Arrest records in Cambria County, Pennsylvania are considered public information pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This legislation establishes that criminal history information, including arrest records, shall be accessible to members of the general public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania maintains this policy to ensure transparency in law enforcement operations and to uphold the public's right to information regarding criminal justice proceedings.
The Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183) further governs the dissemination of arrest records in Pennsylvania. Under this legislation, law enforcement agencies in Cambria County are authorized to release arrest information to the public, though certain protections exist for juvenile records and cases under active investigation. Public access to these records serves the dual purpose of maintaining governmental accountability and enabling citizens to make informed decisions regarding public safety.
Cambria County arrest records are available through several authorized online platforms. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania maintains a web portal where members of the public may access docket information related to criminal cases, including arrest information. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal provides a centralized database for court records that includes Cambria County arrest information.
Digital access to these records is maintained in accordance with Pennsylvania's electronic records policies. The online availability of arrest records facilitates public access while reducing administrative burden on county offices. Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, comprehensive records may require additional requests through official channels. Some records may be subject to redaction pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.706 to protect confidential information such as Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other sensitive personal data.
Multiple methods exist for obtaining Cambria County arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following official channels:
Online Database Access: The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal provides searchable access to court dockets and case information. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers to locate arrest records.
Cambria County Sheriff's Office: Cambria County Courthouse 200 South Center Street Ebensburg, PA 15931 (814) 472-1691 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Cambria County Clerk of Courts: Cambria County Courthouse 200 South Center Street Ebensburg, PA 15931 (814) 472-1440 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Open Records Requests: Formal requests may be submitted under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law to the Cambria County Open Records Office: Record Storage 1150 Wilmore Road Ebensburg, PA 15931 (814) 472-2353 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository: For comprehensive criminal history information, requests may be submitted to the Pennsylvania State Police, which maintains records for all counties including Cambria.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Fees may apply for record searches and copies in accordance with established fee schedules.
Arrest records maintained by Cambria County law enforcement agencies typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Pennsylvania statute:
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary depending on the stage of criminal proceedings and the specific law enforcement agency involved. Records maintained by the Cambria County Sheriff's Office may contain different elements than those maintained by municipal police departments within the county. All records are subject to the retention schedules established by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission pursuant to the County Records Act (16 P.S. § 13001-13006).
Pennsylvania law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, individuals may petition for expungement in Cambria County when:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility for expungement. If granted, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to expunge the specified records.
The Pennsylvania Criminal Record Expungement application process requires submission of Form SP 4-170 to the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository. Successful expungement removes the arrest record from public access and from law enforcement databases, though certain agencies may retain limited information for administrative purposes as permitted by statute.