Monroe County Arrest Records

Monroe County arrest records are official reports generated and maintained by local law enforcement agencies that contain pertinent information about instances where individuals were arrested within the county’s jurisdiction. According to the Pennsylvania State Police CAID Glossary, an arrest entails a law enforcement agency taking an individual into custody due to charges filed against said individual or with the intent to file charges.

In Monroe County, making arrests is one of the primary responsibilities of law enforcement officers. An officer has the legal authority to arrest an individual if there is an active warrant for their arrest. A peace officer may also make an arrest if they have probable cause to believe that an individual has committed an arrestable offense.

Generally, after an arrest, the arresting officer would take the arrestee to their police station or local jail for booking. During the booking process, the arrestee will have their fingerprints and mugshot taken, and their personal information, like name, date of birth, height, weight, and more, will also be noted. Subsequently, the arresting officer would prepare an official report documenting pertinent information about the arrest and the arrestee. This report is commonly known as an arrest record.

An arrest often signifies the beginning of a criminal proceeding. As a result, the contents of arrest records are usually featured in Monroe County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Monroe County?

Yes. Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) permits public access to different government records, including arrest records. Hence, interested persons can query local law enforcement agencies in Monroe County to request arrest records. However, there are certain exemptions to the RTKL. For instance, privileged information, such as victim details and juvenile records is not public.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Some information that can be found in public Monroe County arrest records include, but are not limited to:

• The arrestee’s personal information: such as their full name, known aliases, date of birth, sex, and address).
• Booking information: These include the arrestee’s fingerprints, mugshot, and physical description (including height, weight, eye color, and distinctive features)
• The arrest’s details: this includes any charges filed, information about the arresting agency, and the date and place of the arrest.
• The offense classification (i.e. if it was an infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony)

Monroe County Crime Rate

Crime statistics from the Pennsylvania UCR Program reveal that 3,759 offenses were committed in Monroe County in 2023, with simple assaults (1,454) and larceny-theft (1,819) accounting for most of the total. Other prominent offenses reported that year include aggravated assaults (155) and burglary (173). Overall, Monroe County experienced a 13.7% increase in reported offenses in 2023, as Pennsylvania UCR Program crime statistics indicated that the county had an offense count of 3,276 in 2022.

Monroe County Arrest Statistics

According to the Pennsylvania UCR Program crime statistics, 1,832 and 1,607 arrests were made in Monroe County in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Juvenile arrests accounted for 160 arrests and adult arrests accounted for 1,672 arrests in 2023. Meanwhile, 1,462 adult arrests and 143 juvenile arrests made up Monroe County arrest statistics in 2022.

These figures signify that the county had a 14% increase in arrests in 2023. That year, larceny theft (776) and simple assaults (850) were among the leading causes of arrests.

Find Monroe County Arrest Records

Whenever an arrest is conducted in Monroe County, the arresting agency typically prepares and maintains an arrest record documenting the incident. These arresting agencies include local law enforcement agencies, like Monroe County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. Hence, interested persons can find Monroe County arrest records by querying local law enforcement agencies.

Ideally, the place to begin searches for Monroe County arrest records is at the municipal level through the local police department serving the municipality where the arrest occurred. For instance, record seekers can query the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department to obtain information about arrests in Barrett Township, Tobyhanna, Mount Pocono Borough, Coolbaugh, and Tunkhannock. At the county level, the record seeker can go through Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

Generally, a record seeker can contact or visit an agency’s physical address to inquire about their procedures for requesting public arrest records. The County Sheriff's Office and most municipal police departments provide their contact information on their official websites. Interested persons can contact Monroe County Sheriff's Office at:

610 Monroe Street,
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Phone: (570) 517-3312

Federal and state law enforcement agencies may also make an arrest in Monroe County in certain situations. In such cases, the arrestee is usually held in state or federal custody by the arresting agency. Furthermore, the arresting agency is typically responsible for generating information about the arrest. Hence, record seekers must query the arresting agency to find information about the arrest.

