Arrest Records Public in Pittsburgh?

Per the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, arrest records held by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police are public records. Any person may view or obtain copies of arrest records in the city, unless such records are explicitly exempt from public disclosure. Under state law, the following arrest records or information on arrest records are excluded from public view:

• Sealed or expunged arrest records
• Juvenile arrest records
• Ongoing investigation and grand jury proceedings
• Personal identifying information, such as Social Security Numbers, home addresses, and medical and mental health information, contained in an arrest record
• Crime victims and witnesses' information

Persons interested in accessing Pittsburgh arrest records may contact:

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Headquarters
1203 Western Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15233

Pittsburgh Arrest Statistics

In 2023, the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting tool reports that Pittsburgh recorded a total of 6,270 arrests, comprising 4,641 male arrests and 1,629 female arrests. For both male and female arrests, the age group 30-34 records the highest number of arrests, with 756 and 315 arrests, respectively. Simple assaults account for over 26% of arrests in the city, at 1,656 arrests.

Find Pittsburgh Arrest Records

Allegheny County provides an online Jail Roster to access arrest records of persons housed in the county jail, as well as inmates released from its facility. In addition, record seekers may also access arrest records in person at the county jail located at:

Allegheny County Jail
950 Second Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Record seekers may also access Pittsburgh arrest records using the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator. The web tool offers arrest information of persons currently incarcerated or on parole in the city. Alternatively, if the person was arrested on a federal charge, persons seeking access to arrest records may utilize the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator to view the arrest record.

At the state level, persons seeking arrest records may use the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH), an online tool provided by the Pennsylvania State Police. While the database primarily provides access to criminal background checks, searchers may use the portal to access Pittsburgh arrest records.

Pittsburgh Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Although arrest records and criminal records are related, they are distinct documents. Arrest records are the official documentation of an individual's detention by law enforcement. Arrest records are generated at the time the person is formally taken into custody, usually based on probable cause or a warrant. Arrest records typically include the following information:

• The arrestee's information
• The date, time, and place of arrest
• The arresting officer's information
• Charges filed
• Booking information, including mugshot, fingerprints, and bail amount

A criminal record is a more comprehensive history of a person's interactions with the criminal justice system in Pennsylvania. It encompasses everything that transpired from the moment the person is arrested to conviction and post-conviction appeals, if any. Generally, criminal records contain:

• Charges filed
• Indictments
• Plea agreements
• Trial verdicts and sentencing
• Probation or parole
• Dismissal or acquittal

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Per Pennsylvania law, arrest records generally remain on file indefinitely with law enforcement agencies unless the record holder takes specific legal steps to have the records expunged or sealed. Generally, under Title 18, Chapter 91, Section 22 of Pennsylvania law, persons with an arrest record may apply to have the record expunged or sealed, provided they meet the eligibility requirements, including:

• 18 months after non-convictions. The charges were dismissed, withdrawn, or acquitted.
• Expungement after 5 years for minor violations if the person has no subsequent arrests or convictions
• Sealing after 10 years for non-violent misdemeanors, without further criminal involvement
• Automatic expungement for arrests resolved through Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, after completing the program

Pittsburgh Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant issued in Pittsburgh is a court-issued order, signed by a judge, authorizing law enforcement officers to take a specific individual suspected of committing a crime into custody. It is issued when law enforcement demonstrates probable cause that the person committed an offense, especially when the suspect is not in police custody at the time.

In Pittsburgh, arrest warrants are issued for:

• Suspected criminal activity, including felonies and misdemeanors
• When the police gather sufficient evidence post-investigation, but cannot locate the suspect
• Following the failure to appear in court

Pittsburgh arrest warrants typically contain the full name and description of the suspect, the alleged crime, the probable cause justifying the warrant, the date, time, and county of issuance, as well as the issuing judge's signature and authorization.

Do Pittsburgh Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants issued in Pittsburgh generally do not expire. They remain active indefinitely until a judge recalls or quashes the warrant, when one of the following occurs:

• The suspect is arrested
• The case was dismissed or charges withdrawn
• New evidence undermines probable cause

Expunge Pittsburgh Arrest Records

Expungement destroys arrest records, as if the incident had never occurred. After meeting eligibility requirements, the record holder may file a petition in the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the arrest occurred. Serve the petition to the District Attorney and the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository and pay the appropriate fees.

A judge reviews the petition for eligibility, considering factors such as offense severity, rehabilitation, and public risk. In some instances, the courts may require a hearing. If the petition is granted, the judge signs an expungement order. The order mandates all agencies to destroy the records from their electronic databases and physical files within 90 days.