Clarion County, Pennsylvania Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Clarion County, Pennsylvania?
Arrest records are public documents in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, 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 and criminal proceedings. The law operates under the presumption that records in possession of state and local agencies are public unless specifically exempted by statute, regulation, or court order. Citizens seeking information about arrests have a statutory right to access these records, subject to certain limitations designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances.
The Clarion County Court of Common Pleas maintains these records in accordance with Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System guidelines. Public access to these records promotes governmental transparency and accountability while enabling citizens to remain informed about law enforcement activities within their community.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Clarion County?
Arrest records for Clarion County are accessible through various online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides a centralized web portal where members of the public may search court dockets and case information, including records related to arrests that have proceeded to court action. This system operates pursuant to the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania.
Additionally, the Clarion County Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests executed by their department, some of which may be available through their online resources. The Pennsylvania State Police also provides public information release reports that may contain arrest information for incidents occurring within Clarion County jurisdiction.
Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, comprehensive records may require in-person requests at the appropriate county offices. Online systems may not contain complete historical records, as digitization efforts remain ongoing throughout Pennsylvania counties.
How to Look Up Clarion County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Clarion County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information:
Unified Judicial System Web Portal: The Pennsylvania court system maintains a comprehensive case search database where users may query arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings. This resource is available 24 hours per day.
Clarion County Courthouse: The Court of Common Pleas maintains physical records that may be accessed during regular business hours.
Clarion County Court of Common Pleas
421 Main Street
Clarion, PA 16214
(814) 226-9351
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMClarion County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff maintains records of arrests executed by their department.
Clarion County Sheriff's Office
421 Main Street, Suite 36
Clarion, PA 16214
(814) 226-7614
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMPennsylvania State Police: For arrests made by state troopers within Clarion County.
Pennsylvania State Police - Troop C, Clarion Station
209 Commerce Road
Clarion, PA 16214
(814) 226-1710
Hours: 24 hours daily
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and any additional identifying information. Pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.703, agencies may require the use of official request forms when processing record requests.
Contents of a Clarion County Arrest Record
Clarion County arrest records typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Pennsylvania law and administrative regulations. These records generally include:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed, including Pennsylvania Criminal Code citations
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking information including processing location
- Preliminary arraignment details
- Bail determination and status
- Case docket number (if assigned)
- Mugshot photograph (subject to specific disclosure rules)
- Fingerprint classification data
Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121, certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, particularly when related to ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or when disclosure would compromise public safety. Juvenile arrest records are generally not publicly accessible under 42 Pa.C.S. § 6308, which establishes confidentiality for most juvenile proceedings.
Legal Uses of Arrest Records in Clarion County
Arrest records in Clarion County serve multiple legitimate purposes within the criminal justice system and broader society. Authorized uses include:
Criminal Justice Administration: Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and corrections officials utilize arrest records to track case progression and make informed decisions regarding charging, bail, sentencing, and supervision.
Background Verification: Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9125, employers may consider arrest records that resulted in convictions when making hiring decisions for positions where such history is relevant to job duties. However, employers must comply with restrictions on the use of non-conviction records.
Professional Licensing: Regulatory boards overseeing professions requiring licensure may review arrest records as part of character and fitness evaluations, as authorized by their respective enabling statutes.
Housing Applications: Landlords may review conviction records subject to limitations imposed by fair housing laws and Pennsylvania Human Relations Act provisions.
Academic Research: De-identified arrest data may be utilized for criminological research and policy analysis purposes.
Users of arrest record information must comply with the Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.), which establishes parameters for the collection, maintenance, dissemination, and use of criminal history record information. Misuse of arrest records may result in civil liability under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9183.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Clarion County
Pennsylvania law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. In Clarion County, individuals may petition for expungement pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 when:
- The arrest did not lead to a conviction (acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi, or withdrawal of charges)
- 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 conviction was for a summary offense and the individual has been free from arrest for five years
- The individual has received a full pardon from the Governor
Additionally, Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law (Act 56 of 2018) provides for automatic sealing of certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions after ten years without subsequent offenses. While sealed records remain available to law enforcement agencies, they are not visible in public record searches.
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas. The court reviews each petition individually, considering factors including the nature of the offense, the petitioner's criminal history, and the time elapsed since the arrest or conviction.
Limitations on Access to Arrest Records
While arrest records are generally public in Clarion County, several statutory and administrative restrictions limit access to certain information:
Juvenile Records: Pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 6308, records pertaining to juvenile arrests and proceedings are confidential and not accessible to the general public except in limited circumstances.
Sealed Records: Records sealed under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law or by court order are not visible in public record searches.
Expunged Records: Records that have been expunged pursuant to court order are removed from public access.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to active criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld under exemptions to the Right to Know Law.
Protected Identities: Information that would reveal the identity of confidential informants, undercover officers, or victims of certain offenses may be redacted.
Mental Health Proceedings: Records related to involuntary mental health commitments have special confidentiality protections under 50 P.S. § 7111.
The Clarion County Open Records Office processes requests in accordance with these limitations and may deny or redact information as required by applicable laws and regulations.
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