Fortunately, most agencies provide online resources that can be used to find information about individuals in their custody. For instance, interested persons use the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate and Parolee Locator to find information about individuals arrested and detained in state custody. Some federal law enforcement agencies also provide online search portals that record seekers can use to find information about arrestees in their custody. Some examples are the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Federal Inmate Locator and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Online Detainee Locator System.

Free Arrest Record Search in Monroe County

One way interested persons may find arrest records in Monroe County for free is by reviewing arrest records in person at local law enforcement agencies. Record seekers are usually not charged a fee for reviewing arrest records in person at local law enforcement agencies. However, requests for physical copies of an arrest record are subject to certain fees.

Most local law enforcement agencies in Monroe County do not provide online resources individuals can use to find arrest records they generate. However, certain third-party websites offer online access to public Monroe County arrest records. Generally, operators of these third-party websites request and obtain public records, including arrest records, from relevant government channels and publish them on their websites. Record seekers can search for records using a subject’s name on these third-party websites. Note that although some third-party websites may provide basic arrest information for free, users are usually required to pay a fee or subscription to access more detailed arrest information.

Get Monroe County Criminal Records

Monroe County Criminal records are official reports concerning an individual’s interactions with local criminal justice agencies, such as courts and local law enforcement agencies. Generally, an individual’s criminal history, including arrests and convictions, is detailed in their criminal records. Unfortunately, there are currently no government-provided avenues for getting complete criminal records at the county level in Monroe County. However, statewide criminal records are obtainable through the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).

The PSP serves as Pennsylvania’s central repository for criminal records. Interested persons can request criminal records from the PSP online or by mail. Online requests can be made through the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) website. Note that there is a $22 non-refundable fee for each request made through the PATCH (an additional fee may be applicable).

On the other hand, record seekers can complete and submit relevant request forms provided by the PSP for by-mail requests. These request forms include form SP 4-164 (request for criminal history check), form SP 4-164A (volunteer request for criminal history check), and form SP 4-170 (individual access and review). Note that by-mail requests are usually subject to certain fees and requesters may need to provide a copy of a government-issued photo ID. Information about relevant fees and other items required for a criminal history check is provided on each request form. By mail request should be sent to the PSP at:

Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository (RCPU)
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758

Interested persons can also obtain nationwide criminal records through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Monroe County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Monroe County arrest records are official reports generated by local law enforcement agencies that contain information about instances where an individual was arrested in the county. These records provide specific details about arrests, such as the arrestee’s name, alleged offense, arrest date, location, and time.

On the other hand, criminal records are comprehensive official reports generated by different criminal justice agencies, such as local law enforcement agencies and courts, that provide a complete overview of an individual’s criminal history. Generally, criminal records are made of different documents and reports, including arrest and conviction records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

The Pennsylvania Codes and other relevant laws do not specify how long an arrest record must be maintained. Instead, relevant agencies have unique retention schedules that determine how long they maintain arrest records. For instance, according to the Records Manual For Pennsylvania County Governments, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office can maintain arrest records for five (5) years after the final disposition of related cases.

Expunge Monroe County Arrest Records

Criminal record expungement is a legal process that allows interested persons to request the removal of an arrest or criminal conviction data from their criminal record. Only certain arrest records qualify for expungement in Monroe County. Furthermore, the subject of an arrest must meet certain requirements to be eligible for expungement. These include and are not limited to:

