Forest County 24 Hour Booking
Forest County 24 hour booking records are unique in Pennsylvania because the county does not operate its own jail. The Forest County Sheriff's Office at 526 Elm Street in Tionesta handles all initial bookings, but arrestees are then transferred to a nearby regional detention center. Sheriff William D. Carbaugh Jr. leads the office. With a population of just under 7,000, Forest County is one of the least populated counties in the state. This page explains how the 24 hour booking process works in Forest County and where to find the records you need.
Forest County Quick Facts
Forest County Sheriff Booking Process
The Forest County Sheriff's Office handles all initial 24 hour booking activity in the county. The office is at 526 Elm Street, P.O. Box 9, Tionesta, PA 16353. Call (814) 755-3541 to ask about a booking. The fax number is (814) 755-4404. You can also email the sheriff at bcarbaugh@co.forest.pa.us.
When a person is arrested in Forest County, the sheriff's office begins the booking process right away. Staff document the person's information, record the details of the arrest, take fingerprints, and photograph the individual. This creates the initial 24 hour booking record for Forest County. But here is the key difference: Forest County does not have a jail. After the booking steps are done, the person is transferred to a nearby regional detention center.
This means the booking record starts at the Forest County Sheriff's Office, but the custody record continues at the regional facility. To get the full picture of a 24 hour booking in Forest County, you may need to contact both the sheriff and the regional center.
Forest County Booking Without a Jail
Forest County is one of the few counties in Pennsylvania that operates without an on-site jail. The county was founded on September 1, 1857 and was named for the forests within its borders. With fewer than 7,000 residents, running a full jail is not practical. Instead, the sheriff handles the front end of the booking process and then transfers inmates to a regional facility.
The regional detention center handles all the needs that a county jail normally would. This includes housing, meals, medical care, access to legal resources, visitation, communication with family, and rehabilitation programs. The exact regional facility used by Forest County is not listed on their public website. Call the sheriff at (814) 755-3541 to find out where a person has been sent after their Forest County 24 hour booking.
This setup means that if you are searching for someone booked in Forest County, you have two places to check. The sheriff's office has the arrest and booking record. The regional facility has the custody and housing record. Both are part of the full 24 hour booking file.
Note: Because Forest County transfers all inmates, the Pennsylvania DOC Inmate Locator will not help unless the person was sentenced to a state facility.
Forest County Booking Court Records
After a 24 hour booking in Forest County, the case goes to court. Magisterial district judges handle preliminary arraignments and hearings. The Court of Common Pleas handles criminal trials. The Pennsylvania UJS portal gives you free access to docket sheets for Forest County cases.
Search by name or case number on the UJS Case Search page. You can filter by county. The portal shows charges, hearing dates, judge assigned, and case status. Public docket sheets are open to anyone. Secure sheets need login approval from the Forest County court.
The free PAeDocket app lets you search Forest County cases from your phone. Docket sheets list filings but actual documents must come from the Forest County Clerk of Courts. Recent entries may take time to appear in the system.
Forest County Arrest Record Resources
The PATCH criminal background check from the Pennsylvania State Police includes Forest County records. A check costs $22. Clean results come back fast, usually right away. Cases with a record may take two to four weeks. The helpline is 1-888-783-7972.
Forest County criminal records cover all types of offenses including violent crimes, property crimes, and motor vehicle theft. The county also maintains a sex offender registry that is searchable by address or zip code. These records are tied to the 24 hour booking system because every arrest starts with the booking process in Forest County.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records oversees the Right-to-Know process for all counties, including Forest County. Use this office if you need to appeal a denied records request.
Under the Criminal History Record Information Act, 18 Pa.C.S. Section 9101, Forest County agencies must follow state rules for storing and sharing booking data. Arrests without a conviction within three years may have details removed from public view. Anyone can review and challenge their own Forest County criminal history record.
Forest County Right-to-Know Requests
You can request 24 hour booking records from Forest County under the Right-to-Know Law. Send a written request to the county's open records officer. The Forest County website provides contact details. You can also use the standard RTKL request form from the Office of Open Records.
The agency has five business days to respond. Copies cost up to $0.25 per page. Records sent by email are free. If your request is denied, appeal to the Office of Open Records within 15 business days. The Citizens' Guide walks through the appeal steps.
Since Forest County has no jail, booking records may be split between the sheriff's office and the regional detention center. Make sure your request covers the right agency. You may need to send separate requests to each one for a complete 24 hour booking file from Forest County.
Note: You do not need to explain why you want Forest County booking records when filing a Right-to-Know request.
Forest County Custody Tracking
The VINELink system lets you check custody status for people booked in Forest County. Since inmates are transferred to a regional facility, VINELink can help you track where someone ends up. Sign up for free phone, email, or text alerts. The service runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The PA SAVIN program is the state version of this tool. It covers county jails, state prisons, and parole across Pennsylvania. Registration is private. Call 1-866-972-7284 for help tracking a Forest County booking case.
Nearby Counties
Forest County is in northwestern Pennsylvania. Since the county has no jail, people booked here may be held in a neighboring county's facility. Check nearby counties if you cannot find who you are looking for.