Carbon County Arrest Records

In Carbon County, Pennsylvania, arrests occur when law enforcement officials have reasonable grounds to believe that an individual has committed a crime. The primary agency responsible for making arrests in the county is the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, along with local police departments. Once arrested, individuals are typically held at the Carbon County Correctional Facility while awaiting trial or serving their sentence.

The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for generating arrest records containing information about arrests in the county. These records sometimes form the basis for court proceedings and, consequently, part of Carbon County Court Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Carbon County?

Under Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, arrest records are generally public records in the state. Hence, Carbon County arrest records may be accessed by the public. However, the public nature of an arrest record may be restricted or exempt by law. Some records that are exempt from public viewing include:

• Juvenile records.
• Information regarding ongoing criminal investigations, where releasing details could jeopardize the investigation.
• Sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers or medical information.
• Sealed or expunged records.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A public arrest record in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, contains the following information:

• Personal details of the individual arrested, including their name, age, gender, and address.
• Details of the arrest, such as the date, time, and location where the arrest took place.
• Charges filed against the individual, including specific offenses and related statutes.
• Booking information, including mugshots.
• Arresting agency and officer.
• Bail or bond information.
• Court dates or any initial appearance before the court.
• Case or docket number tying the arrest to a specific criminal proceeding.

Carbon County Arrest Statistics

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), along with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, compiles and maintains arrest statistics in the state and publishes them annually. In 2023, Carbon County reported 523 arrests, including 360 for violent crimes and 163 for property crimes.

The arrests for violent crimes consisted of zero murders, two for rape, three for robbery, 64 for aggravated assaults, and 291 for simple assaults. The arrests for property crimes included 30 for burglary, 126 for larceny, six for motor vehicle theft, and one for arson.

Find Carbon County Arrest Records

To find Carbon County arrest records or inmate information, contact the county correctional facility at (570) 325-2211. There is an online Inmate Locator provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. This provides record seekers with information on inmates at the state level.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) also provides the BOP Inmate Locator. It contains information about inmates in federal prisons. This online portal may be searched by name. It provides the inmate’s location, release date, and other relevant information.

Free Arrest Record Search in Carbon County

Access to Carbon County arrest records is available for free through official sources. Interested individuals may contact the Sheriff’s Office at (570) 325-2211. Additionally, they may use the following resources to locate inmate information at the state or federal level:

• Department of Corrections Inmate Locator
• BOP Inmate Locator

Another option for obtaining arrest records in Carbon County is through free third-party websites that provide access to public records. While these websites may offer a range of records, users should note that the information may not always be as current or accurate as that from official government sources. It is essential to verify any details acquired from these third-party sites by cross-referencing them with official records.

Although third-party sites offer convenience, they should be approached with caution. It is best to trust official channels or government-authorized resources for the most reliable and comprehensive information.

Carbon County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Carbon County, Pennsylvania, there is a clear distinction between arrest records and criminal records. Arrest records focus solely on instances when law enforcement has taken an individual into custody. These records capture the date, time, location, and the specific charges for the arrest. However, an arrest record simply indicates that a person was detained; it does not confirm that they were convicted or even formally charged beyond the arrest itself.

In contrast, criminal records offer a more comprehensive view of an individual’s encounters with the legal system. These records include not only arrest details but also the full progression of legal proceedings—such as charges brought, the outcome of trials, any convictions, and sentencing. Criminal records provide a more in-depth account of a person’s legal history, making them useful for background checks related to employment, housing, and other situations where knowledge of someone’s criminal background is necessary.

The primary difference between the two lies in the scope and implications of the information. While arrest records are limited to the circumstances surrounding the arrest and do not automatically lead to a criminal record, criminal records offer a more detailed look into the entire legal process, including any penalties resulting from the proceedings.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Pennsylvania, arrests typically remain on an individual's record indefinitely unless they are expunged. The state’s law does not provide for automatic removal of arrest records, meaning they will continue to appear unless the individual successfully undergoes the expungement process. Expungement is generally available in cases where the charges were dismissed, or the individual was acquitted.

Expunge Carbon County Arrest Records

Expungement is the legal process used to remove a person’s criminal and arrest records. In Carbon County, this process is governed by the Criminal History Record Information Act. The law outlines specific conditions under which records may be expunged, such as acquittal, completion of a diversion program, or after a designated period for minor offenses.

The following individuals are eligible for record expungement:

• Pardoned offenders: Once a person receives a pardon, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts automatically deletes their records upon receiving notice from the Board of Pardons.
• Individuals aged 70 or older: Individuals who are 70 years or older may apply for expungement if they have not been arrested or prosecuted for at least 10 years after completing their last sentence.
• Deceased individuals: The state may expunge records for persons who have been deceased for over three years.
• Individuals with summary offenses: Persons convicted of summary offenses, such as public drunkenness, disorderly conduct, underage drinking, or possession of a fake ID, may apply for expungement after five years of being free of any subsequent arrests or crimes.
• Individuals with non-convictions: If an individual’s charges were dismissed, withdrawn, or not prosecuted (“nolle prosequi”), their arrest record may be expunged.
• Clean Slate Law: Passed in 2018, this law allows the automatic sealing of non-violent, minor cases after a specific period, provided the individual has no misdemeanor or felony conviction on record.
• Individuals who completed diversion programs: Those who have successfully completed the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) or are eligible for Probation Without Verdict (PWV) under the Controlled Substances Act may apply for expungement. In some instances, the record may be automatically expunged upon program completion.

After confirming eligibility, a petitioner may apply for expungement of records by following these steps:

• Fill out and print Form SP 4-170. This form is necessary to request one’s criminal history record as part of the expungement process.
• The completed form should be sent to the Central Repository along with the following:
  • A $20 certified check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  • A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID for identity verification.
  • A legal affidavit or letter of representation if a third party is filing the request.
• The Central Repository will mail the arrest record to the applicant, which is required to proceed with the expungement.
• The applicant must contact the Clerk of Court in the county where the arrest occurred to file a petition for expungement. This process generally involves submitting a form to the Court of Common Pleas in the respective county.

It is important to distinguish between expungement and record sealing. While expungement deletes records, sealed records are merely restricted from public access and still exist in the state’s system. Individuals eligible under the Clean Slate Law may only seal their records using the Petition for Limited Access form.

Despite being sealed, certain entities in Pennsylvania may still access these records, including:

• Law enforcement agencies such as police departments, district attorneys, and courts.
• Employers who request FBI background checks.
• Licensing agencies.

Carbon County Arrest Warrants

In Carbon County, Pennsylvania, an arrest warrant is a court-issued legal document that gives law enforcement the authority to detain an individual. These warrants are granted when there is probable cause to believe that the individual named in the warrant has been involved in a crime. Arrest warrants are issued when a crime has occurred and sufficient evidence exists to link a specific person to the offense.

An arrest warrant in Carbon County includes detailed information identifying the individual to be arrested and the grounds for the arrest. This usually includes the person’s name, physical description, and other identifying characteristics. Additionally, the warrant outlines the charges or suspected offenses, the date of issuance, and the signature of the judge or magistrate who authorized it. The document provides law enforcement with the legal authority to arrest the individual and may include terms regarding when and how the arrest may be carried out, such as whether it may occur at any time or under specific conditions.

Do Carbon County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Carbon County, Pennsylvania, arrest warrants remain active indefinitely. Once a judge issues an arrest warrant, it does not have an expiration date and remains valid until the individual named in the warrant is arrested or the court formally cancels the warrant. As a result, the warrant may be enforced at any time, regardless of how much time has elapsed since its issuance.