How to Obtain New Arrest Records

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Track down recently reported arrests, both locally and nationally
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Time is of the essence when you’re searching for recent arrest reports, especially if you’re worried about a friend or relative. Local police department websites are your best bet if you’re trying to find recent arrests, but there are other avenues you can use, too—and we’re here to show you which ones. To aid you in your search, we’ve also covered some ways to find older arrests and criminal records.

Things You Should Know

  • Call your local police department directly and ask about any recent arrests. Provide the name of the person you’re concerned about.
  • Visit your local police department website to find information on recent arrests. Some PDs may report new arrests through sites like Crimewatch US .
  • Check your state’s public records for info on existing arrests, or use resources like the National Sex Offender Public Website or the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate search tool .
Section 1 of 2:

How to Find Recent Arrests

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  1. Provide the name of the person you’re curious about, along with any other helpful and relevant information (like what you think they might be charged with). Keep in mind that the police may not be able to give you very much info. [1]
    • Calling your police department is the best way to get super recent information on arrests, which is helpful if you’re worried about someone who’s gone missing.
  2. Arrest records typically qualify as public information, but public information isn’t managed on a federal level. [2] Your best bet is to search the name of your town and “police department” or “recent arrests” to find the webpage you’re looking for. Make sure to have the person’s first and last name on hand, as well as the crime you think they might be charged with.
    • For the quickest, most accurate information, call the police department directly and provide the name of the person you’re curious about. Keep in mind that the police may not be able to give you very much info. [3]
    • Some cities like Chicago have websites dedicated to searching for recent arrests.
    • Smaller police departments may use a service like Crimewatch US to post about new arrests.
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  3. A bail bondsman is an individual who posts bail on behalf of the defendant (requiring a non-refundable fee for their services). [4] Bondsmen know quite a bit about local legal systems, especially when it comes to arrests. Reach out to a local bondsman in your area to see if they can find out if the person in question was arrested, or if they know other places where you can find information. They might be limited in how much they can share, but it doesn’t hurt to ask!
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Section 2 of 2:

How to Find Older Arrests

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  1. Try searching your state’s public records . Look up the name of your state plus “public records” to find the proper public records website to search. Follow the instructions provided on this site to start your search—depending on the site, you may have to make an official account and pay a fee.
    • You can also check your local Clerk of Courts website to see if there’s an “online court records” page with a search option. Not all of these websites may have this feature, though.
  2. Search the National Sex Offender Public Website . To search on a state level, google your state along with “sex offender registry” to find a state-based list.
  3. Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ inmate search tool . Type in the name of the incarcerated criminal, or provide their prison-related ID number (like a DC, FBI, or BOP Register number). This search tool will pull up more information on the inmate, like where they’re located and when they’ll be released.
    • States also have inmate locator tools.
  4. Websites like TruthFinder, CriminalRecords, and PublicRecords let you search for records for a specific individual for a fee. If you aren’t having trouble navigating government websites, these services can cut out the middle person.
    • Keep in mind that these websites can’t give you access to sealed records. Unsealing court records requires legal action, and can’t be done by a website.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01399
      2. ↑ https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/public_record#
      3. ↑ https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01399
      4. ↑ https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/bail_bondsman

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