Westmoreland County Arrest Records

Westmoreland arrest records provide a comprehensive overview of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, including details of arrests, charges, and booking information.

In Westmoreland County, individuals suspected of violating the law are briefly detained for questioning. If there is enough evidence to ascertain probable cause, the process culminates in an arrest. Inmates are typically held at the Westmoreland County Prison, pending court proceedings or transfer to a state facility.

Note: Arrest records may sometimes become part of Westmoreland County Court Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Westmoreland County?

Yes, Westmoreland County arrest records are generally considered public records. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law grants the public the right to access government records, including arrest records.

However, some categories of records and information are restricted by statute and not accessible to the public, including:

• Ongoing Investigations: Information about investigations may be kept from public view to protect the integrity of ongoing criminal inquiries. This ensures that investigations are not compromised and that the rights of those involved, particularly victims, informants, and witnesses, are safeguarded.
• Expunged Records: Arrest records that have been expunged or sealed are not available to the public.
• Juvenile Records: Records concerning juvenile offenders are typically kept confidential under the Juvenile Act. Access to juvenile arrest records is limited to certain entities, including law enforcement personnel, parole boards, and parties involved in the case.
• Other exemptions are summarized in 65 P.S. § 67.708.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, the following information contained in Westmoreland County arrest records is generally considered to be public:

• The identity of the defendant: Names, aliases, date of birth, and age.
• Mugshot
• Physical description: sex, race, height, weight, tattoos, hair or eye color
• Name of the arresting agency and officer(s)
• The date, time, and location of the arrest
• The charges
• Previous arrests
• The bail amount
• The sentence or disposition of the case

Westmoreland County Crime Rate

According to a 2018 report, crime data from the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System, Westmoreland County recorded 648 violent crimes and 3,440 property crimes. In the violent crimes category, there were eight murders, 473 aggravated assaults, 66 rapes, and 101 robberies. Under property crimes, there were 21 arsons, 135 motor vehicle thefts, 2,749 larcenies, and 535 burglaries.

Based on these numbers, Westmoreland County recorded a 4.51% increase in violent crimes and a 17.28% decrease in property crimes compared to the previous year. This accounts for a 33% increase in murders, but a 15.6% decrease in motor vehicle thefts, a 15.88% decrease in larcenies, and a 12% decrease in rapes. Arson remained the same between both years.

Westmoreland County Arrest Statistics

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) publishes annual reports on crime statistics. According to the PSP's 2020 Annual Uniform Crime Report, Westmoreland County had 4,444 reported arrests and 2,441.9 arrests per 100,000 inhabitants. The county's incarceration rate was 0.6% in 2020, with 1,444 inmates in the Westmoreland County Correctional Facility. The majority of arrests in Westmoreland County were for violent crimes (52.5%), property crimes (44.1%), and drug offenses (3.4%).

Find Westmoreland County Arrest Records

In Westmoreland County, the County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with other law enforcement partners with jurisdiction within the county, creates and files arrest records and police incident records.

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) maintains a portal, the DOC Inmate and Parolee Locator, which contains records on every inmate and parolee under its jurisdiction. Information on those arrested and incarcerated within the DOC and those under parole supervision may be retrieved.

Researchers may search inmate records by their names, inmate/parole number, gender, county of arrest, current location (place of incarceration), release date (for parolees), citizenship, and date of birth.

Furthermore, interested persons may also find information on federal prison and inmate information from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Prisons. Also, individuals may find federal inmates on this searchable database by any of their names, race, sex, age, or registered number (FBI, DCDC, INS, or BOP registered number).

Free Arrest Record Search in Westmoreland County

The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law mandates that state and local agencies make their records available to the public. In line with this, agencies in Westmoreland County may not charge fees except for the actual cost of copying records. Individuals may directly contact the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office with a request to access arrest records. They may as well contact the arresting agency. Some basic information, like the arrest date, arresting officer, and location of the arrest, may be obtained through a simple inquiry.

Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office
2 N Main St,
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: (724) 830-3457

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) web portal provides free access to some public records, including arrest and criminal case information. Searches may be conducted using the individual’s name or case number.

Get Westmoreland County Criminal Records

A criminal record is a comprehensive history of an individual’s criminal convictions and interactions with the criminal justice system. This record details all arrests, charges, prosecutions, convictions, trials, court orders, dismissed or pending charges, and sentences. Westmoreland County criminal records provide detailed information about the crimes, their severity, any jail time served, probation or parole eligibility, fines, and outstanding warrants.

The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) Unit is a central repository for criminal history records. It was created to ensure public access to criminal records. However, Individuals who wish to access and review criminal information must be the subject of the record or their legal representative.

Interested individuals should mail the form SP4-170, "Request For Individual Access and Review,” to the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository. The form must be submitted with proof of identification (state or government-issued ID) and the requisite $20 fee.

