Bradford County Arrest Records

In Bradford County, Pennsylvania, arrest records provide documentation of individuals taken into custody by law enforcement. Individuals can be arrested following the issuance of an arrest warrant or, depending on the situation, at the crime scene without a warrant.

Following an arrest, persons of interest to law enforcement are booked and held at the Bradford County Correctional Facility—this facility is under the administration of the Bradford County Sheriff's Office.

Records generated during booking contain information about the individual and the circumstances that led to their arrest. However, arrest records are only one of several records generated when a case moves through the criminal justice system. If a person is arraigned after an arrest or the case proceeds to trial, additional information will be available in Bradford County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Bradford County?

Yes, arrest records in Bradford County are generally considered public under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. This law allows citizens access to various public records created or in the custody of a public agency, including those related to arrests. However, not all details within an arrest record are available for public viewing. Exemptions include:

• Records related to ongoing investigations
• Health records
• Personal identification information, including social security numbers, personal financial information, driver's license numbers, and home telephone numbers
• Autopsy reports, except that the name, cause, and manner of death of a deceased individual are public.
• Details involving minors.

Records containing the aforementioned details are typically sequestered from public access for privacy or security reasons. Access to the exempt records requires submitting a formal request or obtaining a subpoena, and the requestor must meet eligibility criteria.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA) of Pennsylvania regulates the dissemination of criminal history record information. Under CHRIA, public access is generally allowed for criminal records that led to a conviction. Access may be more restricted for records without a conviction, where the charges were dropped.

Publicly accessible information regarding arrest records and individuals under custody in Bradford County includes:

• Full name and date of birth of the arrested individual
• Gender
• Booking details (time and place of arrest and duration of custody)
• Booking photo (a.k.a., mugshot)
• Charges filed (including detailed descriptions of the alleged offenses)
• Arresting agency (police department, sheriff's office, etc.)
• Bail or bond information; amount set and bail status
• Name and location of the correctional facility (county jail or state prison)
• Custody status (whether they are still in custody or released).

Meanwhile, juvenile law enforcement records are confidential, but the minor's attorney, probation personnel, and corrections personnel of the institution where the child is held may access them (42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6308).

Juvenile arrest records are publicly available in the following cases:

• Nature of offense: For juveniles aged 12 or 13 involved in serious crimes like murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, rape, or similar offenses (42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6308(b)).
• Age of juvenile: For juveniles 14 or older whose conduct would be a felony if committed by an adult (42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6308(b)).
• National security or juvenile's interest: When national security requires disclosure (42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6308).
• Court order: With court approval, any person or institution with a legitimate interest may access records (42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6307).

Bradford County Arrest Statistics

Per the 2023 Pennsylvania crime report, Bradford County law enforcement reported 419 arrests involving adults and juveniles. The most common offense was simple assault, accounting for 67.3% of all arrests (282 individuals). Other significant offenses included larceny theft (20.6% or 86 arrests), aggravated assault (5.7% or 24 arrests), and burglary (3.8% or 16 arrests). The number of arrests for violent crimes like rape and arson were relatively low, constituting 0.7% and 0.2% of the total arrests, respectively.

Find Bradford County Arrest Records

Methods for checking Pennsylvania inmates at the county or state level include:

• Searching the Bradford County Correctional Facility Inmate Rosters.
• Contacting the Correctional Facility in person or by phone at:

15927 US Route 6
Troy, PA 16947
Phone: (570) 297-5047

• Visiting or calling the Bradford County Sheriff's Office:

Bradford County Sheriff's Office
215 Main Street
Towanda, PA 18848
Phone: (570) 265-1701
Fax: (570) 265-1734
Email: bcsheriff@bradfordco.org.

• Searching the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections inmate locator for persons in state prisons
• Searching the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator for persons arrested for federal crimes.

Free Arrest Record Search in Bradford County

Generally, it is possible to find free arrest records in Bradford County by contacting the agency and requesting a fee waiver. Some record custodians also maintain electronic repositories that requestors may use for free arrest record searches.

Additionally, some third-party aggregate websites provide free arrest record searches. Interested persons may find arrest records using the subject's name and location. Note, however, that while third-party sites are useful and convenient sources of public records, the accuracy and completeness of the information available may vary.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. In Bradford County, arrest records remain on an individual's record indefinitely unless expunged per the Pennsylvania Code on the retention and disposal of public records (46 Pa. Code. 15.59). However, it is possible to apply for record expungement.

Expunge Bradford County Arrest Records

Expungement is the legal process of erasing a criminal record, making it as though the offense never occurred. It typically applies to minor offenses or cases where charges were dismissed. Record sealing, on the other hand, does not erase the record but limits who can access it, often making it invisible during background checks. Sealing is generally used for more serious offenses, allowing for restricted access while maintaining the record.

In Bradford County, individuals may seek to expunge or seal their arrest records under specific conditions. Expungement is typically available for individuals who were not convicted or for those whose offenses are eligible under Pennsylvania law, such as minor offenses or charges dismissed in court. The process involves filing a petition for expungement with the court and, if approved, having the arrest record removed from public access.

To petition for expungement in Bradford County, individuals must first meet eligibility guidelines. Expungement is possible in the following cases:

• Non-Conviction Charges: Records of arrests that did not result in a conviction, including those dismissed or withdrawn, are eligible for expungement.
• Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD): Successful completion of an ARD program allows for expungement of the related criminal record.
• Summary Offenses: Convictions for summary offenses can be expunged after five years, provided there have been no subsequent criminal proceedings.
• Age 70 or older: Individuals aged 70 or above who have not faced criminal charges in the past 10 years are generally eligible for expungement.

If a case qualifies for expungement, the individual may apply for an expungement by following the Pennsylvania expungement process list. For more serious criminal offenses, Bradford County also offers record sealing under Pennsylvania's Limited Access law. This option applies to 2nd, 3rd, and ungraded misdemeanors and restricts access after 10 years without new criminal activity, provided the sentence has been fully served.

Bradford County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants in Bradford County are written legal orders issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing the detention of an individual suspected of committing a crime.

An arrest warrant must specify the defendant's name or, if the name is unknown, provide a description that allows for clear identification. It should outline the offense stated in the complaint and order the defendant's arrest, ensuring they are brought promptly before a magistrate judge or, if unavailable, another local judicial officer. The warrant must also bear a judge's signature.

Warrants are typically issued after law enforcement presents sufficient evidence that a crime has been committed. In some cases, if an individual fails to appear in court or to comply with other legal obligations, the court may issue a bench warrant for their arrest (Rule 1910.13-1 of the Pennsylvania Code).

Do Bradford County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Arrest warrants in Bradford County remain active until the suspect is apprehended or the warrant is resolved by the court. Factors like jurisdiction and time of execution can affect the enforcement of the warrant. In some instances, individuals can have their warrants withdrawn by voluntarily appearing in court or resolving the underlying legal issue.