Armstrong County Jail Records
Armstrong County jail records document every arrest processed at the county detention facility in Kittanning. The jail holds both pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates from across the county. Booking reports generated at this facility capture arrest details, charges, and personal information for each person brought into custody. Armstrong County makes these records available to the public through official channels, following Pennsylvania's open records laws. Several methods exist to search for and obtain booking reports from this rural county.
Armstrong County Quick Facts
How Armstrong County Processes Bookings
When a person is arrested in Armstrong County, they are taken to the jail at 171 Staleys Courts Road in Kittanning. The booking process starts right away. Staff collect the person's name, date of birth, and address. Fingerprints are taken and sent to state databases. A mugshot is captured. Medical needs are checked. All property is logged and stored.
Officers record the charges and any applicable bail conditions. Warrant checks run through state and national systems confirm if the person is wanted elsewhere. Every piece of data from this process goes into the Armstrong County booking report. The report serves as the official record of that arrest and stays on file with the county.
Both local police and Pennsylvania State Police out of the Kittanning station at 724-543-2011 bring arrestees to the Armstrong County jail. The facility handles pre-trial detention as well as sentenced inmates serving shorter terms. Each intake follows the same steps regardless of which agency made the arrest.
Note: The booking report is created at the time of arrest and may be updated as the case moves through the court system in Armstrong County.
Find Armstrong County Booking Reports
The most direct way to search for Armstrong County booking reports is to call the jail at 724-548-1352. Staff can confirm if a person is currently in custody and share basic booking details. For more complete records, you may need to visit the facility in person or submit a written request.
The Pennsylvania UJS Portal provides online access to court records tied to arrests in Armstrong County. You can search by name or case number. The portal shows charges, court dates, and case outcomes. It covers every county in the state and is free for basic searches. This tool connects the booking report to the court case that follows.
The Armstrong County government website has contact information for county offices. The Sheriff's Office can help with questions about warrants and law enforcement records. Reach out to the county directly for the most current information about how to access booking reports.
Armstrong County Records and Public Access Law
Under 65 P.S. § 67.301, the Right-to-Know Law in Pennsylvania, booking reports are public records. Anyone can request them. You do not have to live in Armstrong County. You do not need to explain why you want the records. The county must respond to your request within five business days.
To file a request, contact the Armstrong County open records officer. Put your request in writing. State the specific records you want. The county may charge a fee for copies, but access to the records themselves is a legal right under the statute. This process is useful for obtaining older Armstrong County booking reports that are no longer available through the jail roster or phone inquiries.
The image below shows the Armstrong County Sheriff's Office, which plays a role in local law enforcement and record keeping.
The Sheriff's Office handles civil process, courthouse security, and assists with warrant service throughout Armstrong County.
Armstrong County Criminal Record Searches
Booking reports are one part of a person's criminal record in Armstrong County. The Criminal History Record Information Act, 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101, governs the collection and sharing of criminal history data in Pennsylvania. This law controls what information is available beyond the basic booking report.
For a statewide criminal record search that includes Armstrong County, use the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History system at epatch.pa.gov. This returns convictions and pending cases linked to a name and date of birth. Sealed and expunged records do not appear. The system is run by the Pennsylvania State Police and covers all 67 counties.
Expungement of Armstrong County Records
Certain arrest records in Armstrong County can be expunged. Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, a person may petition the Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas to have qualifying records destroyed. This applies to arrests that ended in dismissal, acquittal, or certain minor offenses. Once granted, the booking report and related records are removed from public databases.
The Clean Slate law, Act 5 of 2019, adds another path. It allows automatic sealing of some misdemeanors and all summary offenses after a set period with no new arrests. Sealed records in Armstrong County no longer show up in public searches. Only law enforcement retains access for specific purposes.
Juvenile records are also protected. Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 6308, records for minors are confidential. They do not appear on the Armstrong County jail roster. Courts, law enforcement, and a few select agencies are the only ones who can view them. Parents and guardians can request access through the court.
Note: An expungement order in Armstrong County applies to all agencies that hold copies of the record, not just the court.
Armstrong County Inmate Alerts
VINELink offers free custody alerts for inmates in Armstrong County. Sign up at vinelink.com to get notified when an inmate is released, transferred, or escapes. Alerts arrive by phone, email, or text. The system works around the clock and covers every detention facility in the state.
This tool is valuable for victims and anyone who needs to track an inmate's status in Armstrong County. Rather than calling the jail for updates, VINELink sends the information to you as changes happen. It is a reliable way to stay informed about the custody status of someone whose booking report you have already reviewed in Armstrong County.
Armstrong County Booking Reports and Court Cases
A booking report marks the start of a case in the Armstrong County justice system. After booking, the person appears before a magisterial district judge for a preliminary arraignment. Bail is set at this stage. The case then moves to the Court of Common Pleas for further proceedings if charges are held.
The Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas handles criminal cases from arraignment through trial and sentencing. Court records build on the information in the booking report. They add hearing dates, plea details, verdicts, and sentences. Together, booking reports and court records tell the full story of a criminal case in Armstrong County. You can search court records through the UJS Portal to follow a case from arrest to resolution.
Nearby Counties
Armstrong County sits in western Pennsylvania and borders several other counties. If you cannot find the records you need in the Armstrong County system, try searching a neighboring county. Arrests near borders can sometimes be processed in the adjacent jurisdiction.