Westmoreland County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Criminal records and arrest records in Westmoreland County serve different purposes. Arrest records document incidents where law enforcement arrested an individual, including specific details surrounding the arrest. These records primarily reflect law enforcement actions and do not necessarily indicate guilt or conviction.

On the other hand, criminal records encompass an exhaustive overview of an individual's criminal history. They include information about arrests, charges filed, court proceedings, convictions, and any related penalties or sentences. Criminal records provide a comprehensive summary of a person's interactions with the judicial system, including arrest and conviction information.

Simply put, arrest records focus on specific instances of law enforcement involvement, while criminal records provide a more comprehensive view of an individual's criminal history, including arrest and court outcomes.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. Arrest records in Westmoreland County typically remain on an individual's record unless they are expunged or sealed. Expungement may be possible under certain conditions, such as if charges were dismissed or the person was acquitted. Convictions for certain offenses may also be eligible for expungement after a specified period without further legal issues.

Expunge Westmoreland County Arrest Records

The Criminal History Record Information Act governs the expungement process in Westmoreland County. It 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.

Under Pennsylvania law, an individual is eligible for expungement of their arrest records if, after arrest, the arrestee was released, the case was dismissed, the charges were dropped, there was no disposition of such a case, or the individual was found not guilty at trial.

An individual who meets the conditions for expungement may file a petition with the clerk of the courts of the judicial district in which the charges were dismissed. The petition must include the following:

• The petitioner's name, previous names or aliases, address, date of birth, and social security number;
• The name and address of the judge of the court of common pleas who accepted the guilty plea or heard the case;
• The name and mailing address of the affiant as shown on the complaint, if available
• The Court docket number or the court of common pleas docket number
• The offense tracking number (OTN)
• The date of the arrest, and, if available, the name of the arresting agency
• The exact charges, as they are stated on the charging document, to be expunged;
• The disposition, sentence, and fines paid
• The reason(s) for expungement; and
• An attestation by the petitioner that facts claimed in the petition are true and correct to the best of the petitioner's personal knowledge or information and belief

Also, for persons arrested in Westmoreland County, they or their legal representatives may follow these steps to file a petition to expunge an arrest or criminal record:

• Print and complete the SP 4-170 “Request for Access and Review” form
• Mail the form to the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository

The mail should include a certified check or money order for $20 payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a government-issued photo ID (copy), a legal affidavit, or a letter of representation (for legal representatives).

After filing a petition, the court conducts a hearing to determine whether the records qualify for expungement. Following the hearing, or if no objection has been filed or the hearing has been waived, the court shall order that the person's arrest information be automatically deleted unless the court determines the expungement relates to another criminal trial or arrest relating to the same charges.

Once the order is granted, the court shall notify all record custodians, law enforcement agencies, the Pennsylvania Department of Correction, and Courts to delete the record from all public access terminals as it is now subject to an order of non-disclosure.

Westmoreland County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Westmoreland County is a legitimate document issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing law enforcement to arrest an individual. Warrants are typically issued when there is reason to believe a person has committed a crime, as established under Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 513. They are typically issued when an individual is suspected of committing a crime, fails to appear in court as required, or when an immediate arrest is necessary to prevent further criminal activity or flight during an ongoing investigation.

Westmoreland County arrest warrants are issued based on probable cause supported by affidavits. The issuing authority may use advanced communication technology to submit and issue warrants. Before submission, the affiant must communicate with the issuing authority in person, by telephone, or through a device allowing simultaneous audio-visual communication. During this communication, the authority verifies the affiant's identity and administers an oath.

An arrest warrant typically includes the following information:

• The name of the court that issued the warrant.
• The name of the defendant.
• Their physical description, including height, weight, hair color, eye color, and other unique features may help identify them.
• The criminal offense charged against the individual.
• The official issuing date of the warrant
• The signature of the judge issuing the warrant.
• The bail amount

Westmoreland County Arrest Warrant Search

Interested individuals may find and obtain recent arrests in Westmoreland County by contacting the appropriate arresting agency. To expedite the search process, requesters must know the arresting agency and the location of the arrest and track down the correct department. For example, if a person has been recently arrested, their loved ones or interested persons may head to the closest precinct within the jurisdiction where the individual was apprehended.

Do Westmoreland County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Westmoreland County arrest warrants are valid indefinitely. A person may be arrested anywhere and at any time after a warrant for their arrest is issued. However, law enforcement officers must execute the warrant within a reasonable time to prevent undue delay.

After a person has been arrested, the warrant is said to have been “executed” and not expired. Individuals who wish to contest an arrest warrant or turn themselves into law enforcement custody are advised to consult with an attorney who may advise them on the best course of action or negotiate a plea deal with the prosecutor.