>Westmoreland County Arrest Records Online

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania?

Arrest records are public documents in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This legislation establishes the framework for public access to government records, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies within the county. The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law affirms that citizens have a fundamental right to information concerning the activities of their government, including law enforcement actions such as arrests.

The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental and societal purposes:

Promotes transparency in the criminal justice system
Enables citizens to monitor law enforcement activities
Provides information relevant to public safety concerns
Supports journalistic reporting on matters of public interest
Facilitates background checks for employment and housing purposes

Certain exceptions may apply to the public disclosure of arrest records, particularly in cases involving juveniles, ongoing investigations, or where disclosure would compromise public safety. These exceptions are specifically enumerated in § 67.708 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Westmoreland County?

Westmoreland County provides digital access to arrest records through several official online platforms. The Westmoreland County Public Record Search system offers a comprehensive portal for accessing various public records, including those related to criminal proceedings and arrests. Additionally, the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania maintains a statewide case search function that includes Westmoreland County arrest information.

Online access to these records is governed by the following provisions:

Records are searchable by name, case number, and other identifiers
Digital access is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
Some records may require registration or payment of nominal fees
Certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with Pennsylvania law
Historical records may have limited online availability

The Westmoreland County Current Inmate Search provides real-time information about individuals currently in custody at county detention facilities. This resource includes booking information and charges for persons who have been recently arrested.

How to Look Up Westmoreland County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Westmoreland County. Interested parties may utilize any of the following official channels:

Visit the Westmoreland County Courthouse in person: Westmoreland County Courthouse 2 N. Main Street Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone: 724-830-3826 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Official Website
Contact the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office: Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office 2 N. Main Street, Suite 111 Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone: 724-830-3457 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Official Website
Utilize the Westmoreland County online case lookup system: The Case Lookup portal provides access to both civil and criminal case information, including arrest records.
Access the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal: The Unified Judicial System Docket Sheets contain comprehensive information about criminal proceedings, including initial arrest data.

Pursuant to Pennsylvania law, requestors seeking arrest records must provide sufficient information to identify the specific records being sought. This typically includes the full name of the individual and, if possible, the date of birth or approximate date of arrest.

Contents of a Westmoreland County Arrest Record

Westmoreland County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Pennsylvania law and local regulations. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or alternative names
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific criminal charges filed, with reference to applicable statutes
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency information
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint classification data
Case or docket number assigned to the proceedings
Initial bail determination or bond information
Preliminary hearing date, if applicable

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense, the arresting agency's protocols, and the stage of the criminal proceedings. Records pertaining to arrests that result in formal charges will generally contain more detailed information than those where charges were not pursued.

It should be noted that pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121, criminal history record information maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police may contain additional details not available in county-level arrest records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Westmoreland County

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. In Westmoreland County, the expungement process is governed by 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, which establishes the criteria and procedures for removing arrest information from public access.

Eligibility for expungement in Westmoreland County typically requires one of the following conditions:

The individual was not convicted of the offense (charges were dismissed, withdrawn, or resulted in acquittal)
The arrest resulted in an ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) program completion
The conviction was for a summary offense, and the individual has remained arrest-free for five years
The individual has reached 70 years of age and has been arrest-free for ten years
The individual received a pardon from the Governor of Pennsylvania

The expungement petition process requires:

Filing a formal petition with the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas
Payment of applicable filing fees (approximately $250 as of 2025)
Notification to the District Attorney's Office, which has 30 days to file objections
Judicial review and determination, which may include a hearing if objections are raised
Issuance of an expungement order to relevant agencies if approved

Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts 2 N. Main Street, Suite 203 Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone: 724-830-3734 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Official Website

Upon successful expungement, records are removed from public databases, though certain law enforcement and governmental entities may retain limited access to the information for official purposes under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(c).

Legal Restrictions on Using Arrest Records in Westmoreland County

Pennsylvania law imposes significant restrictions on how arrest records may be utilized, particularly in employment contexts. The Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9125) specifically limits employers' use of arrest information that did not result in conviction.

Key restrictions applicable in Westmoreland County include:

Employers may only consider felony and misdemeanor convictions that relate directly to the applicant's suitability for the specific position
Arrests not leading to conviction cannot be considered in employment decisions
Housing providers face similar restrictions under fair housing regulations
Educational institutions have limited authority to consider arrest records in admissions decisions
Licensing boards must follow specific statutory guidelines when evaluating arrest records

Violations of these provisions may result in civil liability, administrative penalties, or other legal consequences. Individuals who believe their arrest records have been improperly used may file complaints with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission or pursue private legal action.