Northumberland County Arrest Records

In Northumberland County, Pennsylvania an arrest occurs when an individual is suspected of committing an offense. The Northumberland County Sheriff’s Office and other local police departments in the county make arrests and maintain arrest records. Interested parties may view arrest records by visiting the sheriff’s office at:

201 Market Street
Sunbury, PA 17801
Phone: (570) 988-4155
Fax: (570) 988-4496

The Northumberland County Jail houses arrested and convicted persons in the county. It is located at:

670 Northumberland County Drive
Coal Township, PA 17866
Phone: (570) 509-2701
Fax: (570) 509-2765

You may find Northumberland County arrest records are often part of broader criminal records, which include Northumberland County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Northumberland County?

Yes. According to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, Northumberland County arrest records are largely considered public records. The law provides interested persons with the right to access government records, including arrest records.

However, there are some arrest records or information that are restricted from public access. They include:

• Juvenile records.
• Medical records.
• Records or information relating to ongoing investigation, to safeguard the integrity of the investigation and not compromise the rights of individuals involved, including victims, informants, and witnesses.
• Privileged records.
• Expunged or sealed records.
• Records or information exempt from public disclosure by federal or state law or judicial decree.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A Northumberland County arrest record comprises information such as:

• The arrestee’s information - full name (including aliases), date of birth, race, and physical description (height, weight, and identifying marks).
• Arrest information - date, location, and time of arrest.
• Arresting agency and officer information.
• Charges.
• Mugshot.
• Bail and bond information.

Northumberland County Crime Rate

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), along with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, complies and maintains crimes statistics in the state and publishes them yearly. In 2023, it was reported that the Northumberland County had a total number of 1,054 reported crimes, including 154 violent crimes and 943 property crimes.

The violent crimes consist four murders, 42 rape incidents, 12 robberies, and 96 aggravated assault. While the property crimes included 169 burglaries, 716 larcenies, 44 motor vehicle thefts, and 14 arsons.

Northumberland County Arrest Statistics

The PSP reported that 537 arrests were made in Northumberland County, including 123 violent crime arrests and 414 property crime arrests. The violent crime arrests included three murders, 18 rape incidents, 18 robberies, and 84 aggravated assaults. The property crime arrests included 78 burglaries, 310 larcenies, 21 motor vehicle thefts, and five arsons.

Find Northumberland County Arrest Records

To find Northumberland County arrest records or inmate information, record seekers typically contact the county jail facility (570) 509-2701. Besides the county prison’s online search tool, record seekers may also use the Inmate Locator provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.

In addition, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provides the BOP Inmate Locator, which contains information about persons incarcerated in federal prisons. It can be searched by names and it provides the inmate’s location, release date, and other relevant information.

Free Arrest Record Search in Northumberland County

Access to Northumberland County is provided for free by official sources. Interested pesrons can call the Sheriff’s Office on (570) 509-2701. They can also use the links below to find state or federal level inmate information, respectively:

• Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator
• BOP Inmate Locator

Another way to obtain arrest records in Faulkner County is through free third-party websites that host public records. These websites can offer access to a variety of records, but users should be aware that the information provided may not always be as accurate or up-to-date as what is available from official government sources. It’s important to verify any information obtained from these third-party sites by comparing it with official records.

While third-party sites can be convenient, they should be used with caution. For the most trustworthy and complete information, it’s best to rely on official channels or government-backed resources.

Get Northumberland County Criminal Records

Northumberland County criminal records are official documents that provide information on the criminal history of individuals, including Jasper County arrest records, within the county. Northumberland County criminal records are available to the public. Residents of Northumberland County can request background checks from the PSP. The law enforcement agency accepts requests online and by mail.

To submit a request for a criminal history report online, record seekers are to visit the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) website. To order a background check by mail, the record seeker will need one of three forms. One of such forms is the Criminal History Request Form (SP4-164) for requesting a regular background check of an individual. Record seekers can also obtain and review their own personal criminal history using the Individual Access and Request Form (SP4-170). Completed forms should be mailed to:

Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository - RCPU
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758

The PSP does not charge for background checks ordered using the SP4-164A form. However, it charges $20 for each criminal report requested with an SP4-170 form and $22 for a regular background check ordered with an SP4-164 form. Requesters must pay these fees with money orders made out to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

To facilitate requests for Northumberland criminal records, whether through mail or online, the record seeker must provide some necessary information relating to the subject of the search, such as the subject’s name, sex, date of birth, and more.

Northumberland County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, there is a significant difference between arrest records and criminal records, each serving distinct roles within the criminal justice system. Arrest records specifically document instances where an individual has been detained by law enforcement. These records include details such as the date, time, and location of the arrest, as well as the charges filed regarding the arrest. An arrest record only indicates that someone was taken into custody; it does not imply that the person was convicted or even formally charged beyond the initial arrest.

