>Berks County Arrest Records Online

Berks County, Pennsylvania Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Berks County, Pennsylvania?

Arrest records are public documents in Berks County, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This legislation establishes the presumption that records in possession of governmental bodies are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law, court order, or privilege. Arrest records maintained by Berks County law enforcement agencies contain information about individuals who have been taken into custody, including the circumstances of their arrest, booking information, and subsequent processing through the criminal justice system. The Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.) further governs the dissemination of these records while balancing public access rights with privacy considerations.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Berks County?

Berks County arrest records are accessible through various digital platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides electronic access to court dockets and case information through its web portal. Additionally, the Berks County Clerk of Courts maintains digital records of criminal proceedings that may be accessed remotely. The Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act authorizes the electronic dissemination of these records while establishing protocols for their accuracy, security, and appropriate use. Members of the public should note that while basic arrest information is available online, certain documents may require in-person requests at county facilities.

How to Look Up Berks County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing Berks County arrest records:

Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal: The UJS Portal Case Search provides searchable access to criminal dockets and case information.
Berks County Clerk of Courts Office: This office maintains official criminal court records. Berks County Clerk of Courts 633 Court Street, 4th Floor Reading, PA 19601 (610) 478-6550 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Berks County Sheriff's Office: Provides information on active warrants and arrests. Berks County Sheriff's Office 633 Court Street, 3rd Floor Reading, PA 19601 (610) 478-6240 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Berks County Prison: Maintains custody records for current inmates. Berks County Jail System 1287 County Welfare Road Leesport, PA 19533 (610) 208-4800 Official Website Visiting Hours: Vary by inmate classification

Pursuant to Pennsylvania law, requestors may be required to complete standardized forms and provide identification when seeking arrest records. Fees may apply in accordance with the fee schedule established under 65 P.S. § 67.1307.

Contents of a Berks County Arrest Record

Standard Berks County arrest records contain the following information as prescribed by the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act:

Full legal name and known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint classification data
Physical descriptors including height, weight, distinguishing features
Bail or bond information
Case disposition status
Docket number assigned by the Court of Common Pleas

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of these records in accordance with 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121, including Social Security numbers, financial account information, and information pertaining to victims of certain offenses. Juvenile records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act.

Legal Uses of Berks County Arrest Records

Berks County arrest records may be lawfully utilized for several purposes as authorized under Pennsylvania law:

Background screening for employment in positions requiring security clearances
Tenant screening by property management entities
Professional licensing determinations by regulatory boards
Immigration proceedings and visa application reviews
Insurance underwriting assessments
Child custody and adoption proceedings
Academic research with appropriate privacy safeguards
Journalistic reporting on matters of public interest

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) and Pennsylvania state law impose restrictions on how arrest record information may be used in employment and housing decisions. Specifically, 18 Pa.C.S. § 9125 prohibits employers from considering arrests not resulting in convictions when making employment decisions unless the position involves working with vulnerable populations.

Limitations on Access to Berks County Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public, several statutory and procedural limitations exist:

Records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under 18 years) are confidential pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 6308, with limited exceptions for serious offenses
Records sealed by court order following expungement or limited access orders
Information related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under 65 P.S. § 67.708(b)(16)
Records containing protected health information as defined by HIPAA
Information that would compromise victim safety or violate rape shield protections
Intelligence information compiled by law enforcement agencies

The Berks County Court of Common Pleas adjudicates disputes regarding record access when agencies deny requests based on these exemptions. Requestors denied access may file appeals with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days of denial.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Berks County

Pennsylvania law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, individuals may petition for expungement when:

The arrest did not result in conviction (charges dismissed, withdrawn, or acquittal)
The individual has reached 70 years of age and has been free from arrest for 10 years
The individual has been deceased for three years
The conviction was for certain summary offenses and five years have elapsed without subsequent arrests
The individual successfully completed an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for non-violent offenses

Additionally, Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law (Act 56 of 2018) provides for automatic sealing of eligible non-violent misdemeanor convictions after 10 years without subsequent offenses. The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Berks County Court of Common Pleas, payment of filing fees, and judicial review. If granted, expungement orders are transmitted to all agencies maintaining the records, including the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository.

Inmate Locator Services for Berks County

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Berks County maintain several resources to locate individuals currently in custody:

The Pennsylvania Inmate Locator provides real-time information on individuals housed in state correctional facilities
The Berks County Jail System maintains records of locally incarcerated individuals
The Pennsylvania SAVIN (Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification) system allows registered users to receive automated notifications regarding changes in inmate status
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections provides additional resources for locating state inmates and parolees

These systems are updated daily and provide basic custody information including facility location, projected release dates, and parole eligibility. Pursuant to Pennsylvania law, certain victim notification requirements apply when inmates are released or transferred.