• If an individual was arrested but was not convicted per 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 9122, provided:
  • The presiding court did not close the case within 18 months of the arrest.
  • The subject of the record has no pending criminal proceedings
• If the arrest was for the purchase, consumption, or possession of alcohol. Provided the arrestee was 18 years or older, have satisfied the terms of their sentence, and are now 21 years or older.
• Arrests record of offenses that were resolved through accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD), provided the offense was not related to sex crimes against minors.
• If the arrest was for committing a summary offense. Provided that five (5) years have passed since the criminal proceedings or the subject of the record is at least 70 years old. Summary offenses are low-level offenses punishable by a fine or a 90-day jail sentence.
• If the subject of the record has completed the Section 17 diversionary program due to their offense.
• If an individual was arrested for a nonviolent misdemeanor offense per Act 5 of 2016. The act also permits the automatic sealing of certain records. These include:
  • Arrest that did not lead to a conviction
  • Charges where the defendant was not found guilty
  • Convictions for nonviolent crimes that are at least 10 years old
  • Misdemeanor offenses punishable by a maximum of two (2) years in prison.

The general process involved in requesting expungement of an arrest record in Monroe County can be summed up in the following steps:

Step 1: Eligible individuals must request their complete criminal record from the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). To accomplish this, complete Form SP 4-170. The completed Form SP 4-170 must be mailed to the PSP along with other required items including:

• A certified check or money order for $20 payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• A copy of the requester’s government-issued photo ID If applicable
• A legal affidavit or letter of representation (if applicable).

Step 2: After receiving their complete criminal record, petitioners (i.e. the subject of the record to be expunged) can prepare a Petition for Expungement. Depending on the type of offense, petitioners can utilize relevant Petition for Expungement (Samples) forms provided by the Monroe County Court of Common Plea. Alternatively, a written petition can be drafted. The petition should highlight applicable laws that warrant the expungement of relevant arrest records. It is advisable to consult with a licensed attorney for assistance in drafting or completing an expungement petition.

Step 3: Submit the expungement petition to the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas along with the petitioner’s complete criminal record. Note that the petition may be subject to certain fees. It is also worth noting the Monroe County District Attorney's Office may review the petition. Petitioners can contact the contact Monroe County Court of Common Pleas to submit or make inquiries about applicable fees at:

610 Monroe Street
Stroudsburg PA, 18360
Phone: (570) 517-3009
Fax: (570) 517-3866

Step 4: The court may issue an expungement order if the County District Attorney's Office does not oppose the petition.

Monroe County Arrest Warrants

A Monroe County arrest warrant is a formal order issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement agencies to arrest and detain an individual. A judge can issue an arrest warrant at the request of a law enforcement agency if they provide sufficient evidence supported by a probable cause affidavit that necessitates the arrest warrant’s issuance. For instance, a judge may issue an arrest warrant if there is sufficient probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a crime. Once issued, Monroe County arrest warrants are executable anywhere within Monroe County and Pennsylvania. The typical contents of a Monroe County arrest warrant include the following:

• The defendant’s name or a detailed description
• The alleged crime the defendant committed and a description of the probable cause established that necessitated the warrant issuance.
• The signature of the issuing judge.
• The warrant issuance date and time
• The name of the city or county where the warrant originated.

Monroe County Arrest Warrant Search

Interested persons can find Monroe County arrest warrants by querying local law enforcement agencies, such as the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and municipal police departments. These agencies are usually responsible for executing arrest warrants in the county and can provide interested persons with public information about active warrants.

Some local law enforcement agencies offer online resources containing public information about relevant arrest warrants. A good example is the Monroe Sheriff Warrant Search portal that record seekers can use to find active bench warrants. In-person queries for arrest warrants can also be made at the local law enforcement agencies. However, in-person inquirers risk arrest if an arrest warrant against them is found.

Interested persons can also review court records of local cases to discover whether an arrest warrant was issued in court cases. Record seekers can find Monroe County court records by visiting local courthouses to make in-person inquiries for court records. The Pennsylvania Judiciary also provides a web portal record seekers can use to search for information about court cases in Pennsylvania and Monroe County.

Do Monroe County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Monroe County arrest warrants are valid until the warrant’s subject is taken into custody by the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Nonetheless, the issuing court has the authority to revoke it in some circumstances.