Westmoreland County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Westmoreland County
Arrest records in Westmoreland County are considered public information under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101), which establishes the presumption that government records are accessible to the public. However, access to these records is subject to certain limitations and exceptions as defined by the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S.A. § 9101) et seq.
The distinction between arrest records and conviction records is significant in Westmoreland County. Arrest records document the initial apprehension and charging of an individual, while conviction records indicate that a person has been found guilty of a crime through legal proceedings. Under Pennsylvania law, conviction records are more readily accessible to the public than arrest records that did not result in convictions.
The Pennsylvania State Police maintains the central repository for criminal history record information and provides guidelines for public access to these records. Law enforcement agencies in Westmoreland County, including the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office, follow these state regulations when responding to public requests for arrest information.
Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or other legally protected information pursuant to exemptions outlined in the Right-to-Know Law.
What's in Westmoreland County Arrest Records
Westmoreland County arrest records contain standardized information documenting an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include the following components:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Home address
- Identification numbers (state ID, FBI number if applicable)
- Photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprints
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Reason for arrest
- Whether force was used during arrest
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statute citations
- Offense classification (misdemeanor or felony)
- Offense description
- Offense date and time
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing authority
- Date issued
- Type of warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking date and time
- Booking facility
- Booking officer
- Property inventory
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bail amount
- Bond type
- Bond conditions
- Payment status
- Release eligibility
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Docket number
- Scheduled court appearances
- Judge assigned to case
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Housing location if incarcerated
- Projected release date if applicable
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history
- Probation/parole status
- Known aliases
- Vehicle information related to arrest
- Victim information (often redacted in public records)
- Witness information (often redacted in public records)
The specific content of arrest records may vary depending on the arresting agency and the circumstances of the arrest. Access to certain elements of these records may be restricted based on privacy laws and ongoing investigation considerations.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Westmoreland County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Westmoreland County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for record retrieval, each with specific procedures:
- Visit the Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts Office in person:
Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts
2 North Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3734
Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts
Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Requestors should:
- Complete a public records request form
- Provide specific information about the record sought (full name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest)
- Present valid photo identification
- Pay applicable fees (currently $15 for record search, additional fees may apply for copies)
- Submit a written request by mail:
- Download and complete the public records request form from the county website
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees
- Mail to the Clerk of Courts address listed above
- Request records from the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office:
Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office
2 North Main Street, Suite 111
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3457
Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office
- Contact the arresting police department directly:
- Local municipal police departments maintain their own arrest records
- Contact information for specific departments can be found on the Westmoreland County website
- Submit a Right-to-Know request:
- Direct requests to the county's designated Right-to-Know Officer
- Use the standard RTK request form available on the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records website
- Specify the records being sought with reasonable particularity
Pursuant to Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, agencies must respond to requests within five business days, though extensions may apply in certain circumstances.
How To Find Westmoreland County Arrest Records Online
Westmoreland County provides several digital platforms for accessing arrest records and related information online. These resources allow members of the public to conduct searches remotely:
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Westmoreland County Public Record Searches Portal The county maintains a comprehensive public record searches section on its official website. This portal serves as a gateway to various record databases including criminal records.
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Westmoreland County Case Lookup System The Case Lookup system allows users to search for both civil and criminal cases processed through the county court system. This resource provides case status, scheduled hearings, and disposition information.
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Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal The statewide court system maintains a searchable database at https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/ that includes Westmoreland County criminal cases. Users can search by:
- Participant name
- Case number
- Filing date
- Court of Common Pleas or Magisterial District Court
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Westmoreland County Inmate Search The Search Current Inmates function allows users to verify if an individual is currently incarcerated in the county correctional facility. This resource provides:
- Inmate name
- Booking date
- Charges
- Custody status
- Court information
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Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record Information For official criminal history records, the Pennsylvania State Police provides an online request system at https://epatch.state.pa.us/. This service:
- Requires payment of a fee (currently $22 per record)
- Provides certified criminal history information
- Includes arrests and dispositions statewide
When using online systems, users should note that:
- Some records may not be immediately available in digital format
- Certain case details may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws
- The most comprehensive information may still require direct contact with the relevant agency
- Online searches may require creation of user accounts or payment of fees
How To Search Westmoreland County Arrest Records for Free?
Westmoreland County residents and other interested parties have several options to access arrest records without incurring fees. These no-cost methods include:
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Westmoreland County Prison Inmate Locator The county provides a free inmate search tool that allows users to verify if an individual is currently incarcerated. This resource includes basic arrest information for current inmates.
