Arrest records are public documents in Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This legislation establishes the framework for public access to governmental records, including those pertaining to law enforcement activities. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania maintains this policy to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to uphold the public's right to information regarding criminal justice proceedings.
The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law specifically designates arrest records as public information, with certain exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and other protected categories as defined in § 67.708 of the statute. Members of the public may access these records through designated governmental agencies, including the Castle Shannon Police Department and the Allegheny County Court system.
It should be noted that while arrest records are generally accessible, the information contained therein does not constitute proof of guilt, as all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The public nature of these records serves the dual purpose of governmental accountability and community awareness regarding law enforcement activities within the municipality.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides multiple avenues through which members of the public may access arrest records in Castle Shannon. Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, these records are maintained by various governmental entities and may be accessed through the following official channels:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Castle Shannon Police Department, located at 3310 McRoberts Road, Castle Shannon, PA 15234. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should be prepared to complete a standard records request form and provide identification.
The Castle Shannon Borough website provides information regarding the procedures for submitting records requests electronically. Pursuant to § 67.703 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, agencies must accept written requests submitted in person, by mail, by email, or by facsimile.
The Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas maintains records of criminal proceedings that follow arrests. These records may be accessed through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal, which provides case information for matters that have proceeded to court.
The Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, located at 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, maintains information regarding prosecutions resulting from arrests in Castle Shannon and other municipalities within the county.
Requestors should be advised that processing times for records requests may vary depending on the volume of requests and the complexity of the search required. Pursuant to § 67.901 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, agencies must respond to requests within five business days, though extensions may apply under certain circumstances.
Arrest records maintained by the Castle Shannon Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Allegheny County typically contain the following categories of information, as prescribed by Pennsylvania law and departmental policies:
It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with § 67.708 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, which establishes exceptions for information that may compromise ongoing investigations, endanger individuals, or violate privacy protections established by other statutes.
The Castle Shannon Police Department, in accordance with departmental policy and state regulations, maintains these records in both physical and electronic formats. Electronic records are subject to the same public access provisions as physical documents, pursuant to § 67.102 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides legal mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Castle Shannon and throughout Allegheny County. Expungement proceedings are governed by 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, which establishes the criteria and procedures for removing arrest records from public access.
Eligibility for expungement in Castle Shannon is determined by the following statutory criteria:
The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, located at 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Petitioners may be required to appear at a hearing, at which the court will consider factors including the nature of the offense, the petitioner's criminal history, and the potential impact of expungement on public safety.
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies, including the Castle Shannon Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, to remove the specified records from public access. It should be noted that certain records may be retained for law enforcement purposes, though they will no longer be accessible to the general public.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves legal complexities and may benefit from consultation with legal counsel. The Allegheny County Bar Association maintains a referral service for individuals seeking representation in expungement proceedings.
Castle Shannon Police Department
3310 McRoberts Road
Castle Shannon, PA 15234
Phone: (412) 885-9300
Official Website
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
436 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 350-5400
Official Website
Allegheny County District Attorney's Office
436 Grant Street, Suite 401
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 350-4400
Official Website