Criminal records, on the other hand, provide a more detailed view of an individual’s interactions with the legal system. These records encompass a person’s entire criminal history, including not just arrests but also the outcomes of any legal proceedings, such as charges, trials, convictions, and sentences. Criminal records give a fuller picture of a person’s legal background and are often used in background checks for employment, housing, and other purposes where an individual’s criminal history is relevant.

The difference between arrest and criminal records is in the scope and implications of the information they provide. While arrest records are limited to the event of an arrest and do not necessarily lead to a criminal record, criminal records are more expansive, detailing the entire legal process and any resulting penalties.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Pennsylvania, arrests generally remain on a person's record indefinitely unless they are expunged. Pennsylvania law does not automatically remove arrests from records; they can persist unless a legal process to expunge the record is completed. Expungement is typically available if charges were dismissed, or if the individual was found not guilty.

Expunge Northumberland County Arrest Records

Expungement is the legal process of erasing an individual’s criminal and arrest records. Expunging arrest records in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania is governed by the Criminal History Record Information Act. The law allows for the expungement of records under specific conditions, such as acquittal, completion of a diversion program, or after a certain period for minor offenses.

The following individuals qualify for expungement of records:

• Pardoned offenders: The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts automatically deletes the records of persons who have received a pardon upon receiving a notice from the Board of Pardons.
• Individuals over 70 years: People who are 70 years old or older can apply for expungement if they have not been arrested or prosecuted for 10 years since completing their last sentence.
• Deceased individuals: The Commonwealth can expunge the records of deceased persons for more than three years.
• Individuals with summary offenses: People convicted of summary offenses (such as public drunkenness can have their records expunged after five arrests and crime-free years. Summary offenses include public drunkenness, underage drinking, disorderly conduct, and possession of a fake ID.
• Convictions for summary offenses (such as public drunkenness or disorderly conduct) can be expunged after five arrests and a crime-free period of five years.
• Individuals with non-convictions: An arrest record can be expunged if an individual's charges were dismissed or withdrawn or a prosecutor entered a “nolle prosequi” (a decision not to prosecute).
• Clean Slate Law: The Clean Slate Law, passed in 2018, allows the state to automatically seal non-violent, minor cases after a specific period so long as there is no misdemeanor or felony conviction on the individual’s record.
• People who have completed diversion programs: Individuals who have completed the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) or are eligible for Probation Without Verdict (PWV) under the Controlled Substances Act can apply to expunge their records. In some cases, records may be expunged automatically after completing the program.

After confirming eligibility, petitioners can follow these steps:

• Complete the required form: Individuals must fill out and print Form SP 4-170. This form is essential for requesting one's criminal history record, which is needed to file for expungement.
• Mail the form: The completed form should be mailed to the Central Repository at the address provided on the form. Along with the form, the individual must include:
  • The processing fee. A $20 certified money order or check to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  • A copy of a government photo ID to verify the subject's identity.
  • A legal affidavit or a letter of representation if someone other than the subject is making the request.
• Receive the arrest record: The Central Repository will mail the entire arrest record to the individual. This record is necessary for the next steps in the expungement process.
• Contact the Clerk of Court: In the county where the arrest occurred, the applicant must contact the Clerk of Court. The Clerk of Court will provide further instructions on petitioning the court for expungement. The court process typically involves filling out a form and submitting it to the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the case was handled.

It is important to note that expunging and sealing a record are two different things. Sealed records are restricted from public access but are not deleted from the state's system. People who qualify under the Clean Slate bill can only seal their records using the Petition for Limited Access form.

The following entities can still access sealed records in Pennsylvania:

• Criminal justice agencies, including police departments, district attorneys, and courts
• Potential employers who petition the FBI for background checks
• Licensing agencies

Pennsylvania allows for sealing or expungement of criminal records as long as certain conditions or waiting periods have been met.

Northumberland County Arrest Warrants

In Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, an arrest warrant is a legal document issued by the court that authorizes law enforcement to arrest a person. Arrest warrants are issued when there is probable cause to believe that the person named in the warrant has committed a crime. Arrest warrants in Northumberland County are issued where a crime has been committed and there is sufficient evidence linking an individual to that crime.

An arrest warrant in Northumberland County contains specific information that identifies the person to be arrested and the reasons for the arrest. This typically includes the individual’s name, physical description, and any other identifying details. The warrant also specifies the charges or suspected offenses, the date it was issued, and the name of the judge or magistrate who authorized it. The warrant grants law enforcement the legal authority to arrest the person named and may include instructions on the terms of the arrest, such as whether it can be executed at any time or only under specific conditions.

Northumberland County Arrest Warrant Search

Residents of Northumberland County can check information about active warrants by contacting the sheriff’s office on (570) 509-2701 or the relevant police department.

Do Northumberland County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, arrest warrants remain active and do not expire. Upon issuance by a judge, an arrest warrant remains valid and does not contain a set expiration date until the person named in the warrant is apprehended or the warrant is formally canceled by the court. This means that the warrant can be executed at any time, regardless of how much time has passed since its issuance.