Where to Find and Research Pennsylvania Arrest Records

Looking into Pennsylvania arrest records is important for running a thorough criminal history record check. People search criminal arrest records in order to avoid fraud from potential business partners, coworkers, or possible relationship partners. Public information on anyone in Pennsylvania is available if you simply look for it.

Recent rule changes make Pennsylvania arrest records more public than they were before. The presumption of the law is that records are public unless it can be proven they should not be—not that those seeking information must prove why it should be released to them. If the Pennsylvania government chooses to withhold an arrest record, they must prove why it should be unavailable to the public.

Information in Arrest Records

Records on Pennsylvania arrests can contain any or all of the following information, depending on individual history:

•    Legal names and known aliases
•    Known addresses
•    Sex offender information
•    Criminal convictions
•    Arrests
•    Probation information

Using the Public E-Services tab of the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System website (http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/default.aspx) will lead you to a calendar schedule search where you can look for specific cases by attorney name, participant name, or by docket number. Pennsylvania criminal records which are available through this search also detail the past records of the defendants, which can be very revealing.

Searching Pennsylvania public records can help you locate a lost relative or loved one, or find complete family history reports on a potential renter or business partner. Pennsylvania civil court records show you information about small claims court, district court lawsuits, and insurance claims lawsuits. Before you develop a business relationship with anyone, check the Pennsylvania civil court records.

Right to Know Laws in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has established a Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition which serves as a portal for the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. The Right to Know laws and Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Act dictate that certain records must be public and readily accessible. The Pennsylvania government is dedicated to the free exchange of information with the public, which will foster accountability and prevent abuses of power by the government. The Right to Know Law has been newly rewritten in 2009, and Pennsylvania state records are becoming available as soon as possible.

Searching PA Public Records

A free Pennsylvania public records search may be conducted at  http://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Pennsylvania.htm. This site is non-commercial and sponsored by the state of Pennsylvania. Information on a recent PA arrest may be found here.

The address for the Pennsylvania inmate locator is http://www.cor.state.pa.us/inmatelocatorweb/. Enter the inmate’s last name and inmate number to find the current location and other public information about Pennsylvania jail inmates.

The official website of the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts is http://www.pacourts.us/T/AOPC/. Here you will find information about judicial education and resources, along with statistics on the Pennsylvania court system.

Fees to access Pennsylvania arrest records vary. Photocopies will cost up to twenty-five cents per page. Certifying a public record may cost up to $5. Actual costs are assessed for postage, recreating blueprints and microfiche, and for specialized documents. Many records are being maintained electronically, making them much easier to access.