Washington County Arrest Records

Any person who violates a law or ordinance in Washington County will naturally face the consequences of their actions, which often involve immediate apprehension and detainment until their court arraignment. 18 Pa.C.S. § 9112 categorizes offenses that someone may commit in Washington County as either felonies, misdemeanors, or summary offenses.

After an arrest, the arresting agency is responsible for fingerprinting the suspect and documenting the alleged offender's personal identifying information, taking their photograph, and taking inventory and custody of their personal belongings. Information collected from the offender and about the arrest incident is used to create the "arrest record".

Typically, arrest information becomes a part of the Washington County court records when charges are filed in court. The information may also appear in official records used for or created during the criminal justice process, such as prisoner flow charts and criminal history reports.

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington County?

Yes. Washington County arrest records are publicly accessible under Pennsylvania's Right to Know Law (RTKL) and the Criminal History Record Information Act.

However, this right of access is subject to several exemptions, as listed below:

• Records that are expressly confidential by law
• Records related to an ongoing criminal investigation
• Private complaints of potential criminal conduct
• Criminal investigative reports, notes, videos, and correspondences
• Arrest information containing the identity of a confidential source or a suspect who has not yet been charged with an offense and was guaranteed confidentiality

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Washington County public arrest records contain the following details:

• An arrestee's full name, address, mugshot, and physical description
• The arrest date, place, and time
• Bail/bond details
• The arresting agency or officer
• The charges
• Any outcome of the arrest

Washington County Crime Rate

According to annual crime statistics compiled by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) for all counties in the Commonwealth, Washington County reported 2,630 Part 1 (or Group A) offenses in 2023, a 7.52% increase from the previous year.

The most common offenses within the jurisdiction in 2023 were larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and simple assault. Larceny-theft accounted for the majority of offenses, constituting 1,236 of the offense total. It was followed closely by simple assault, which accounted for 805 offenses, and aggravated assault, which had 246 occurrences.

Washington County Arrest Statistics

According to Pennsylvania State Police's crime reports, Washington County had 1,306 Part 1 offense arrests in 2023, constituting a 21.49% increase from the previous year.

Of the total, 1,216 were adult arrests, while 90 were juvenile arrests. The most popular offenses for which an arrest was made were simple assault (578 arrests), larceny-theft (436 arrests), and aggravated assault (164 arrests).

Conversely, Washington County reported 2,927 Part II arrests in 2023, a 14.74% increase from the prior year.

Of Part II arrest total, driving under the influence was the most prevalent arrest involving adults in Washington County, totaling 561 arrests. It was followed by assault-other (545 arrests) and drug abuse violations (417 arrests). On the other hand, juveniles were mostly arrested for disorderly conduct (66 arrests), assault-other (33 arrests), and drug abuse violations (17 arrests).

Find Washington County Arrest Records

Any person searching for arrest records in Washington is advised to verify the lawful custodian of the record. Once found, the person can confirm which part of the record is exclusively accessible to members of the public under Pennsylvania's RTKL. Each custodian has specific procedures for releasing records.

Individuals can generally submit a Washington County arrest record request to the police agency that executed an arrest. A person's name, report number, or arrest date may be required to obtain a record, and requests may be submitted in person or using other means provided by the custodian.

If the inquiry pertains to finding the location of someone arrested in Washington but sent to state prison, an individual may access the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections's online inmate locator. Users can search the database by an inmate's name or number, among other parameters. Search results typically display the inmate's identifying information, the crime for which sentenced, and their permanent location.

People can also access the Pennsylvania Uniform Judicial System (UJS) web portal to find arrest information contained in court records. The system can be searched by a case participant's name, incident number, citation number, docket number, etc.

Often, the FBI or another federal law enforcement agency may arrest someone for violating a federal law in Washington County. If the suspect was booked in the local jail, the facility can be reached at InmateRecords@co.washington.pa.us for available records. However, where the arrestee was transferred to federal custody, one may access the Federal Inmate Search portal or contact the Bureau of Prisons for the individual's location.

Similarly, offenders in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can be located via the agency's Online Detainee Locator System.

Free Arrest Record Search in Washington County

The arresting agency is the first point of call for people looking to conduct a free arrest record search in Washington County. Pennsylvania's Right to Know Law mandates government-funded agencies, including law enforcement agencies, to disseminate public arrest information at no cost. Unless the request attracts a fee for printing or certification, an inquirer may access records not prohibited by law at no cost.

Additionally, third-party websites are ideal alternatives for people to perform arrest record searches at no cost. A search typically requires the person of interest's first and last name. However, retrieving additional records about the person may attract a nominal fee.

Get Washington County Criminal Records

According to Title 18, § 9102 of the Consolidated Statutes of Pennsylvania, a criminal record contains arrest and prosecutorial information gathered by criminal justice agencies about a particular individual. It includes identifiable descriptions, notations of arrests, indictments, and dispositions.

