Fayette County Arrest Records

In Fayette County, Pennsylvania, individuals who are suspected of criminal involvement or caught in the act are typically apprehended and detained by law enforcement. Upon arrest, the arresting agency collects a range of information, including the suspect's name, age, gender, height, weight, and other personal details. These details are compiled into Fayette County arrest records which are referenced throughout the criminal justice process.

Arrest records in Fayette County are generally maintained by the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest. While these records are primarily handled by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, they may also appear in other public documents such as Fayette County court records and criminal history reports. Arrest records are crucial for bringing formal charges against an individual and obtaining detailed information about the circumstances of the arrest.

Are Arrest Records Public in Fayette County?

Yes, arrest records in Fayette County are public documents, accessible under Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law (RTKL). However, there are limitations to its accessibility, and access may be restricted under the following conditions:

• If a federal or state law or regulation prohibits the release;
• If a court order restricts access;
• Due to privileged information, such as attorney-client or doctor-patient privilege;
• Due to the exemptions listed in Section 708 of the Pennsylvania RTKL which relate to information/records that may do any of the following:
  • Compromise a person’s right to a fair trial;
  • Make it difficult to locate a defendant or co-defendant;
  • Reveal the identity of a confidential informant or suspect not yet charged;
  • Endanger the physical safety of an individual;
  • Obstruct the ability of law enforcement to secure an arrest, prosecution, or conviction.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Fayette County typically contain the following:

• The arrestee’s full name and date of birth;
• Physical characteristics, such as gender, height, weight, race, hair color, and eye color;
• Mugshot or photograph;
• Arresting agency and officer;
• Type, date, and location of the arrest;
• Description of the alleged offense and corresponding code;
• Bail amount, if applicable.

Free Arrest Record Search in Fayette County

Under Pennsylvania's Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101), individuals are entitled to request public records, including arrest records. Thus, agencies in Fayette County may not charge fees except for the actual cost of copying records. To conduct a free search, inquirers may directly contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office or the police department responsible for the arrest. Some basic information, like the arrest date, arresting officer, and location of the arrest, may be obtained through a simple inquiry.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) web portal provides free access to some public records, including arrest and criminal case information. Searches can be conducted using the individual’s name or case number.

Get Fayette County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Fayette County may be accessed in one of several ways:

Request a local criminal records check

Fayette County residents may request a local records check or a letter of good conduct from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office in person or via mail. This will require the requester to prepare a written request, providing information about the subject of the record being sought.

Submit a statewide request through the Pennsylvania State Police

The Pennsylvania State Police maintain the central repository of criminal records in the state. Individuals can request their own criminal history information using Form SP4-170 through the Individual Access and Review option. This request requires a valid government-issued photo ID and a $20 processing fee. Applications may be addressed to:

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

Access records through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system

The PATCH system allows the public to request criminal records online. This system provides access to convictions, charges within three years of arrest where no final disposition is available, and active arrest warrants. A search requires the subject’s name, date of birth, and optionally, a Social Security number. Each request through PATCH costs $22.

Request a national criminal background check through the FBI

For a broader search, individuals may request a criminal record check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which includes records from Fayette County and other jurisdictions across the U.S. This service costs $18, and only the subject of the record may request their own information.

Fayette County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Fayette County, an arrest record contains information about the initial arrest of an individual and details regarding the incident that led to the arrest. This record typically includes the date of arrest, the charges filed, and the identity of the arresting officers. However, it does not indicate the outcome of the case, such as whether the person was convicted or acquitted.

A criminal record, on the other hand, provides more comprehensive information including the final court disposition. Criminal records include convictions, dismissals, and other case outcomes, making them more detailed.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrests in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, remain on an individual’s record indefinitely unless they are expunged or pardoned. Pennsylvania law mandates that arrest records are retained by law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies per the state’s record retention schedules. These schedules are guided by state regulations and local policies, ensuring that records are maintained for legal and procedural purposes.

The destruction or deletion of an arrest record by the originating law enforcement agency does not necessarily mean it will be automatically removed from the central statewide repository. Arrest records can continue to exist at the Pennsylvania State Police’s central repository, even if local police records have been removed under a retention schedule.

Expunge Fayette County Arrest Records

Expungement is a legal process that allows a record to be erased or sealed from public access. Under Pennsylvania law (18 Pa.C.S. § 9122), there are certain conditions under which an individual in Fayette County can petition to have their arrest record expunged. To qualify for expungement in Fayette County, one of the following conditions must be met:

• The individual was acquitted according to the provisions of Pa. R. Crim.P. 790.2
• The individual turns 70 years old and has been free from arrest or prosecution for at least 10 years following their final release from confinement or supervision.
• The individual has been deceased for 3 years.
• The individual has remained free from arrest or prosecution for at least 5 years following the conviction.
• No disposition recorded within 18 months
• The individual has received an unconditional pardon for the offense.

To begin the expungement process in Fayette County, individuals must file a petition with the appropriate court. A copy of the individual’s criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police may be required to accompany the petition, and the prosecutor involved must also be served with a copy of the petition when it is filed with the court.

Fayette County Arrest Warrants

A Fayette County arrest warrant is an order issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to arrest an individual suspected of committing a crime or violating a court order.

Arrest warrants typically include the suspect’s identifying information, the alleged offense, details about the issuing authority, and the directive to arrest and detain the individual promptly.

Fayette County Arrest Warrant Search

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office manages active warrants and can provide assistance in checking for any outstanding arrest warrants. Members of the public can contact the Sheriff’s Office for inquiries or visit the office at:

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
61 E Main St,
Uniontown, PA 15401
Phone: (724) 430-1295

The County’s Sheriff Office also publishes a Bench Warrant List which inquirers may utilize to search for wanted persons within county limits.

Searching for an arrest warrant typically requires providing the suspect’s first and last name.

Do Fayette County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants in Fayette County do not expire. Once an arrest warrant is issued, it remains active until the subject is arrested, surrenders voluntarily, or the warrant is recalled by the court. In some cases, a warrant may be deemed inactive if the subject of the warrant has passed away.

Law enforcement officers are obligated to execute arrest warrants once they have been issued, but certain procedural delays or jurisdictional limitations may result in a warrant remaining active for a long period.