(L-R) District Attorney Scott Andreassi, District Magisterial Judge James Owen and County Detective “Butch” Roofner review fingerprints taken yesterday morning via a new fingerprinting unit in Judge Owen’s courtroom in Kittanning
by Jonathan Weaver
Money forfeited by criminal defendants has gone toward a new fingerprinting option in Kittanning.
Yesterday, Magisterial District Judge James Owen was the first to be fingerprinted with a unit added in his courtroom along North Jefferson Street.
The $100 unit implemented yesterday was purchased using forfeiture funds – thus, not by taxpayer dollars.
County Detective “Butch” Roofner said other district judges have recently received upgrades.
“It’s not something that just came about – we worked on it for at least a year now to get fingerprint machines in different areas,” Detective Roofner said.
Last year, County District Attorney Scott Andreassi authorized the use of similar funds to purchase a fingerprinting machine for District Magisterial Judge Gary DeComo’s office in Ford City. At the time, Judge DeComo said he never had a fingerprinting system at his Ford City office before, but the judge said he recognized the convenience for local police officers – some of whom may be part-time.
“Our goal is to get a fingerprint system in every magistrate’s office so that it’s easier for the police officers to process defendants (and) get their fingerprints done as quckly as possible,” Andreassi said yesterday. “Fingerprints are what drive the information system at the state level.
“(Armstrong County) can charge you, we can process your case, but if your prints are not on file, you do not officially enter the system.”
District Magisterial Judge James Andring in Leechburg also received a new ink cartridge and pad.
A new unit “will also be waiting for” the next district magisterial judge in Rural Valley when funds are available, Detective Roofner said.
Judge Owen explained the sixth condition of any bail is to comply with a fingerprint order.
“The way the statute reads is, if you’ve been charged with a criminal offense, you have to be fingerprinted,” Judge Owen said. “Even if the charges are dropped.”’
Officials have also discussed purchasing a central booking system for at the Armstrong County Jail in Rayburn Township. Police departments also have access to machines housed by the county Probation Department and at the Pennsylvania State Police barracks in East Franklin Township.
