Pennsylvania Arrest Records

Pennsylvania arrest records are documents maintained by law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth. They provide a formal account of an individual's apprehension and detainment by an arresting agency. An individual's arrest record includes information about the alleged offense, the location and date of the arrest, and personal details such as their name, physical description, and date of birth. These documents may be accessible through state and local custodians, including the City of Philadelphia Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

The significance of arrest records extends beyond mere documentation. They play a crucial role in various legal contexts, including criminal investigations, trials, and personal injury investigations.

Pennsylvania arrest records can also affect the individuals they concern. A history of arrests may make it difficult for former arrestees to obtain employment, loans, or even VISAs. However, some individuals may be eligible to have their records cleared through expungement.

Pennsylvania Arrest Statistics

Pennsylvania's Uniform Crime Reporting System states that law enforcement made 92,841 arrests in 2024. This figure shows a 2.1% increase from the 90,928 arrests in 2023. The following tables compare the numbers of different arrest incidents in Pennsylvania for 2024 and 2023.

Pennsylvania 2024 and 2023 Arrests

Adults Arrests

Juvenile Arrests

Are Arrest Records Public in Pennsylvania?

Yes, Pennsylvania arrest records are generally public. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. §§ 67.101 - 67.3104) makes arrest records public in the Commonwealth. This law grants the public the right to access government records, which aligns with the state's commitment to transparency and accountability.

However, the public's right to access Pennsylvania arrest records is not absolute. Specific information is statutorily restricted from public access, including:

• Juvenile Records: Arrest information relating to minors is generally confidential in line with Pennsylvania's Juvenile Act (42 Pa.C.S. § 6307). The Act restricts access to juvenile arrest and court records to specific entities, such as court staff, parole boards, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, and parties to the case proceedings
• Ongoing Investigations: Investigative materials and information may be withheld from the public to safeguard the integrity of ongoing criminal investigations. This policy aims to prevent any compromise of an investigation or the rights of the individuals involved, especially victims, informants, and witnesses
• Expunged Records: Arrest records that have been expunged or sealed are not accessible to the public
• Records Restricted By Law: Records restricted by federal or state law are considered closed to the public. Court rules also specify information and documents that the public cannot access.

Other exceptions are enumerated in 65 P.S. § 67.708.

Find Public Arrest Records in Pennsylvania

Members of the public seeking to look up arrest records in Pennsylvania may find them by following these steps:

Determining the Source

Local police departments, county sheriff's offices, and courts are familiar sources of arrest records. Knowing the location of the arrest can point the searcher to the specific police department, sheriff's office, or court holding the record.

Understanding Request Methods

Law enforcement agencies have different record request processes. They may require inquirers to submit their requests in person, by mail, or online. In some cases, telephone requests are allowed. Usually, interested individuals can contact the record's custodian to inquire about their request policy. They can also visit an agency's website to find pertinent information.

Required Information

Individuals seeking arrest records also need specific information to search and submit their requests. This information can include the full name and any known aliases of the arrestee, the date and place of arrest (if known), and the case or file number (if available).

Fee Payment

Record seekers must be prepared to pay a nominal fee for copies, which can vary depending on the agency and the number of records requested. Individuals are required to pay for certification and cover the cost of mail orders to receive the documents by mail.

Inquirers should also verify the accepted payment method with the agency.

Obtaining Restricted Records

Persons seeking restricted records, such as investigative materials or sealed information, may approach a court to obtain a subpoena or court order.

Obtaining a subpoena in Pennsylvania can be complex. One must be a party to a case involving the police department before they can get a subpoena for a police report. If they are not a party to the case, they may file a civil lawsuit against the arrestee or the police department and then request the subpoena as part of that legal action.

How to Look up Arrest Records Online in Pennsylvania

Law enforcement agencies offer internet portals that allow individuals to view arrest information online. Many of these resources are inmate search databases that do not provide official or in-depth arrest records. Individuals may be restricted to viewing basic arrest details, such as the name and description of the arrestee, charges, and incarceration status.

People seeking arrest information on individuals who were not charged or convicted may have to contact the police department that made the arrest. That is because details of such arrests may have been expunged or do not exist online.

The following are some online resources that show arrest details:

Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH): Eligible persons may send requests through ePATCH, an online application provided by the Pennsylvania State Police. The system dispenses criminal records that include arrest records of mostly convicted individuals.

County Websites: Most county law enforcement offices provide websites where the public can search for inmates housed in county jails. These websites typically include the inmate's incarceration status, personal information, and charges.

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania's Internet Portal: The Pennsylvania judiciary's Case Search tool allows members of the public to search, view, and print criminal court case dockets. The database shows arrest details of individuals, such as the arresting agency, arrest date, charges, case disposition, and sentencing information (if found guilty). Individuals can search for cases using different search queries, including the arrestee's name (defendant's name), attorney details, citation number, date filed, docket number, incident number, and calendar event.

