York County Arrest Records.

Arrests in York County are necessary when law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe an individual has committed a crime. This may include situations where an officer witnesses a crime, receives reliable information, or has sufficient evidence to justify the arrest.

Following arrest, the suspect is transported to a local police station or county jail for booking. During booking:

• officers will record the individual's personal information, such as name, date of birth, address, and aliases.
• A mugshot is taken to visually document the individual’s appearance at the time of arrest.
• Fingerprints are collected for identification and to check against criminal databases.
• The specific charges leading to the arrest are then documented, and additional information relating to the incident is provided.

After booking, the individual is held in the York County prison or another local facility, depending on the nature of the charges. Arrest records may be related to other public records, such as York County Court Records, which provide information on Court proceedings, case outcomes, and other legal documents.

Are Arrest Records Public in York County?

Yes, arrest records are generally considered public information in Pennsylvania under the Right-to-know law (Act 3 of 2008). However, certain information may be exempt from public disclosure, including:

• Records that are part of an ongoing investigation
• Arrest records of juveniles
• Details that may compromise the personal safety or privacy of victims.

To access arrest records, individuals typically need to provide identifying information such as the person's full name, date of arrest, and location of arrest, except in cases of exemption and restrictions as contained in Pennsylvania crime code 18 Pa.C. S§9122.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in York County typically contain:

• Name of the suspect
• Gender and age of the suspect
• Address and physical description of the arrested individual
• Specific offenses for which the individual was arrested, along with care numbers
• The law enforcement agency in charge of the arrest
• Date and time of arrest, location, and details of the booking
• Upcoming court dates

York County Arrest Statistics

As of 2023, York County, Pennsylvania, has an incarceration rate of 589 per 100,000 people, consisting of people in prisons, jails, immigration detention, and juvenile justice facilities. A total of 73,000 people from Pennsylvania are incarcerated in federal, state, and local jails.

Find York County Arrest Records

To look up arrest records in York County, individuals may use several state and federal resources. Some of these include:

• The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial system offers online access to case information through its docket search.
• The York County Prison Inmate Search.

Free Arrest Record Search in York County

For free resources to search arrest records in York County, individuals may consider the following:

• York County Prison websites for access to inmates' rosters and booking information at no cost
• Pennsylvania State Police for free Criminal History Request form. However, there may be a fee for detailed reports.
• Third-party websites may also be accessed for aggregated arrest records, although care should be taken concerning the accuracy and legality of the information contained there.

York County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records and criminal records are related but distinct. Arrest records document an individual's arrest, including circumstances and charges associated with the arrest. This record does not necessarily indicate a conviction, while criminal records provide a broader history of an individual's criminal activity, including arrests, convictions, sentences, and any subsequent legal proceedings. Criminal records include information about offenses that led to convictions and other legal outcomes.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Pennsylvania, arrest records generally remain on an individual's record indefinitely unless they are expunged. However, if an arrest does not lead to a conviction, an individual may be eligible for expungement under certain conditions, which may remove the arrest record from public databases.

Expunge York County Arrest Records

Per 18 Pa.C.S. §9122, expungement in York County, Pennsylvania, is a legal process that removes arrest or conviction records from an individual’s criminal history. The following conditions, requirements, and processes guide the expungement of York County arrest records.

• Non-conviction records, such as charges that were dismissed, withdrawn, or resulted in acquittal, are automatically available for expungement. However, automatic expungement does not account for acquittals with partial convictions.
• Individuals may also petition for expungement of minor violations if they have been free of arrest or prosecution for five years following the conviction.
• Individuals aged 70 years or older who have been free from arrest for at least ten years after completing their sentence may request expungement.
• Expungement is possible if a person has been deceased for more than three years.
• Completion of the pre-trial diversion program such as the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program may also make an individual eligible for expungement though offenses involving minors are excluded.
• Low-level misdemeanor records may be sealed without petition under the Pennsylvania Clean Slate law if the individual meets conditions like remaining arrest free for ten years.

Eligible persons must file a petition for Expungement with the Clerk of Courts in York County.

• Filing a petition for expungement involves completing the expungement petition form with personal details, arrest information, charges, case number and reason for expungement and attaching copies of the applicant's Court docket sheet, summary offense records or ARD completion certificates. Petition for expungement may be filed at.

York County Clerk of Courts
45, North George Street,
York, PA 17401
(717) 711-9611

York County typically charges fees to process expungement petitions. Although fees vary based on the nature of the offense to which an individual was arrested for. Indigent individuals may file a petition to waive fees.

The petition must be served on the York County District Attorney's Office at 45 N George St, York, PA 17401, (717) 771-9600. This allows the DA to review the request and either agree or object to the expungement.

If the DA consents, the expungement request moves smoothly. The judge may approve it without a hearing. If the DA objects, a hearing will be scheduled for both sides to present arguments.

During the hearing, the petitioner or their attorney must argue for expungement. The judge will consider factors such as the petitioner's criminal history, the circumstances surrounding the arrest, and the public interest.

If the judge approves the petition, the court will issue an Order of Expungement, which instructs:

• Law enforcement agencies to delete the records.
• State Police and other databases to remove data from the public access system, like the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system.
• The court typically allows 30-60 days for agencies to comply and remove records.

After expungement is granted, applicants may follow up relevant agencies like the Pennsylvania State Police to ensure the records have been removed from their databases.

Note: If a case qualifies under the Clean Slate Act (18 Pa. C.S. §9122.1), expungement may occur automatically, with no need to file a petition. However, not all offenses are eligible under this law, as it primarily applies to minor misdemeanors and certain summary offenses.

York County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are legal documents issued by a judge or magistrate that authorize law enforcement to arrest a specific individual. The process for issuing arrest warrants in York County typically states that:

• Law enforcement must present evidence to a judge demonstrating probable cause that a crime has been committed and that the individual named in the warrant is responsible for the crime.

An arrest warrant typically includes:

• Name of the individual to be arrested
• Specific charges against them
• A description of the individual (if available)
• Date, time, office, and signature of issuing magistrate.

Arrest warrants are necessary when immediate action is required to apprehend a suspect, especially if there is a risk of flight or danger to the community. Individuals may consult the York County Sheriff's Office for information on possible arrest warrants issued to them. They may also visit the York County Sheriff's office at 45 N George ST, York, PA 17402, or call their office at (717) 771-9600.

Do York County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Pennsylvania do not have a formal expiration date, but they may become stale if they are not executed within a reasonable time frame. Various factors may affect the execution of arrest warrants, including:

• Changes in the case such as where the defendant is charged with another offense or the case being resolved.
• The suspect moves to another jurisdiction, which may complicate the execution of a warrant.
• The judge or magistrate withdraws the warrant for specific reasons as has become necessary.

An arrest warrant is executed when the suspect surrenders to the police or the police arrest the suspect.