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Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator The state maintains an Inmate/Department Supervised Individual Locator that includes individuals housed in Westmoreland County facilities. This database provides:
- Current location
- Minimum and maximum sentence dates
- Parole eligibility
- Basic offense information
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Public Access Terminals at County Facilities Free computer terminals are available for public use at:
Westmoreland County Courthouse
2 North Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3000
These terminals provide access to:
- Criminal docket information
- Court schedules
- Case status updates
- Basic arrest record information
- Westmoreland County Law Library The public law library offers free access to legal research tools and court records:
Westmoreland County Law Library
2 North Main Street, 3rd Floor
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3835
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Local Newspaper Police Blotters and Court Reports Local publications such as the Tribune-Review regularly publish arrest information and court proceedings as part of their public service reporting.
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Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal The UJS Portal provides free access to court docket information, which often includes arrest details for cases that have entered the court system.
Users should be aware that free resources typically provide more limited information than paid services. Additionally, while basic record searches may be free, obtaining certified copies or complete records may still require payment of statutory fees.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Westmoreland County
Pennsylvania law provides specific mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records through expungement (legal erasure) or sealing (restricting public access). These processes are governed by 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 and 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1 (Clean Slate Law).
Expungement vs. Sealing:
- Expungement physically destroys records or removes all identifying information, making them inaccessible to the public and most government agencies
- Sealing (also called "limited access") restricts public access to records but preserves them for law enforcement and certain authorized agencies
Eligibility for Expungement: Individuals may qualify for expungement in Westmoreland County under the following circumstances:
- Non-conviction records (cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi, or withdrawn charges)
- Summary offense convictions after five years of arrest-free behavior
- Underage drinking convictions for individuals now 21 or older
- Successful completion of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program
- Individuals over 70 who have been arrest-free for 10 years
- Deceased individuals (upon application by personal representative)
Eligibility for Record Sealing: Under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law, certain records may be eligible for sealing:
- Misdemeanor convictions after 10 years without subsequent arrests
- Summary convictions after 10 years
- Charges not resulting in convictions after 60 days from disposition
Process for Expungement or Sealing in Westmoreland County:
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Obtain Criminal Record Information: Request a copy of your criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police through the PATCH system.
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File a Petition:
- Complete the appropriate petition form (expungement or sealing)
- File with the Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts
- Pay the filing fee (currently $132, though fee waivers may be available)
Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts
2 North Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3734
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Serve Notice: Provide copies of the petition to:
- District Attorney's Office
- Pennsylvania State Police
- Arresting agency
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Attend Hearing: If the District Attorney objects to the petition, a hearing will be scheduled before a Court of Common Pleas judge.
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Obtain Court Order: If granted, the court will issue an order directing relevant agencies to expunge or seal the records.
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Verify Completion: Follow up with agencies to ensure compliance with the court order.
Due to the legal complexities involved, individuals seeking expungement or sealing of records are advised to consult with an attorney. The Westmoreland County Bar Association offers referral services for those needing legal assistance.
What Happens After Arrest in Westmoreland County?
The criminal justice process in Westmoreland County follows a structured sequence of events after an arrest occurs:
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Arrest and Booking
- The individual is taken into custody by law enforcement
- Transportation to a local police station or the Westmoreland County Prison
- Booking procedures include fingerprinting, photographing, personal information collection, and property inventory
- Initial detention in a holding cell
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Preliminary Arraignment
- Occurs within 72 hours of arrest (typically much sooner)
- Conducted before a Magisterial District Judge
- Formal reading of charges
- Determination of bail conditions
- Appointment of counsel for indigent defendants
- Scheduling of preliminary hearing
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Bail Determination
- Based on factors including:
- Severity of alleged offense
- Prior criminal history
- Community ties
- Flight risk assessment
- May result in:
- Release on recognizance (ROR)
- Monetary bail
- Conditional release
- Detention without bail for serious offenses
- Based on factors including:
-
Preliminary Hearing
- Held within 3-10 days of preliminary arraignment (unless waived)
- Prosecution must establish prima facie case
- Determination if sufficient evidence exists to proceed
- Cases may be dismissed, withdrawn, or bound over for Court of Common Pleas
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Formal Arraignment
- Occurs approximately 30-60 days after preliminary hearing
- Formal reading of charges at Court of Common Pleas
- Entry of plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Discovery process begins
- Pretrial conference scheduled
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Pretrial Proceedings
- Pretrial motions (suppression, dismissal, etc.)
