was I arrested?

[yabbadabba]

Hi all...

1st, let me express my sincere appreciation for all LE officers. Thank you for keeping us
civilians safe.

That said, I have a question regarding an incident that occurred over a decade ago.

Note: I have no criminal record.

Here are the facts: It was late at night, and I was driving a friend and myself home.
I was pulled over and the police officer asked if he could search my car. I said "sure," even though I knew my friend had a small amount of marijuana (I was scared, and figured compliance is the best policy).

Anywho, they arrested my friend (handcuffs, drove him to the police station). The cop said I could drive my car to the cop station and pick my friend up to give him a ride home. Well, when I got there, I sat down while my friend was getting booked, and the other police officer asked me to come into this office. He wanted to know where my friend got the pot. I told him to the best of my knowledge and wrote out on a sheet of paper what happened (regarding my friends arrest/me getting pulled over).

I was then fingerprinted (but, no photo, no charges, no accusations). My friend and I then left the police station. Also, my friend had his charge expunged.

Question: Does this in anyway mean I was arrested, or detained? Where can I find out if I have an arrest record from this incident?

Thanks a million!

[retdetsgt]

If you weren't given a date to appear in court, you weren't arrested. They will have a file showing you were with someone who was arrested, but you are still clean.

If you're still worried, contact that police department by letter.

[mcsap]

If you were arrested , you would have been treated the same as him as far as some sort of a formal charge. There would have been paper charges , court , arraignment , bail , trial etc.

They probably got all of your info just in case but if your buddy fessed up that it was his , they seem to have accepted that and not bothered with you.

[yabbadabba]

thanx for the info...

The only reason this may be an issue is that I am applying for a job that has a comprehensive background check (4-6 month investigation and must sign a waiver of my privacy rights). I recently spoke with a friend and what he told me made me worry that I have an "arrest" record, even though I wasn't' charged... It was a real small town (if that matters) located 1k away, but I just want to be 100% candid on my application because an omission could cost me my job... so, i will probably disclose in an abundance of caution because what if my fingerprints were sent into the NCIC or the State police repository?!?! I don't know the law or procedures, but, it just gives me the willies thinking about losing this job opportunity.

Thanks again.

[icu650]

Stop giving yourself the "willies" and keep in your mind that you are going to be 100% honest. If this is the only thing you are worried about, I don't think you will have any problems concerning this incident. Good luck.

[greg72982]

What state are you in?

[yabbadabba]

What state are you in?

Hey Greg,

Incident occurred in PA. I'm located 1k miles away so I'm in a pickle ascertaining a record of what happened, if one even exists (my friend had his charge expunged).

[greg72982]

Hey Greg,

Incident occurred in PA. I'm located 1k miles away so I'm in a pickle ascertaining a record of what happened, if one even exists (my friend had his charge expunged).

Go to this site: Magisterial District Judge Docket Sheet

Where it says "Search type" select "Participant name" then type in your first and last name, DOB, and the county in which it occurred. If this was ten years ago and anything at all was filed it will show up. That site will even show traffic violations.

[yabbadabba]

Gregg, you da man! That website you referred me to is incredible!!!! I found my entire history (few traffic citations n such). What do you think the cop did with my fingerprints? Was he just trying to scare me (I was 19 at the time)...

Well, anyway, thank you Gregg, and everyone else for taking the time to answer my questions. I really appreciate the LE community, and the sacrifices and dangers ya'll overcome/encounter in your daily lives to make the world a safer place. Thank you and God bless.

[greg72982]

Gregg, you da man! That website you referred me to is incredible!!!! I found my entire history (few traffic citations n such). What do you think the cop did with my fingerprints? Was he just trying to scare me (I was 19 at the time)...

Well, anyway, thank you Gregg, and everyone else for taking the time to answer my questions. I really appreciate the LE community, and the sacrifices and dangers ya'll overcome/encounter in your daily lives to make the world a safer place. Thank you and God bless.

The fingerprinting may have just been a just in case type of thing. Maybe they planned to charge you originally but then once your friend took the blame they prob just left them in the file...


And please, call me Greg (one "g" at the end).