Public arrest records can be very useful for multiple purposes. These records not only ensure personal safety but also enable you to conduct thorough background checks on anyone you are dealing with. While there are many ways to access these records, the steps are usually the same.
So, worry not. We have designed this comprehensive guide to walk you through the process of obtaining public arrest records, where we will provide you with a clear approach to finding these records. Keep reading the blog to find these steps in comprehensive detail.
Step 1: Understand the Purpose
This is the step where you will set the foundation of your search for the records and identify why you actually need them. Knowing the exact reason will help you tailor your process accordingly and will also enable you to target the right approach.
There can be multiple purposes for accessing public arrest records. Some of the most important of them are personal safety, employment background checks, and legal proceedings.
Personal safety includes ensuring your own safety and the safety of your family. For example, if you are moving your family to a new neighborhood, you will need to check the arrest records of that area to find out if you are living among the right people.
Employment background checks, on the other hand, are done to find arrest record information on your new hires. It will enable you to find the right person for the job who has a clear track record.
Step 2: Identify the Jurisdiction
The next step you will have to follow is to identify and find the area where the crime happened. To do this, you will have to narrow down the area to the exact state, city, and town you think the crime happened.
For example, if you are trying to find Pennsylvania public arrest records, you will need to find the official website of the government and then visit those websites to access public arrest records. If you can’t find the records on the official website of the state, you can search for the Department of Public Safety or a similar entity and visit their website instead.
These agencies oversee the maintenance of criminal records for the entire state and can provide you with the right resources and instructions for accessing arrest records.
Step 3: Online Databases
If you can’t find any information on government websites, you can easily find online databases to find public arrest records. This is probably the most common and convenient way to access the records you want. To find these online databases, you can search on the search engines like Google for specific keywords.
For example, if you want to search for public arrest records in a specific state or county, you can search for “public arrest records (county or state name)”. This search query will provide you with the results where you can see multiple online databases listed on the page.
You can further narrow down the results by adding a person’s name or the date of their arrest. While you are on the website, you can also search for the query by using their own search bar. These websites are user-friendly and can be easily accessed and used.
Step 4: Requesting Records In-Person
If any state or county doesn’t have an online record of arrests, you can access these records by visiting their office in person. One office you can count on for providing you with the public arrest records is the Clerks of Courts office.
They are responsible for maintaining all the court records, which also include arrest records. Before you visit them in person, it is advised to find their contact number from the directory and call them to inquire about the process for requesting arrest records.
You can also visit the state-level agencies that are in charge of criminal records to provide you with public arrest records. Contact the agency and then visit their front desk to ask about the arrest records and the procedure to access them.
Step 5: Provide Necessary Information
When you are visiting the public offices to request the arrest records, they will ask you about your personal information as well as the information of the arrest records you want to access. This includes the full legal name of the person you’re inquiring about, their date of birth, and the crime they had committed.
Along with this, you will also need to provide some additional information about them and yourself. They may also ask you about your own social security number and the number of people you are inquiring about. You may also need to provide the address or arrest date to access the full record in a short time.
Step 6: Paying Fees (if applicable)
While some states provide records for free, other states and counties may charge a processing fee if you want to access arrest records. So, you will have to provide these fees to the office. However, we can’t mention the exact amount of fees because it might vary widely depending on the jurisdiction.
They may be nominal or more substantial, depending on the specific records requested. Along with this, there can also be different forms of payment methods included in the cost. So, make sure to have cash, credit cards, and checks by your side when you visit any public office to access the arrest records.
After paying this fee, you will be able to access the records in print or digital form. Be sure to keep them safe to prevent falling into the wrong hands.
Step 7: Reviewing and Verifying Information
By this step, you had already obtained the public arrest records. So, the only thing left now is to review and verify these records carefully for accuracy. Ensure that the records pertain to the correct person and incident you accessed them for.
It is quite possible that mistakes can occur in arrest records, so it is important to identify them and address any problems right away.
