An online tool can help family members find someone who was arrested in Pennsylvania. The Inmate Locator, overseen by the Department of Corrections (DOC), is a database that allows you to see an inmate’s location, inmate number, and other information.
If your loved one is currently in jail and needs a criminal defense attorney, the McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., can help. We offer criminal defense to people who have been arrested or charged with crimes in Montgomery County. Call us for a free consultation.
How Do I Search for Someone on the Database?
To look someone up, you need specific information about them, such as their:
- Name;
- Date of birth; or
- Inmate identification number.
You will be able to view a variety of identifying information, including their race, gender, and height, to help you locate your loved one. The Inmate Locator also provides their current location, as well as their permanent location if applicable.
Can I View an Arrest Mugshot?
The police must take a mugshot or photo of everyone they arrest. If your loved one is in jail at a local correctional facility, you might be able to view their mugshot online or in person at the jail. To see a mugshot online, you need the inmate’s name and the date of their arrest.
Mugshots are public records, which means you should receive access to them.
How Do I Contact an Inmate?
It is difficult and anxiety-provoking for a family member to find out their loved one has been incarcerated. In addition, being in jail is a difficult and lonely experience. For this reason, the DOC encourages family members to use the Inmate Locator to find and then contact a loved one in jail. If you are unable to visit your loved one in person, there are other ways to stay in contact.
Phone Calls to Inmates
Pennsylvania inmates can make outgoing calls but cannot receive phone calls. If you want to contact an inmate by phone, you will need to contact the correctional facility to determine how administrators handle this process. You might have to set up an account with a phone service or follow other procedural rules.
The jail will monitor and might record these calls. There are fees involved for every call, so read the information carefully when you set up an account.
In most cases, you cannot leave a message for an inmate. If there is an urgent message or death in the family, you should contact the unit manager or other designated contact person for emergency messages. This contact person will relay the message to your family member.
Sending Mail to Inmates
Inmates can send and receive mail. For many people, this is a way to stay in touch with loved ones and the outside world. There are strict rules in place for sending and receiving mail in jail. Inmates cannot send or receive mail from victims, other inmates, or current or previous jail employees or volunteers.
While specific rules always apply, you can send a variety of materials in the mail, including:
- Photos;
- Cards; and
- Reading materials.
You might also be able to send email messages for a fee. Your family member would receive a paper copy of your email in the regular mail. Inmates do not usually have internet access, so you would likely receive a response in writing. Remember that mailroom employees will inspect or read all items you send an inmate.
Sending Money or Gifts to Inmates
You might be able to deposit money in a Pennsylvania inmate’s account or order them gifts using the jail’s commissary. Your loved one can use any money you provide to buy snacks or other items.
Does My Family Member Need a Lawyer?
A criminal conviction is serious and can lead to stiff penalties, including incarceration. It can destroy someone’s reputation, career, and finances. Having a criminal record can prevent someone from obtaining a good job, attending certain schools or universities, or joining the military. Depending on the situation, an offender may lose driving privileges or have to register as a sex offender.
What a Criminal Defense Lawyer from Our Team Can Do for You
Whether your loved one was arrested for a traffic offense such as driving under the influence (DUI) or for a drug crime such as possession, the criminal defense team at McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. is here to protect their rights.
When you hire a criminal defense attorney from our firm, we can do the following for you and your loved one who has been incarcerated:
- Represent your family member’s best interests
- Fight to protect their rights and prevent some of the severe consequences of a conviction
- Negotiate for a lesser charge by having evidence thrown out of a case
- Convince a judge to dismiss the charges
- Build a solid defense in their case
If your family member’s case goes to court, your attorney can represent them throughout their criminal trial.
Our Criminal Defense Attorneys are Accessible to Our Clients
When you choose to have a criminal defense attorney from our firm represent your family member against the charges they face, you or your loved one will always be able to connect with our team.
Whether through email, text, phone, or social media, your attorney is here to respond to all of your questions and concerns during this difficult time. We understand having a loved one in jail can be stressful and costly. This is why we take the charges very seriously and are committed to obtaining the best possible outcome for your family member.
What Our Clients Say About Us
We have successfully defended countless clients and are proud of our proven track record. Check out some of our testimonials from past clients:
- “David is the man! He shares upfront the good and worse outcomes possible depending on your situation. He goes above and beyond to get the best results for his clients. He understands the legality of case law. He turned a bad situation around into outstanding results. If you need a lawyer he is the one, and his price is reasonable and worth every penny you spend.” – P Thomas
- “Excellence in EVERY sense of the word! From the initial Consultation to the Hearings and Conclusion of the case, David McKenzie kept me extremely informed, aware of all possible outcomes and plays, and ultimately resolved my case with the best possible outcome, in my favor! Hands down, he is the absolute BEST! If you are in need of a Criminal Attorney and your freedom in any way has been threatened, look no further!” – Teresa Gibbs
If your loved one was arrested in Pennsylvania, our criminal defense attorney can look into the details of their case, determine if their rights have been violated, and build a solid defense on their behalf.
How Can I Get Help from a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
David C. McKenzie III of the McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., is a criminal defense lawyer in Montgomery County who understands the Pennsylvania criminal justice system. Anyone the police have arrested and charged with a crime has the right to legal representation.
We will look at all the facts in your loved one’s case to determine the best avenue for defense. If your family member is facing criminal charges, call us today for a free case evaluation.