People looking to get Washington County criminal records should begin at the Pennsylvania State Police. This agency compiles, maintains, and disseminates criminal history record information to Washington County residents and citizens.

To acquire criminal records, a subject of the record or their legal representative can submit Form SP4-170 for Individual Access and Review. The form should be completed and mailed to:

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

Applicants must also include materials for proper identification, such as a valid government-issued photo ID, legal affidavit, or proof of representation, along with a $20 fee payable by certified check or money order to the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania".

Aside from Form SP4-170, the PSP provides the public with a web-based computer application called Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH). Unlike the form method, which may take longer to process, one can obtain results immediately by applying online. If results cannot be provided immediately, the PATCH Unit will email the user with a control number, which they can use to log back into the system to obtain the results later.

Employees and other interested public members can also run a criminal history background check on a person by downloading form SP 4-164. The cost is $22, plus an additional $5 for notarization. The Pennsylvania State Police provides more clarity on criminal history record requests by phone at 1-888-QUERY-PA ((888) 783-7972).

Finally, individuals can request a nationwide criminal records check from the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) for $18. A national check encompasses a person's run-ins with county, state, and federal criminal justice agencies. However, only subjects of records can order these documents from the FBI.

Washington County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An arrest record provides information about a person's arrest and detainment for a crime. It does not include their court proceedings or the outcome of their prosecution, nor does it imply that one is guilty of an offense.

Conversely, criminal records provide comprehensive details of a person's involvement with the local, state, and federal criminal justice system. This includes their arrests, prosecutions, sentencing, incarceration, and post-conviction events.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. Anyone with a record of arrest in Washington County maintains that record until it is expunged (erased). However, not everyone qualifies for this form of relief in Washington County.

Expunge Washington County Arrest Records

An expungement is a legal procedure in which a person petitions the court to erase information about their arrest or conviction from the public records. If achieved, such a person can claim they have never been arrested.

However, under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, individuals must satisfy certain conditions to qualify to expunge an arrest record in Washington County:

• No disposition has been received or recorded in the repository within 18 months of the date of arrest.
• A court order demands the expungement of a person's non-conviction data.
• The subject has received an unconditional pardon for an offense
• The subject is 21 or older, was convicted of a Section 6308 (summary) offense on or after their 18th birthday, and has served their sentence. However, the person must have stayed free from arrest or prosecution for five years since the conviction.
• The subject was acquitted.
• The person reaches 70 and has avoided arrest or prosecution for 10 years since their final release from confinement or supervision.
• The subject of the record has been deceased for three years.

If one meets these criteria, they may follow these steps to expunge an adult arrest record:

• Collect an "Expungement Packet" from the Washington County Clerk of Courts office at 1 South Main Street Suite 1005, Washington, PA 15301. The packet must be completed and costs $192 to file.
• Take the expungement packet to the Washington Clerk of Courts to verify and certify the Affidavit form that one has fully served their sentence.
• Afterward, drop off the packet at the receptionist desk of the Adult Probation Office. A Probation Officer will review and notarize the expungement form.
• Next, take the expungement packet to the District Attorney's Office. The District Attorney typically requires an attached copy of the defendant's criminal history.
• Afterward, the District Attorney's office will review the expungement and approve or object to the request.
• Finally, a judge will review the petition and approve or deny it.

The court is not authorized to grant an expungement if the subject was placed on accelerated rehabilitative disposition (ARD) for a violation in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 (b.1), where the victim was under 18 years old.

Individuals who satisfy statutory requirements can file a Petition for an Order for Limited Access per 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1 instead to limit the dissemination of their criminal history record information. Juveniles can also file for expungement of their arrest records under Criminal Rules 170 & 172.

The Office of the Clerk of Courts can be reached at (724) 228-6787 for detailed guidelines and information regarding the expungement of arrest records in Washington County.

Washington County Arrest Warrants

An arrest is an official order issued by a judge for a person's physical seizure and detainment due to a crime. Under Pa. Code Rule 513, the burden of proof lies with the requesting peace officer ("affiant") to prove sufficient facts ("probable cause") for an arrest. If probable cause is determined, the county judge will issue an arrest warrant with their signature stating the suspect's name, a description of the alleged crime, county of issuance, and the arresting agency.

Washington County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals can find active Washington County arrest warrants by accessing the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal. The basic search parameters are a case participant's name or docket number. Individuals can also look up warrant information at the local courthouse where a case was filed.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office can also be reached at (724) 228-6840 for existing arrest warrants.

Do Washington County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Any arrest warrant issued for a person's apprehension in Washington County remains valid until executed and returned to the court. However, the issuing authority can recall a warrant upon discovering good cause.