>Chester County Arrest Records Online

Chester County, Pennsylvania Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Chester County, Pennsylvania?

Arrest records are public in Chester County, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible for public inspection and duplication unless specifically exempted by law. The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law serves to enhance governmental transparency and accountability by providing citizens with access to records documenting official actions and transactions.

Members of the public may access these records through designated repositories maintained by law enforcement agencies and court systems throughout Chester County. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania maintains that public access to such records serves the public interest by allowing citizens to monitor the activities of government agencies, including those involved in law enforcement and criminal justice proceedings.

It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Pennsylvania law, particularly information pertaining to juvenile offenders, victims of certain crimes, and confidential informants as specified in 65 P.S. § 67.708.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Chester County?

Chester County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. Additionally, the UJS Web Portal Case Search allows users to search for cases by name, docket number, or other identifiers.

The Chester County Court of Common Pleas maintains digital records that may be accessed remotely, subject to the provisions of the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. This policy governs the manner in which electronic court records may be accessed while balancing the public's right to information with individual privacy concerns.

Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 2017-00007, certain case information may be restricted from online access even when the underlying records remain publicly accessible through in-person requests at the appropriate county office.

How to Look Up Chester County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which individuals may obtain Chester County arrest records. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking such information:

Chester County Clerk of Courts Office
201 W. Market Street, Suite 4100
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 344-6135
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Clerk maintains official court records including criminal case files that contain arrest information.
Chester County Sheriff's Office
201 W. Market Street, Suite 1201
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 344-6850
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests executed by their deputies.
Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 783-5494
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The State Police maintain a centralized criminal history database that includes arrest records from all jurisdictions within the Commonwealth.
Online Public Access Systems
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator provides information about individuals currently incarcerated or under supervision following arrest and conviction.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific identifying information such as the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate accurate record retrieval. Fees may apply for record searches and copies in accordance with established fee schedules.

Contents of a Chester County Arrest Record

Standard Chester County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement at the time of apprehension. These records typically include the following elements as prescribed by Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 513:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, identifying marks, and other distinguishing characteristics
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Enumeration of criminal charges filed, including citation to applicable Pennsylvania statutes
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking photographs ("mugshots") taken during processing
Fingerprint records collected pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9112
Preliminary arraignment information
Bail determination and custody status
Case docket number assigned by the court

These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and form the foundation for subsequent criminal proceedings. The information contained therein is utilized by prosecutors, defense attorneys, judicial officers, and other criminal justice stakeholders throughout the adjudication process.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Chester County

Under Pennsylvania law, specifically 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, certain individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained in Chester County repositories. Expungement constitutes the legal process through which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Chester County include:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of all charges
Arrests not resulting in criminal charges within 18 months
Successful completion of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) programs for non-violent first offenders
Convictions for summary offenses after five years without subsequent arrest
Individuals over 70 years of age who have been free from arrest for ten years
Deceased individuals (upon petition by legal representative)

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Chester County Court of Common Pleas located at:

Chester County Justice Center
201 W. Market Street
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 344-6000
Chester County Courts
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Upon judicial approval of an expungement petition, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to remove the specified records from public access. This includes the Chester County Clerk of Courts, the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository, and any local law enforcement agencies that maintain copies of the arrest record.

Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 790, the expungement order must be served on the district attorney, who has 30 days to file objections before the court may grant the petition.