Arrest records are public in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This legislation establishes the presumption that government records are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law, court order, or privilege. The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law serves as the statutory framework ensuring citizens have access to information regarding governmental activities, including law enforcement operations and arrest documentation. The Commonwealth's commitment to transparency in governmental functions extends to records maintained by county law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, and the court system.
Members of the public may access these records for various purposes, including background checks, legal proceedings, or personal information gathering. The accessibility of these records is subject to certain limitations established by state and federal privacy laws, particularly when the records contain sensitive information or pertain to ongoing investigations as outlined in 65 P.S. § 67.708.
Arrest records for Clinton County are available through various online platforms maintained by governmental entities. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides electronic access to court dockets and case information through its web portal. Additionally, the Pennsylvania State Police and Clinton County Sheriff's Office maintain databases that may be accessed remotely for certain types of records.
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's web portal offers public access to criminal docket sheets that contain information about arrests, charges, and court proceedings. Users should note that pursuant to Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration 509, certain information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy interests while still maintaining the public nature of the records.
Online accessibility varies by record type and age. More recent records are typically digitized and available through electronic means, while older records may require in-person requests at the appropriate county office. The Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.) governs the dissemination of criminal history record information, including arrest data, and establishes parameters for electronic access.
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Clinton County:
Clinton County Court of Common Pleas
230 East Water Street
Lock Haven, PA 17745
(570) 893-4050
Official Court Website
Clinton County Sheriff's Office
230 East Water Street, 1st Floor
Lock Haven, PA 17745
(570) 893-4070
Official Sheriff's Website
Pennsylvania State Police - Troop F (Lamar Station)
7127 Nittany Valley Drive
Mill Hall, PA 17751
(570) 726-6000
Official PSP Website
Pursuant to the Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9121), requestors seeking official criminal history information must submit a formal request to the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository, accompanied by the required fee and proper identification.
Clinton County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Pennsylvania law. These records typically include:
The comprehensiveness of arrest records varies according to the arresting agency and the nature of the offense. Records maintained by the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas contain additional information regarding court proceedings, while records maintained by law enforcement agencies focus primarily on the arrest event itself.
Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102, arrest record information is classified as "criminal history record information" and is subject to specific regulations regarding its collection, maintenance, and dissemination. The accuracy of this information is maintained through regular audits as required by state law.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. In Clinton County, individuals may petition for expungement pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, which establishes the criteria and procedures for removing arrest information from public access.
Eligibility for expungement in Clinton County typically includes:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas. Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure 790-791, the petition must include specific information about the case and grounds for expungement. The District Attorney's Office has 30 days to file objections to the petition. If objections are filed, the court will schedule a hearing to determine whether expungement is warranted.
Limited Access Orders, established under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1, provide an alternative to expungement for certain misdemeanor convictions. These orders restrict public access to criminal history record information while maintaining access for criminal justice agencies.
The Clean Slate Act of 2018 (Act 56) implemented an automated sealing process for eligible non-violent misdemeanor convictions after ten years without subsequent convictions, as well as for arrests that did not result in convictions. This legislation significantly expanded the number of Clinton County residents eligible for record relief.