State College Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in State College, Pennsylvania?
Arrest records are public documents in State College, Pennsylvania, accessible to all members of the public under state transparency laws. The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.) establishes the framework for public access to government records, including those related to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. This legislation ensures that citizens can obtain information about arrests conducted within State College municipal boundaries, subject to specific exemptions that may apply to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal privacy in certain circumstances.
The Centre County District Attorney's Office maintains that public access to arrest records serves the dual purpose of ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations and allowing citizens to remain informed about public safety matters in their community. Records may be redacted in accordance with Pennsylvania law when they contain sensitive information that falls under statutory exemptions.
Requesters should note that while arrest records are generally public, the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.) places certain restrictions on how criminal history information may be used, particularly by employers and licensing agencies.
How to Look Up State College Arrest Records in 2025
State College residents and other interested parties have multiple avenues to access arrest records within the municipality. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System has modernized record access procedures to accommodate both in-person and remote requests. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following methods:
Submit a formal request to the State College Police Department located at 243 South Allen Street, State College, PA 16801. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and can be reached at (814) 234-7150.
Access the Centre County Court of Common Pleas records through the public terminals available at the courthouse located at 102 South Allegheny Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823. Court offices operate weekdays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Utilize the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's web portal (UJS Portal) to search for court cases that may contain arrest information. This system provides docket information for cases that have been filed with the courts.
Submit a Right to Know request to the appropriate agency's Open Records Officer. For State College Borough records, requests can be submitted to the Borough Administration Office at 243 South Allen Street, State College, PA 16801.
Contact the Centre County Clerk of Courts at 102 South Allegheny Street, Room 102, Bellefonte, PA 16823, or by phone at (814) 355-6727 for certified copies of criminal case records.
Requesters should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any case numbers if available. Pursuant to Pennsylvania law, agencies may charge reasonable fees for duplication and certification of records.
Contents of a State College Arrest Record
State College arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act. These official documents typically include:
- Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, address, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Enumeration of criminal charges filed, including Pennsylvania Crimes Code citations
- Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
- Booking information, including processing location and unique identification numbers
- Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process
- Fingerprint records collected at the time of arrest
- Preliminary arraignment details, including bail determination
- Case disposition information, if available
- Warrant information, when applicable
The Pennsylvania State Police, as the central repository for criminal history information under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102, maintains comprehensive records that may include additional details beyond those found in local arrest records. The Centre County Criminal Justice Advisory Board oversees the standardization of record-keeping practices across law enforcement agencies within the county.
Records obtained from the State College Police Department may contain redactions in accordance with exemptions permitted under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, particularly regarding information that could compromise ongoing investigations or violate privacy protections established by state statute.
Expungement of Arrest Records in State College
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records in State College under specific circumstances. Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, individuals may petition for expungement when:
- The arrest did not result in a conviction
- The charges were withdrawn or nolle prossed by the prosecution
- The individual was acquitted following trial
- The case was dismissed by judicial order
- The individual has completed an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program for non-violent first offenses
- The conviction was for a summary offense and the individual has remained free from arrest for five years
- The individual has reached 70 years of age and has been free from arrest for ten years
- The individual has been deceased for three years
The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal documentation with the Centre County Court of Common Pleas. The petition must include:
- Complete criminal history verification from the Pennsylvania State Police
- Certified copies of all relevant court dispositions
- Affidavit attesting to eligibility under Pennsylvania law
- Proposed order for judicial signature
Upon receipt of a petition, the court schedules a hearing where the District Attorney's Office may contest the expungement request. If granted, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to remove the record from public access. The Centre County Clerk of Courts coordinates the distribution of expungement orders to appropriate agencies, including the State College Police Department, Centre County Prison, and Pennsylvania State Police.
The Pennsylvania Clean Slate Law, enacted in 2018 and expanded in 2019, provides for automatic sealing of certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions after ten years without subsequent offenses. This automated process supplements the traditional expungement petition system but does not remove records from law enforcement access.
Individuals seeking expungement may obtain assistance through MidPenn Legal Services located at 3500 East College Avenue, Suite 1295, State College, PA 16801, which provides guidance to low-income residents navigating the expungement process.
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