Lebanon County Arrest Records

Law enforcement agencies in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, arrest individuals under various circumstances, such as:

• When they have a valid arrest warrant, in accordance with Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 513 (Pa.R.Crim.P. 513)
• When they witness a crime being committed
• If there is proof of their indirect involvement in criminal activity

After an arrest, Lebanon County law enforcement agencies generate arrest records as official documents documenting each instance of an individual's arrest and detention. These records provide critical information about the arrestee, including personal details, the location and date of the arrest, the alleged offense, and any formal charges filed. These documents are typically created during the booking process following an arrest for criminal activity.

Arrest records are usually created and maintained by the agency responsible for the arrest. However, arrest-related information is also incorporated into other aspects of the criminal justice system, such as Lebanon County court records, which the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas maintains.

Are Arrest Records Public in Lebanon County?

Lebanon County arrest records are considered public documents under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This statute allows the public to access many government records related to arrests. Individuals interested in obtaining these records may submit requests to the Lebanon County Sheriff’s Office or relevant local police departments.

However, some arrest records are restricted from public access. This includes:

• Records related to ongoing investigations
• Documents containing sensitive personal information (such as Social Security numbers),
• Details that could compromise witness security
• Juvenile arrest records per 42 Pa.C.S. § 6307
• Sealed/expunged records.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Publicly available arrest records in Lebanon County generally include the following:

• Personal details of the arrestee (name, date of birth, aliases, age, etc.)
• Physical description (height, race, hair/eye color, identifying marks)
• Arrest date, time, and location
• Charges filed
• Name of the arresting agency and officer
• Booking information (fingerprints, mugshots, booking number)
• Bail or bond amount (if applicable)
• Witness statements (if applicable)

Find Lebanon County Arrest Records

To obtain Lebanon County arrest records, interested members of the public may contact the Lebanon County Sheriff's Office at:

Lebanon County Sheriff's Office
Municipal Building
Room 3
400 South 8th Street
Lebanon, PA 17042-6794
Phone: (717) 228-4410
Fax: (717) 279-8398

Alternatively, those seeking arrest records can submit Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) requests to local police departments within Lebanon County or other municipal police departments, such as the North Cornwall Township Police Department or the North Lebanon Township Police Department, depending on where the arrest occurred.

For arrest records related to individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), interested persons can use the Online Detainee Locator System or contact a local ICE field office. Similarly, for federal arrests, individuals can use the Federal Inmate Locator to search for detained individuals.

Free Arrest Record Search in Lebanon County

The Lebanon County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments in the county generally allow interested parties to search arrest records free of charge. However, fees might apply for copying, duplicating, or certifying physical or electronic copies of these records.

Additionally, some third-party websites provide access to Lebanon County arrest records. These aggregate websites offer searchable databases of arrest records from multiple jurisdictions, including Lebanon County. While they may offer some basic information for free, these sites are not official sources, and their data may be incomplete or inaccurate compared to official records provided by the Sheriff's Office or police departments.

Get Lebanon County Criminal Records

Lebanon County criminal records encompass information about an individual’s criminal history, including arrests, charges, case outcomes, and sentencing. These records are managed by local law enforcement, but extensive criminal record information is typically accessible through state law enforcement.

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) maintains a central repository of criminal data through its Bureau of Records and Identification. To request a criminal history record check online, interested persons may utilize the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. On the PATCH website, users can select either an individual or company request, fill out the necessary details, and submit their application. Requests through PATCH cost $22, with an additional $5 fee if notarization is required.

For mail-in requests, individuals or their legal representatives should complete Form SP 4-170 and mail it to the PSP for processing. The cost of a mail-in request is $20. Employers or other third parties will require a Form SP 4-164 alongside. Mail-in requests may be addressed to:

Pennsylvania State Police
Central Repository – 164
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
Phone: (888) 783-7972

Lebanon County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records are documents created when an individual is apprehended by law enforcement for suspected criminal activity. These records include details such as the date, location, charges, and personal information of the arrested individual, as well as mugshots and booking information.

On the other hand, criminal records provide a broader view of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, including arrests, prosecutions, court decisions, and sentencing. While the Lebanon County Sheriff's Office may maintain records of local arrests, the PSP remains the primary repository for criminal history records throughout Pennsylvania. Criminal records cover the entirety of a person’s legal history, from arrests to trial outcomes and post-conviction details, both within and beyond Lebanon County.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Pennsylvania, including Lebanon County, arrest records remain on file indefinitely unless they are expunged or sealed. The state does not impose a specific time limit for how long an arrest record can be kept. Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, arrest records remain part of the public record unless legal action is taken to remove them.

Expunge Lebanon County Arrest Records

Expungement or sealing may be granted if the charges were dismissed, the individual was acquitted, or the record satisfies the state’s eligibility requirements. Additionally, certain offenses may be eligible for expungement if a person has maintained a clean record over a designated period of time.

Expungement legally erases or deletes the records, making it appear as though the arrest never occurred. Sealing the records, on the other hand, removes them from public view while allowing access to law enforcement and certain governmental agencies. These processes are governed by the Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA).

To be eligible to request the expungement of Lebanon County arrest records, petitioners must:

• Receive a pardon
• Be age 70 or older
• Have minor alcohol-related offenses
• Be participants in diversion programs

Applicants who satisfy the state’s expungement eligibility requirements may petition for expungement by following these steps:

• Request your records: Fill out Form SP4-170 to obtain a copy of your arrest records from the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).
• Submit the form: Mail the completed form to the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository with a $20 processing fee and a copy of a government-issued photo ID.
• File a petition: After receiving the arrest records from the PSP, file a petition with the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas to request expungement. The court clerk can provide instructions and guidance on how to file the petition.
• Court approval: If the court grants the petition, the expungement order will be sent to the PSP and relevant law enforcement agencies to delete the expunged records from their databases.

Lebanon County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants in Lebanon County are legal documents authorizing law enforcement to detain individuals for alleged criminal offenses. A warrant is issued when probable cause exists to believe a person has committed a crime. A judge or magistrate typically grants warrants after reviewing the evidence and determining sufficient cause, per Pennsylvania Code Title 234, Chapter 5, Part B(3), Sections 513-518.

According to Rule 515, Lebanon County arrest warrants can be executed anywhere within Pennsylvania and remain valid until the subject is either arrested or surrenders. Arrest warrants generally contain the following information:

• The name of the person to be arrested
• The criminal offense they are alleged to have committed
• The date of issuance
• The court and judge issuing the warrant
• The order to detain the individual

Lebanon County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals can inquire about outstanding arrest warrants by contacting the Lebanon County Sheriff's Office or other local law enforcement agencies.

Additionally, Lebanon County Sheriff’s Office publishes a "Most Wanted" list, where residents can see if someone is actively sought by law enforcement. This list often includes individuals with outstanding arrest warrants for serious offenses such as violent or major property crimes.

Do Lebanon County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants in Lebanon County do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until the individual is either arrested, voluntarily surrenders, passes away, or the warrant is recalled by the court. While an arrest warrant does not expire, the criminal offense may be subject to the statute of limitations, which can affect how long the offense can be legally pursued.