Time to get results of fingerprints

What is the name of your state? PA A neighbor was arrested for retail theft of $23.00 from a grocery store. He was arrested, fingerprints taken. That was Feb 28. Magistrate's office (district justice) still has no record of the arrest but it was in the newspapers. Guy can't pay fine until fingerprints come back from the state or wherever the cops had to send them. Magistrate can't set fine until cops get fingerprints back. How long is an average time to check for past offences. The guy says it's the 1st time he was arrested. Cop checked for warrants at time of arrest but there was none and guy was let go with a notice saying he has 10 days to pay fine but can't pay until fingerprints are back and fine is set. It's obviously past 10 days, more like 1 1/2 months and still no word from the cops/court. Any idea how long it should take to get fingerprints back? Thanks for the answer.

It will take a few months for the police to get a response back. The system is piss poor and outdated, as is much of the law enforcement technology and procedure in Pennsylvania.

When the police advised your neighbor that he had ten days to pay the fine, that's not exactly accurate. Had your neighbor actually been charged, he would have 10 days from the receipt of the citation for Retail Theft (a first offense worth $23 would be prosecuted on a Non-Traffic Citation) to enter a plea. Even if he were to plead guilty, he would not necessarily have to pay the fine within 10 days, as many courts will accept time payments.

Since your neighbor has not yet received the citation, the 10 day time period has not begun to toll as of yet. When the police confirm that it is in fact his first offense, they will file the citation with the local District Court, who will send it to your neighbor by certified mail.