Union County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Union County, Pennsylvania, are vital documents detailing instances when individuals are detained by law enforcement for suspected involvement in criminal activities. These records play an essential role in tracking criminal activities, maintaining public safety, and ensuring transparency in the justice system. Arrest records are often interconnected with Union County court records, which provide further details about the legal processes following an arrest.

Arrests in Union County are executed when law enforcement officers believe there is sufficient probable cause to suspect an individual of committing a crime.Common scenarios where arrest may become necessary include:

• On-the-Spot Arrests: When officers witness a crime being committed or receive immediate evidence of illegal activity.
• Arrest warrants may be issued by a judge or magistrate upon reviewing evidence provided by law enforcement agencies.
• Protective custody when individuals pose an immediate threat to themselves or others.

Following an arrest, individuals are generally processed at the Union County Prison, the primary detention facility in the county. The processing involves the following steps:

• The arrestee's personal information, including name, date of birth, and address, is recorded. Law enforcement verifies the individual's identity, often using government-issued Identification or fingerprint databases.
• A mugshot is taken to visually document the arrestee. This photograph becomes part of an arrest record and may be released to the public unless otherwise restricted by law.
• Fingerprints are collected and entered into state and federal databases, such as those maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI.
• Law enforcement officials formally record the charges being brought against the individual.
• The arrestee is searched to confiscate prohibited items. The personal belongings are inventoried and securely stored until their release.
• A preliminary medical screening ensures that detainees do not pose a risk to themselves or others due to physical or mental health conditions.
• Based on the individual's legal status (awaiting arraignment, bail, or trial), they are assigned to appropriate holding areas within the detention facility.
• The detainee is informed of their constitutional rights, including the right to be silent and the right to legal counsel.

Depending on the circumstances, arrested persons may remain in custody until their arraignment, bail hearing, or transfer to another facility. The Union County Sheriff's Office is the primary agency responsible for maintaining and generating arrest records. These records typically include:

• The arrested individual's personal information.
• Date, fine, and location of the arrest.
• The nature of the charges filed against them.

Union County arrest records also overlap with other public records, such as Union County Court Records, which may contain detailed case information, including trial outcomes and sentencing details. Additionally, they connect to statewide criminal history databases.

Are Arrest Records Public in Union County?

Per Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), arrest records are generally considered public information, promoting transparency in government operations. However, there are specific limitations to public access:

• Sealed or Expunged Records: Arrests that have been expunged, per Title 18 Pa. C.S. § 9122 or sealed are just accessible.
• Juvenile Records: Arrests involving minors are confidential, barring certain serious offenses.
• Ongoing Investigations: Records tied to active criminal investigations are typically withheld to avoid compromising case outcomes.

To access arrest records, individuals may submit a formal request to the Union County sheriff's office or utilize Pennsylvania's online criminal history database. In some cases, identification and specific details about the request may be required.

Union County Arrest Statistics

Union County has three federal prisons that house 3,656 adult citizens. In 2023, 5449 people were admitted for parole violations, a 33.8 decrease from 2012. The County has a jail rate of 194 inmates per year and a pretrial rate of 39 pre-trials per 100,000 residents. The county has an arrest rate of 2,055. Union County arrest statistics reflect trends in law enforcement activity and the prevalence of specific crimes. Reports from the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program and local law enforcement agencies are included in the statistics.

Find Union County Arrest Records

There are several avenues for locating Union County arrest records:

• Union County Sheriff's Office: Maintains current records of recent arrests and inmates. Individuals may visit the office or submit a formal records request.
• Pennsylvania State Police: This agency operates the online PATCH(Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History) system, which allows users to search criminal records, including arrest information.
• Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System: The court records portal includes case information related to arrests and their outcomes.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Pennsylvania, arrest records typically remain on an individual's record indefinitely unless expunged. Eligibility for expungement is determined by Title 18 Pa C.S § 9122 and includes the following Scenarios:

• The individual was acquitted, or the charges were dismissed.
• The arrest occurred while the individual was under 18 and a specified period had passed.
• The individual completed a diversion program or other rehabilitative measures.

Expungement eligibility is more restricted for convictions and usually applies to summary offenses or cases with a governor's pardon.

Union County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document authorizing law enforcement to detain an individual suspected of committing a crime. In Union County, arrest warrants are issued by judges or magistrates after reviewing probable cause presented by law enforcement. Per Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure (Pa R.Crim.P.509), warrants must include:

• Suspect’s Identification: Clear identification of the person to be arrested.
• Charges: A detailed description of the alleged offenses
• Jurisdiction: The specific Authority under which the warrant is issued.

Warrants are typically issued for:

• Failure to appear in court
• Probation or parole violations.
• Evidence directly implicating an individual in a crime.

Do Union County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Union County do not expire and remain valid until they are executed, canceled by the issuing court, or superseded by legal action. However, the statute of limitations, as defined under Pennsylvania law, typically limits the prosecution of certain offenses:

• Misdemeanors: subject to a two-year statute of limitations.
• Felonies: More severe offenses have longer or no statute of limitations.

While the warrant itself remains active, the feasibility of enforcement may depend on factors such as the suspect's location or changes in law enforcement priorities.