>Adams County Arrest Records Online

Adams County, Pennsylvania Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Adams County, Pennsylvania?

Arrest records are public documents in Adams County, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible for public inspection and duplication unless otherwise exempted by law, court order, or regulation. The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to public records maintained by state and local agencies.

The Clerk of Courts Office maintains criminal court records in Adams County and makes these records available to the public in accordance with state law. Members of the public seeking arrest information may access these records during regular business hours or through designated online portals. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records to protect privacy interests as specified under § 67.708 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Adams County?

Adams County arrest records are accessible through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's web portal provides a centralized database where members of the public may search for criminal case information, including arrest data, for cases processed through the Adams County Court of Common Pleas.

The online availability of arrest records is subject to the following provisions:

Records are typically updated within 24-48 hours of processing
Case information is searchable by name, date of birth, or docket number
Certain records may be subject to restricted access pursuant to court order
Historical records may have limited availability in digital format

The Adams County Sheriff's Office also maintains an online database of active warrants and recent arrests through their official website. This resource is updated regularly and provides basic information regarding individuals with outstanding warrants in the county jurisdiction.

How to Look Up Adams County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Adams County as of 2025. Interested parties may utilize any of the following procedures to access arrest information:

Online Database Searches:

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal provides searchable access to criminal case records, including arrest information
The Adams County Sheriff's Office warrant database contains information on active warrants and recent arrests
The Adams County Clerk of Courts e-filing system allows for remote access to certain court records

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the following offices to request arrest records in person:

Adams County Clerk of Courts
Adams County Courthouse
111 Baltimore Street, Room 104
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: (717) 337-9806
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Adams County Sheriff's Office
Adams County Courthouse
111 Baltimore Street, Room 113
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: (717) 337-9828
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Written Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to either the Clerk of Courts or Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above. Requests must include:

Full name of the subject
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest (if known)
Case number (if known)
Requestor's contact information
Required fees as established by county ordinance

Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, agencies must respond to written requests within five business days, though extensions may apply under certain circumstances as outlined in § 67.902.

Contents of an Adams County Arrest Record

Adams County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Pennsylvania law and local regulations. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including Pennsylvania Criminal Code citations
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency information
Booking number and detention facility information
Bail or bond amount set by the magistrate
Preliminary hearing date (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification data
Booking photograph ("mugshot")

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the arresting agency's protocols. Records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Pennsylvania law and may not be accessible through standard public record requests.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Adams County

Under Pennsylvania law, certain individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained in Adams County. The authority for expungement is established under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, which provides specific criteria for record expungement eligibility.

Expungement may be available in the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdict)
Cases where charges were withdrawn or nolle prossed
Summary offense convictions after five years of arrest-free behavior
Successful completion of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) programs
Arrests without convictions after three years (for individuals over 70 years of age)
Certain juvenile adjudications

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Adams County Court of Common Pleas. Petitioners must:

Complete the appropriate petition forms available from the Clerk of Courts
Pay the required filing fee (approximately $132 as of 2025)
Provide certified copies of relevant case dispositions
Submit to any required background checks
Attend a scheduled hearing before a judge of the Court of Common Pleas

Upon judicial approval of an expungement petition, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to remove the specified records from public access. However, certain law enforcement and licensing agencies may retain limited access to expunged records for official purposes as permitted by statute.

Legal representation is not required for expungement proceedings, but petitioners may benefit from consulting with an attorney familiar with Pennsylvania expungement law. The Adams County Bar Association maintains a referral service for individuals seeking legal counsel for expungement matters.