Third-Party Resources: Some third-party sites, which are not connected to public bodies in Pennsylvania, offer online arrest record search resources for a fee.

What is Included in Pennsylvania Arrest Records?

A typical Pennsylvania arrest record comprises several pieces of information, such as:

• An Arrestee's Details:
  • Full name, including any aliases
  • Date of birth
  • Physical description (race, height, weight, eye and hair colours, and identifying marks)
• Arrest Details:
  • Date and arrest location
  • Arresting agency and officer's name
  • Reason for the arrest, including specific charges
  • The case number associated with the arrest
• Mugshot and Fingerprints:
  • Photograph taken at the time of arrest
  • Set of fingerprints
• Charges Filed:
  • Detailed list of charges, including any statutory references
  • Charge classification (misdemeanour, felony, etc.)
• Bail/Bond Information:
  • The amount set for bail or bond, if applicable
  • Details of any bail paid.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania arrest records may be permanent, depending on the offense and whether an individual was convicted or sentenced. However, individuals whose cases were dismissed, never taken to court, disposed of as not guilty, or who meet other Commonwealth criteria can have their arrest records expunged (deleted).

Expunge an Arrest Record in Pennsylvania

Expungement is the process of erasing an individual's criminal and arrest records. The expungement process in Pennsylvania is governed by the Criminal History Record Information Act, which allows for the expungement of records under specific conditions, such as acquittal, completion of a diversion program, or after a certain period for minor offenses.

The following individuals can expunge their records in Pennsylvania:

Pardoned offenders: The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts will automatically delete records of pardon recipients upon receiving a notice from the Board of Pardons.

Individuals aged 70 and above: Once an individual reaches the age of 70, they can apply to have their records expunged as long as they have not been arrested or prosecuted for 10 years since they completed their last sentence.

Deceased individuals: The Commonwealth can posthumously expunge the records of persons dead for over three years.

Individuals with summary offenses: People convicted of summary offenses can have their records expunged after five arrests and crime-free years. Summary offenses include public drunkenness, underage drinking, disorderly conduct, and possession of a fake ID.

Individuals with non-convictions: An arrest record can be expunged if an individual's charges were dismissed or withdrawn, or a prosecutor entered a "nolle prosequi" (a decision not to prosecute).

Clean Slate Law: The Clean Slate bill (Act 56 of 2018, Act 36 of 2023) allows the state to automatically seal non-violent, minor cases after a specific period, so long as there is no misdemeanor or felony conviction on the individual's record.

People who have completed diversion programs: Individuals who have completed the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) or are eligible for Probation Without Verdict (PWV) under the Controlled Substances Act can apply to expunge their records. In some cases, records may be expunged automatically after completing the program.

After confirming eligibility, petitioners can follow these steps:

• Complete the required form: Individuals must fill out and print Form SP 4-170. This form is essential for requesting one's criminal history record, which is needed to file for expungement
• Mail the form: The completed form should be mailed to the Central Repository at the address provided on the form. Along with the form, the individual must include:
  • The processing fee. A $20 certified money order or check to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  • A copy of a government photo ID to verify the subject's identity
  • A legal affidavit or a letter of representation if someone other than the subject is making the request
• Receive the arrest record: The Central Repository will mail the entire arrest record to the individual. This record is necessary for the next steps in the expungement process
• Contact the Clerk of Court: In the county where the arrest occurred, the applicant must contact the Clerk of Court. The Clerk of Court will provide further instructions on petitioning the court for expungement. The court process typically involves filling out a form and submitting it to the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the case was handled.

It is important to note that expunging and sealing a record are two different things. Sealed records are restricted from public access but are not deleted from the state's system. People who qualify under the Clean Slate bill can only seal their records using the Petition for Limited Access form.

The following entities can still access sealed records in Pennsylvania:

• Criminal justice agencies, including police departments, district attorneys, and courts
• Potential employers who petition the FBI for background checks
• Licensing agencies.

How Do I Find Recent Arrests in Pennsylvania?

Interested individuals can find and obtain recent arrests in Pennsylvania by contacting the appropriate arresting agency. Finding this type of record involves knowing where an arrest happened and tracking down the correct department. For example, if a person has been recently arrested, their loved ones or interested persons can head to the closest precinct within the jurisdiction where the individual was apprehended.

Are Pennsylvania Arrest Records Free?

Searching arrest details on county web portals or the Pennsylvania judiciary's case search database is free. However, obtaining copies of arrest records will attract a fee. Individuals who engage third-party vendors will also pay the applicable fee to obtain arrest records. However, some vendors will provide limited information for free, and only persons interested in extensive details will need to pay a fee to access it. Ultimately, the most convenient free arrest record options in Pennsylvania are the arrest logs and rosters compiled and published by local law enforcement agencies.