Blair County Arrest Records

Individuals who violate the Law in Blair County, Pennsylvania, are typically apprehended, detained, and arraigned before a court. Blair County law enforcement agencies enforce judicial Law and make arrests when violations occur.

Once a person is arrested in Blair County, the arresting agency will be required to transport the individual to a detention center where they will be booked and held pending their arraignment. The booking process involves fingerprinting the suspect, photographing them, and collecting personal identifying information, such as their name, address, and physical description. The arresting officer also takes inventory of any personal belongings in the suspect's possession at the time of arrest. This collected information becomes part of the Blair County arrest records, which outline the arrestee's biodata, their alleged offense, and the circumstances surrounding their arrest.

If the suspect faces formal charges, arrest information is entered into the Blair County court records as part of the judicial process. These details may also be used in other stages of the criminal justice system, such as creating criminal history reports and judicial records, during judicial proceedings, or when creating prisoner processing documents.

Are Arrest Records Public in Blair County?

Yes, arrest records in Blair County are considered public under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). According to the statute, interested members of the public may access government-generated records, including arrest records, subject to certain exceptions.

Records may be exempt from public disclosure if they fall under any of the following categories:

• Records explicitly made confidential by Law
• Records pertaining to an ongoing criminal investigation
• Private complaints of potential criminal conduct
• Criminal investigative reports, notes, videos, and correspondence
• Information identifying a confidential source or a suspect not yet charged and promised confidentiality
• Juvenile records or those pertaining to a minor victim

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Blair County generally include the following:

• Full name, address, and mugshot of the arrestee
• Physical description of the arrestee
• The arrest date, time, and place
• Details about the arresting officer or agency
• Bail or bond details
• A list of charges against the individual
• Any outcomes or developments related to the arrest

Find Blair County Arrest Records

Typically, arrest records can be requested from the police department or law enforcement agency that executed the arrest. This is primarily the Blair County Sheriff's Office and other municipal law enforcement agencies in Blair County.

To obtain arrest records from the Blair County Sheriff's Office, inquirers may write a request containing the individual's name, report number, or arrest date to facilitate the search. Requests can be submitted in person or via mail to:

Blair County Sheriff's Office
423 Allegheny Street
Suite 111
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Phone: (814) 693-3100

To locate someone arrested in Blair County who may have been transferred to a state prison, use the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections online inmate locator. This tool allows users to search for inmates by name or identification number. Search results typically include:

• The inmate's identifying information.
• The crime for which they were sentenced.
• Their current location within the Pennsylvania state prison system.

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) web portal also offers access to arrest-related information. Users can search by name, incident number, docket number, citation number, or other case-specific identifiers. This system provides details on charges, court proceedings, and case statuses linked to the arrest.

Free Arrest Record Search in Blair County

To perform a free arrest record search in Blair County, inquirers may query the arresting law enforcement agency. In most cases, inmate search tools may used at no cost, except when fees are incurred for printing or certifying documents.

There are also third-party websites where individuals can search for arrest records for free. These platforms typically require the person's full name and may provide basic arrest details. However, retrieving more comprehensive information might require the payment of a fee.

Get Blair County Criminal Records

In Pennsylvania, a criminal record is a document containing a person's arrest and conviction history.

To request a criminal record, the subject of the record or their legal representative can submit Form SP4-170 for Individual Access and Review. The completed form, along with a government-issued photo ID and a $20 fee (payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania), should be mailed to:

Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758

Eligible persons looking to conduct background checks can submit Form SP 4-164, which costs $22, with an additional $5 fee for notarization.

Alternatively, the public can access criminal records through the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) online system. PATCH allows for immediate access to some records, though in cases where further review is necessary, users will receive a control number to retrieve their results at a later time. This method is generally faster than the mail-in form process.

For individuals needing a nationwide criminal record check, requests can be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for $18. FBI records include data from local, state, and federal criminal justice agencies. However, only the subject of the record can request their FBI report.

Blair County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An arrest record only contains information about a person who has been detained or arrested, including basic information such as the date of arrest, charges, and the arresting agency. It does not include court outcomes or imply guilt, as it merely reflects the apprehension stage in the criminal justice process.

On the other hand, a criminal record provides a more comprehensive account of an individual's interactions with the justice system. This includes not only arrest information but also data on prosecutions, court outcomes, convictions, sentencing, and any post-conviction proceedings. Criminal records offer a broader view of a person's history within the legal system, including any periods of incarceration or probation.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Blair County, arrest records remain on an individual's record indefinitely unless they are legally expunged. Under Pennsylvania law, an arrest record will continue to exist as part of a person's criminal history until specific legal actions, such as expungement, are taken. This means that unless someone qualifies for and successfully petitions for an expungement, their arrest record will remain accessible to law enforcement and, in some cases, the public.

Expunge Blair County Arrest Records

Expungement is a legal process by which individuals can have their conviction erased or removed from public records. Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, an individual will only be eligible to apply for expungement if:

• There has been no disposition (final decision) within 18 months of the arrest, and the case remains unresolved, the arrest may be expunged.
• A court order authorizes expungement.
• They receive an unconditional pardon
• The person was acquitted of all charges.
• They are 70 or older, and they have avoided arrest or prosecution for 10 years
• They have been deceased for at least 3 years.

Eligible persons may expunge their records by following these steps:

• Step 1: Obtain an Expungement Packet: Visit the Blair County Clerk of Courts office to obtain the necessary forms, also called an "Expungement Packet".
• Step 2: Complete the Forms: Fill out the forms with the necessary information about your case and arrest.
• Step 3: Submit the Forms for Verification: After completing the forms, submit them to the Blair County Clerk of Courts to certify that you have met all the requirements.
• Step 4: Submit to Probation Office: Take the verified packet to the Blair County Adult Probation Office for further review. A probation officer will review the forms and may notarize the expungement petition.
• Step 5: Submit to District Attorney's Office: After the probation office reviews the expungement packet, it is submitted to the District Attorney's Office. The District Attorney will either approve or object to the request, often requiring a copy of the defendant's criminal history.

After the aforementioned steps, the petition will be presented to a judge, who will decide whether to approve or deny the expungement.

Blair County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is an official order issued by a judge authorizing the detainment of an individual suspected of committing a crime. In Blair County, the process of issuing an arrest warrant is governed by Pa. Code Rule 513. Law enforcement officers (referred to as "affiants") must demonstrate probable cause that a crime has been committed. If the judge finds sufficient evidence, they will issue a warrant containing the suspect's name, a description of the alleged crime, and details about the arresting agency.

Blair County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals can access the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) Web Portal to search for active arrest warrants in Blair County. This online portal allows users to search for case-related information using basic parameters such as the case participant's name or docket number.

The Blair County Sheriff's Office also operates a dedicated Warrant Division that processes warrant-related information, including tips and information requests. Individuals can inquire about existing warrants by contacting the division at:

• Warrant Unit Office Number: (814) 693-3283
• Warrant Unit Tip Line: (814) 330-1466
• Email Address: sherifftip@blairco.org

Do Blair County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants issued in Blair County do not expire. Once issued, they remain valid until executed (when the person is arrested) and returned to the court. However, the issuing judge or court may recall a warrant if it is determined that there is reasonable cause for doing so.