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Perkasie Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Perkasie, Pennsylvania?

Arrest records in Perkasie, Pennsylvania are considered public information pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This legislation establishes the framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the borough's jurisdiction. The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law operates under the presumption that records in possession of state and local agencies are public, thereby ensuring transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials.

Members of the public may access these records subject to certain exemptions outlined in § 67.708 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law. These exemptions are designed to protect sensitive information while maintaining the public's right to information concerning governmental activities. The Perkasie Borough Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations and makes them available through established protocols.

How to Look Up Perkasie Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Perkasie Borough. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following official channels:

In-Person Requests at Police Department: Citizens may submit requests directly at the Perkasie Borough Police Department located at 311 S. 9th Street, Perkasie, PA 18944. The department maintains regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should be prepared to complete a standard request form and provide identification.
Bucks County Court Records: The Bucks County Court of Common Pleas maintains records of arrests that have resulted in formal charges. These records can be accessed at the courthouse located at 100 N. Main Street, Doylestown, PA 18901.
Online Portal Access: The Perkasie Borough Police Department provides limited online access to certain public records through their official website. Users must register and may be subject to verification procedures before accessing sensitive information.
Written Requests: Pursuant to § 67.703 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, written requests may be submitted to the designated Right-to-Know Officer at the Perkasie Borough Municipal Building, 620 W. Chestnut Street, Perkasie, PA 18944. Requests must specify the records sought with reasonable particularity.

Standard processing fees apply to all record requests in accordance with the fee schedule established by the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. Current fees include $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies and additional charges for certified records or specialized document retrieval.

Contents of a Perkasie Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Perkasie Borough Police Department contain standardized information as mandated by Pennsylvania law. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, identifying marks), and residential address at time of arrest
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Pennsylvania Criminal Code references and grade of offense (summary, misdemeanor, or felony)
Case Processing Information: Preliminary arraignment details, bail determination, and court docket number if formal charges were filed
Booking Data: Fingerprint records, photograph (mugshot), and unique identification numbers assigned to the case
Disposition Information: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system, including whether charges were dismissed, withdrawn, or resulted in conviction

It should be noted that pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or ongoing investigations where disclosure could compromise public safety.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Perkasie

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122. Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records in Perkasie must adhere to established statutory procedures.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Pennsylvania include:

Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdict)
Arrests that did not lead to conviction or formal charges
Summary offenses after five years of arrest-free behavior
Certain misdemeanor convictions after ten years without subsequent arrests
Successful completion of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) programs
Individuals over 70 years of age who have been arrest-free for ten years
Deceased individuals (upon petition by legal representative)

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

File a Petition for Expungement with the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas
Pay the required filing fee (currently $167.00 as of 2025)
Serve copies of the petition to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office
Attend a scheduled hearing if the District Attorney objects to the expungement

Upon judicial approval, the court will issue an Order for Expungement directing all relevant agencies, including the Perkasie Borough Police Department, to seal or destroy the specified records. The Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository will also receive notification to update their records accordingly.

Individuals with questions regarding eligibility may contact the Bucks County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at 215-348-9413 for guidance or to obtain legal representation for the expungement process.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Perkasie, Pennsylvania law imposes certain restrictions on their accessibility and use. These limitations are designed to balance transparency with privacy concerns and prevent misuse of sensitive information.

Key restrictions include:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 6308, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are not publicly accessible except under limited circumstances specified by statute.
Sealed Records: Records that have been sealed by court order following successful completion of diversion programs or pursuant to the Clean Slate Act (Act 56 of 2018) are not available for public inspection.
Pending Investigations: Information related to ongoing criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld under § 67.708(b)(16) of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.
Commercial Use Limitations: Pennsylvania law prohibits the use of criminal history record information for certain commercial purposes, particularly those related to solicitation or marketing services.

The Perkasie Borough Police Department is required to maintain compliance with these restrictions when processing public record requests. Violations of these provisions may result in civil penalties as prescribed by state law.