- Plea negotiations
- Diversionary program applications (ARD, Drug Court, Veterans Court)
- Case management conferences
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Trial or Plea
- Jury trial or bench trial if pleading not guilty
- Guilty plea proceedings if agreement reached
- Verdict determination
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Sentencing
- Typically occurs 60-90 days after conviction
- Pre-sentence investigation may be conducted
- Victim impact statements
- Imposition of sentence (incarceration, probation, fines, restitution)
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Post-Conviction
- Appeal rights explained
- Transfer to correctional facility if incarcerated
- Probation supervision established if applicable
- Payment plans for fines and costs
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Rehabilitation and Reentry
- Participation in mandated programs
- Supervision compliance
- Eventual discharge from criminal justice system
Throughout this process, cases may be resolved through alternative means including:
- Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD)
- Problem-solving courts (Drug Court, Veterans Court, Mental Health Court)
- Diversion programs
- Plea agreements
The Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office and the Public Defender's Office play central roles in case processing and resolution.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Westmoreland County?
Arrest records in Westmoreland County are maintained according to retention schedules established by Pennsylvania law, specifically the County Records Act (16 P.S. § 13001-13006) and the Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S.A. § 9101-9183).
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission provides the official retention schedule that governs county records, including arrest records. Under current regulations:
Law Enforcement Records Retention:
- Arrest reports: Minimum 75 years
- Criminal investigation files: Minimum 25 years after case closure
- Incident reports: Minimum 5 years
- Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention
- Booking photographs (mugshots): Minimum 75 years
- Warrant information: Minimum 10 years after execution or expiration
Court Records Retention:
- Criminal case files (felonies): Permanent retention
- Criminal case files (misdemeanors): Minimum 20 years after final disposition
- Criminal case files (summary offenses): Minimum 7 years after final disposition
- Court dockets: Permanent retention
- Sentencing records: Permanent retention
Corrections Records Retention:
- Inmate files: Minimum 10 years after final discharge
- Commitment records: Permanent retention
- Inmate medical records: Minimum 7 years after release
Different agencies within Westmoreland County maintain separate record systems with varying retention requirements:
- Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records related to their law enforcement activities
- Westmoreland County Prison retains booking and incarceration records
- Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts preserves court case files and disposition information
- Local Police Departments within the county maintain their own arrest records
Records retention serves several important purposes:
- Preserves evidence for potential future legal proceedings
- Maintains documentation for background checks and security clearances
- Ensures accountability of the criminal justice system
- Provides historical documentation for statistical and research purposes
It should be noted that expungement or sealing orders supersede standard retention schedules. When a court orders expungement, the records must be destroyed or de-identified regardless of the standard retention period. Sealed records remain in existence but with restricted access.
How to Find Mugshots in Westmoreland County
What Mugshots Are
Mugshots, formally known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest. In Westmoreland County, these photographs serve as visual identification records of individuals processed into the criminal justice system. Typically, mugshots include front-facing and profile views of the arrestee, often accompanied by identifying information such as a booking number and date.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
In Westmoreland County, booking photographs are primarily maintained by:
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Westmoreland County Prison
3000 South Grande Boulevard
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-6000 -
Arresting Law Enforcement Agencies - Each municipal police department maintains records of arrests they conduct
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Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office
2 North Main Street, Suite 111
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3457
Finding Mugshots
Members of the public seeking mugshots in Westmoreland County have several potential avenues:
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Submit a Right-to-Know request to the appropriate agency:
- Requests must be submitted in writing using the standard RTK form
- Specify the individual's name and approximate date of arrest
- Provide justification for the request (though not legally required)
- Be prepared to pay reproduction fees if the request is approved
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Contact the arresting agency directly - Local police departments may have different policies regarding mugshot release
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Check court records - In some cases, mugshots may be included in court files accessible through the Clerk of Courts
Can Mugshots Be Found Online?
Currently, Westmoreland County does not maintain a public online database specifically for mugshots. While the county does offer an inmate search function, this resource typically does not include booking photographs. This policy aligns with growing privacy concerns and the potential negative impact of publicly available mugshots.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
For those requiring official access to booking photographs, the formal process includes:
- Complete the appropriate records request form
- Submit the request to the agency holding the records
- Pay any applicable fees (typically $15-25 per photograph)
- Provide proper identification when collecting the records
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Access to mugshots in Westmoreland County is subject to several important restrictions:
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Law enforcement agencies may withhold mugshots if:
- Release would interfere with an active investigation
- The photograph is part of a juvenile record
- Privacy concerns outweigh public interest
- The arrest record has been expunged or sealed
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Commercial use restrictions:
- Pennsylvania law 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121(d) prohibits the use of criminal history record information for commercial solicitation
- This restriction applies to mugshots obtained through official channels
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Ethical considerations:
- Mugshots represent individuals who may be presumed innocent
- Publication can cause lasting reputational harm
- Many jurisdictions are moving toward more restricted access policies
Individuals seeking mugshots should be aware that policies regarding their release continue to evolve as privacy concerns and ethical considerations are balanced against public information interests.