Lock Haven Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania?
Arrest records are public documents in Lock Haven, 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 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania maintains this policy to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to uphold the public's right to information regarding law enforcement activities.
Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Lock Haven Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Clinton County. These records document instances where individuals have been taken into custody by law enforcement officials on suspicion of criminal activity. The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law specifically addresses the accessibility of such records in § 67.708, which outlines exceptions to public access but generally permits the release of arrest information.
It should be noted that while arrest records are public, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or the privacy of victims in specific cases as provided under § 67.708(b).
How to Look Up Lock Haven Arrest Records in 2025
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records in Lock Haven. As of 2025, the following methods are available for obtaining such information:
In-Person Requests at Local Law Enforcement Agencies: Citizens may visit the Lock Haven Police Department to submit formal requests for arrest records. The department maintains a public records counter where designated personnel process such requests.
Lock Haven Police Department
20 E Church St
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Phone: (570) 893-5911
Lock Haven Police Department
Operating hours for public record requests: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Clinton County Sheriff's Office
230 E Water St
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Phone: (570) 893-4070
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the appropriate agency. Such requests must include:
- Full name of the subject of the record
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Date or approximate date of arrest
- Nature of the alleged offense
- Requestor's contact information
- Notarized signature if requesting records of another individual
Online Access Methods: The City of Lock Haven provides digital access to certain public records through its official website. Users may navigate to the Organization & Records section of the police department's webpage to access available digital records or to download request forms.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal (https://ujsportal.pacourts.us) offers access to court dockets that may contain information related to arrests in Clinton County.
Pursuant to § 67.1307 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, agencies may charge reasonable fees for duplication of records, with standard fees for physical copies set at $0.25 per page.
Contents of a Lock Haven Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Lock Haven law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Pennsylvania law enforcement protocols. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in detention or arrest. Standard components of Lock Haven arrest records include:
Subject identification information:
- Legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Social security number (partially redacted in public copies)
- Physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color, identifying marks)
- Residence address at time of arrest
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Preliminary charges filed
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification data
Case processing information:
- Assigned docket number
- Bail determination
- Preliminary hearing scheduling
- Detention facility information
Incident narrative:
- Summary of circumstances leading to arrest
- Witness information (may be redacted)
- Evidence collected (inventory may be redacted)
The Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.) governs the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of these records. While the act ensures public access to basic arrest information, it also establishes protections against improper use of such information, particularly for employment, licensing, or credit purposes.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Lock Haven
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained in Lock Haven and throughout Clinton County. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed.
Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, the following circumstances may qualify an individual for expungement:
Cases resulting in no conviction:
- Charges that were dismissed
- Nolle prosequi dispositions
- Not guilty verdicts
- Successful completion of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) programs
- Withdrawal of charges
Summary offense convictions:
- After five years have elapsed since satisfaction of sentence
- Provided the individual has been free from arrest during that period
Certain misdemeanor convictions:
- Under the Clean Slate Act (Act 56 of 2018)
- For qualifying offenses after 10 years without subsequent arrests
- Limited to specified offense categories
The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal documentation with the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas. Standard procedures include:
- Preparation and filing of a Petition for Expungement
- Payment of filing fees (approximately $167 as of 2025)
- Service of the petition on the District Attorney's Office
- Attendance at scheduled expungement hearing
- Compliance with any court-ordered conditions
Clinton County Court of Common Pleas
230 E Water St
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Phone: (570) 893-4050
Upon granting of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies, including the Lock Haven Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, to remove the specified records from public access. The process typically requires 60-90 days for complete implementation across all systems.
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