Northampton County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Northampton County detail the instances when individuals are apprehended by law enforcement. These records typically arise when law enforcement officials have probable cause or a warrant to arrest someone for a suspected criminal offense. Inmates arrested are held at the Northampton County Prison or local detention facilities. The Northampton County sheriff's office and local police departments are responsible for generating arrest records, which are linked to various public records, such as Northampton County Court Records, police reports, and other documents accessible through the criminal justice system.

Following arrests, individuals undergo the booking/processing where all the necessary information about the individual and the arrest are documented, including:

• Name, gender, and age of the arrested person
• Location, date, and time of arrest
• Charges filed
• Law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
• Bail/ bond information

Are Arrest Records Public in Northampton County?

Per Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know (65 P.S. § 67. 101 et seq), most arrest records in Northampton County are considered Public records. However, specific exemptions exist, particularly when the disclosure could jeopardize an ongoing investigation, violate privacy rights (especially in cases involving juveniles), or pose a threat to the safety of individuals involved.

Arrest records that lead to non-convictions, such as dropped charges or acquittals, may also be withheld from public access. Individuals seeking access must often verify their eligibility, particularly when requesting records through the Pennsylvania State Police or Unified Judicial System (UJS).

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Northampton County typically include the following:

• Name, Date of birth, and gender of the arrested individual.
• Mugshots, fingerprints, and date of arrest
• Charges filed and case number
• Arresting agency, name of officer or unit involved
• Court information like scheduled hearings or bail conditions

These records do not usually contain sensitive information related to the investigation, such as witnesses’ names or detailed evidence, unless they are disclosed as part of a court process.

Northampton County Arrest Statistics

According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting(UCR) program, Northampton County reports statistics annually. Local law enforcement agencies contribute data on arrests for offenses like drug violations, assault, theft, and other serious crimes. As of the most recent data, Northampton County recorded over 1,200 arrests for drug-related offenses, and assault-related arrests comprised approximately 15% of the total.

Find Northampton County Arrest Records

Individuals may locate arrest records in Northampton County through state and federal resources.

• The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal provides access to public court records, which include arrest information for individuals charged with crimes.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) offers an Inmate Locator for those currently incarcerated.
• The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) managed by the FBI contains comprehensive criminal databases for law enforcement use.

All these tools allow the public to search for arrest and detention information.

Free Arrest Record Search in Northampton County

Free resources are available for arrest records searches in Northampton County.

• The Pennsylvania UJS Web Portal provides no-cost access to criminal court records, including arrest details.
• The Northampton County Sheriff's Office and local police departments also offer limited arrest records searches on request.
• Third-party websites also provide free arrest records searches, although they may not be up-to-date or comprehensive.

Northampton County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

A Northampton County arrest record documents an individual's apprehension by law enforcement but does not confirm guilt or conviction. Conversely, a criminal record includes a person's full criminal history, such as convictions, sentencing, and other judicial decisions. A person may have an arrest record without a corresponding criminal record if the charges are dismissed or acquitted.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Pennsylvania, an arrest may remain on an individual's record indefinitely unless it is expunged or sealed. Under 18 Pa.Cons.Stat. § 9121(b), public access to certain arrest records may be limited based on the final disposition of the case. If an individual is not convicted or the charges are dismissed, they may seek expungement to remove the arrest record from public view. Expunged records are no longer accessible to the general public or employers conducting background checks.

Expunge Northampton County Arrest Records

Expunging an arrest record in Northampton County requires meeting specific eligibility criteria. Pennsylvania 18. Pa.Cons. Stat. § 9122 allows for the expungement of arrest records under certain conditions, such as:

• The charges were dismissed or withdrawn
• The individual was acquitted of the charges.
• The individual completed a diversion program.
• Summary offenses may be eligible for expungement after five years of no further criminal activity.
• Juveniles may petition for expungement if they reach 28 years and have maintained a clean record within the designated period.
• Individuals who are 70 years and above and have been free from arrest and prosecution for 10 years following their release from confinement or the completion of probation may be eligible.
• A court may order the expungement of arrest records if the subject of the record is deceased.

Ineligible Records for expungement

The following records are not eligible for expungement:

• Convictions for most felonies and certain misdemeanors
• Records of serious offenses that involve public safety concerns.
• Cases where the individual has ongoing criminal charges.

For those ineligible for expungement, Pennsylvania's clean slate law (18 Pa. C.S. §9122.2) allows for the sealing of certain misdemeanor convictions after 10 years, provided the individual has a clean record during that period. Such sealed records remain visible to law enforcement but are accessible to the public.

Process of Expungement

Individuals who want their arrest records expunged may follow the under-listed steps:

• Obtain a copy of the criminal history to verify the eligibility of specific records for expungement.
• After confirming eligibility, individuals file a petition for expungement with the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas. The petition must include detailed information about the arrest records, including the date of arrest, charges, case outcomes, and applicable court docket numbers.
• The individual then serves a copy of the petition to relevant parties, including the district attorney's office, which has the right to object to expungement if necessary.
• If the judge grants the expungement, a court order will be issued directing all agencies to destroy or remove the record from their systems.
• Thereafter, law enforcement agencies, including the Pennsylvania state police and any relevant local authorities, are required to expunge the records.

Northampton County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants in Northampton County are issued by a judge or magistrate and authorize law enforcement to apprehend a suspect. The warrant must be supported by probable cause as outlined in Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure (Pa. R. Criminal. P. Rule 203). An arrest warrant typically includes:

• The name of the person to be arrested.
• The alleged offense.
• The Judge's signature.
• The date of issuance and instructions for law enforcement.

Arrest warrants are also issued when an individual fails to honor the court or an investigation provides sufficient evidence of criminal activity.

Do Northampton County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Northampton County, arrest l warrants do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until the suspect is arrested or the court withdraws or quashes the warrant. However, law enforcement may prioritize older or less severe warrants differently based on available resources or changes in the case. Warrants related to serious felonies are likely to be actively pursued regardless of how much time has passed since the issuance.