Lawrence County Arrest Records

Arrests in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, occur when law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a crime. Arrests are made by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies. Individuals arrested are held at the Lawrence County Corrections Center.

Some arrests lead to criminal charges in court. In such instances, arrest records become a component of Lawrence County Court Records, including criminal case filings, court decisions, and sentencing information.

Are Arrest Records Public in Lawrence County?

Arrest records are public in Lawrence County. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law provides that records generated and maintained by government agencies are public records. Lawrence County arrest records are generated by law enforcement agencies in the county. Hence, interested persons may request copies of arrest records. However, certain information within these records may be exempt from public disclosure, including:

• Details of ongoing investigations.
• Records involving juveniles.
• Sensitive information that could jeopardize personal privacy or safety.
• Sealed or expunged records.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Lawrence County contain the following information:

• Personal information of the arrestee, including name, aliases, gender, race, and other physical description.
• Details of the arrest, including the date, time, and location of the arrest.
• Charges against the arrested person.
• Booking information, including mugshot, booking number, and booking agency.
• Bail and court information.

Lawrence County Arrest Statistics

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General maintain arrest statistics in the state and publish them annually. In 2023, Lawrence County reported 144 arrests, including 34 for violent crimes and 110 for property crimes.

The arrests for violent crimes consisted of four murders, one for rape, two for robbery, and 27 for aggravated assaults. The arrests for property crimes included 16 for burglary, 88 for larceny, four for motor vehicle theft, and two for arson.

Find Lawrence County Arrest Records

Contact the Lawrence County Correctional Center at (724) 654-5384 to find Lawrence County arrest records or inmate information. You may use the Inmate Locator provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to find information on inmates at the state level. The online tool may be searched by name, inmate number, parole number, gender, committing county, current location, citizenship, date of birth, and age. The search results may be sorted by name, inmate number, date of birth, committing county, and current location.

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

Free Arrest Record Search in Lawrence County

Access to Lawrence County arrest records is available for free through official sources. Interested individuals may contact the Sheriff’s Office at (724) 654-5384. 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

There are also third-party websites that aggregate public records, including arrest records, from multiple jurisdictions. Some sites provide arrest information for free. While third-party sites may be useful, they may not always provide accurate, up-to-date, or comprehensive information. Official government portals should be the primary resource for reliable arrest records. Additionally, users should be cautious of any hidden fees or data privacy concerns when using these third-party platforms.

Lawrence County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records and criminal records serve distinct purposes in the criminal justice system of Lawrence County. An arrest record documents an instance when law enforcement takes an individual into custody. It includes details of the arrest, such as the date, charges, location, and the arresting officer’s name. An arrest record does not mean that the individual was convicted of a crime. It merely reflects that an arrest occurred, regardless of whether the person was later found guilty, had charges dropped, or was acquitted in court.

A criminal record is a more comprehensive document that includes the entire history of an individual's criminal activity, including arrests, charges, convictions, sentences, and other court rulings. Unlike arrest records, criminal records indicate the legal outcome of charges, including whether the person was convicted or acquitted.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Pennsylvania, including Lawrence County, arrest records generally remain on a person’s record indefinitely unless expunged or sealed. Under Pennsylvania law, an arrest that did not result in a conviction may be eligible for expungement, especially if specific criteria are met, such as the case being dismissed or the individual being acquitted. Persons who meet the eligibility criteria may apply for expungement of their records.

Expunge Lawrence County Arrest Records

Expungement in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is a legal process that allows individuals to have their criminal and arrest records removed from public access. This process is regulated by the Criminal History Record Information Act, which sets forth the criteria for expunging records. The law provides eligible situations, including acquittals, diversion program completion, or meeting specific time requirements for minor offenses.

The following individuals are eligible for record expungement:

• Pardoned individuals: Once a pardon is granted, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts will automatically remove the record upon notification from the Board of Pardons.
• Seniors aged 70 and above: Persons aged 70 or older who have gone ten years without any criminal activity following their last sentence may apply for expungement.
• Deceased persons: Expungement is available for individuals who have been deceased for over three years.
• Summary offense convictions: For those convicted of minor offenses like public intoxication, underage drinking, or disorderly conduct, records may be expunged after five years of no further criminal activity.
• Non-Convictions: Arrest records may be expunged if the charges were dropped, dismissed, or never prosecuted.
• Clean Slate Law: This law, enacted in 2018, provides for the automatic sealing of non-violent, minor cases after a specified period, provided there are no felony or misdemeanor convictions.
• Completion of Diversion Programs: Individuals who successfully complete programs like Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) or are eligible for Probation Without Verdict (PWV) for drug-related offenses under the Controlled Substances Act may apply for expungement. In some cases, the records are automatically removed upon completion.

Once a petitioner has confirmed eligibility, they may apply for expungement by following these steps:

• Complete Form SP 4-170 to request your criminal history from the Central Repository.
• Along with the completed form, include a $20 certified check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a valid government-issued photo ID, and an affidavit or letter of representation if a third party is handling the request.
• The Central Repository will send the applicant their arrest record, which is required to file for expungement.
• The applicant should contact the Clerk of Court in Lawrence County to submit a petition for expungement with the Court of Common Pleas.

Expungement permanently removes records, while sealing only restricts public access to them. Individuals eligible under the Clean Slate Law may petition to seal their records instead of expunging them using the Petition for Limited Access form.

Despite being sealed, certain entities, including law enforcement agencies, courts, licensing boards, and employers requesting FBI background checks, may still access these records in Pennsylvania.

Lawrence County Arrest Warrants

In Lawrence County, an arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge sanctioning law enforcement officers to arrest an individual. An arrest warrant is a formal authorization for law enforcement to take a person into custody. It indicates that there is probable cause to believe that the individual has committed a crime or is wanted for questioning in relation to a criminal investigation.

An arrest warrant typically includes the following information:

• The full name of the individual being sought.
• Any relevant identifying information, such as physical description, date of birth, or other identifiers.
• A description of the specific charges or offenses the individual is accused of committing.
• The name and signature of the judge or magistrate who issued the warrant.
• The date on which the warrant was issued.

Do Lawrence County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Lawrence County, arrest warrants do not expire and remain valid until executed or officially recalled by the court. Warrants may be withdrawn if charges are dropped or circumstances change; otherwise, they stay active indefinitely. Law enforcement may act on the warrant at any time unless it is formally canceled.