Clarion Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Clarion, Pennsylvania?
Arrest records are public documents in Clarion, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This legislation establishes the presumption that government records, including those documenting arrests, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute, regulation, judicial order, or decree. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania maintains this policy to ensure transparency in law enforcement operations and to uphold the public's right to information regarding governmental activities. Citizens, journalists, researchers, and other interested parties may access these records through established channels, subject to certain limitations designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121.
How to Look Up Clarion Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may obtain arrest records in Clarion County. Requestors seeking such information should be aware of the following options:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Clarion County Sheriff's Office located at 421 Main Street, Clarion, PA 16214. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (814) 226-7973.
Clarion County Courthouse maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings. These records may be accessed at 421 Main Street, Clarion, PA 16214. Public access hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (814) 226-4000.
Pennsylvania State Police, Clarion Station provides access to certain arrest records within their jurisdiction at 209 Commerce Road, Clarion, PA 16214. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Telephone: (814) 226-1710.
Written requests may be submitted via certified mail to any of the above agencies. Pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.703, such requests must specify the records sought with sufficient particularity.
Electronic requests may be submitted through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal, which provides access to court docket information related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.
Requestors should note that processing fees may apply in accordance with the fee schedule established under 65 P.S. § 67.1307. Standard identification (government-issued photo ID) is typically required for in-person requests to verify the identity of the requestor.
Contents of a Clarion Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Clarion County law enforcement agencies and the court system typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address at time of arrest.
Arrest details documenting the date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred.
Incident information describing the alleged criminal activity, including Pennsylvania Criminal Code citations and statutory references.
Arresting agency information identifying the law enforcement department responsible for the arrest and the names of arresting officers.
Booking documentation including photographs ("mugshots") taken during processing and fingerprint records collected pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9112.
Charging information detailing the specific offenses for which the individual was arrested, including grade of offense (summary, misdemeanor, or felony) and statutory references.
Custody status indicating whether the individual was released on their own recognizance, posted bail, or was remanded to the Clarion County Corrections Facility.
Preliminary hearing information including scheduled court dates, presiding magisterial district judge, and initial disposition of charges.
It should be noted that pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121(b), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or where disclosure might compromise an ongoing investigation.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Clarion
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides statutory mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Clarion County. This process is governed primarily by 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 and Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure 490 and 790.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Clarion County include:
- Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdict)
- Arrests that did not lead to formal charges
- Cases dismissed by the court or withdrawn by the prosecution
- Summary offenses after five years of arrest-free behavior
- Certain misdemeanor offenses after ten years without subsequent arrests
- Non-conviction records for individuals over 70 years of age who have been arrest-free for at least five years
- Records of deceased individuals (upon petition by legal representative)
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a Petition for Expungement with the Clerk of Courts at the Clarion County Courthouse, 421 Main Street, Clarion, PA 16214.
- Pay the required filing fee (approximately $132 as of 2025, subject to change).
- Serve copies of the petition on the District Attorney's Office and the arresting agency.
- Attend a scheduled hearing if the District Attorney files an objection to the petition.
Upon judicial approval, an Order for Expungement is issued directing all relevant agencies to remove the specified records from public access. The Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository, Clarion County Sheriff's Office, and arresting agency must comply with this order within 30 days of receipt.
Individuals with arrests for certain offenses, particularly those involving violence, sexual misconduct, or offenses against minors, may face additional restrictions on expungement eligibility under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(b.1).
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