Berwick Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Berwick, Pennsylvania?
Arrest records are public in Berwick, 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 made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania maintains this policy to ensure transparency in governmental operations, particularly within the criminal justice system. Members of the public may access these records as part of their right to information about law enforcement activities within their communities. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records oversees compliance with this statute and provides guidance on proper implementation of public records access throughout the Commonwealth, including in Columbia County where Berwick is located.
How to Look Up Berwick Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Berwick as of 2025. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and local authorities maintain several channels through which members of the public may access this information:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Berwick Police Department located at 1800 N Market Street, Berwick, PA 18603. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should be prepared to complete a standard records request form and provide identification.
The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal provides electronic access to court dockets and case information. This resource is maintained by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts pursuant to Pa.R.J.A. No. 509.
Written requests may be directed to the Records Division, Berwick Police Department, 1800 N Market Street, Berwick, PA 18603. Correspondence should include the requestor's contact information and specific details about the records being sought.
The Columbia County Courthouse maintains criminal case files that include arrest information. The courthouse is located at 35 West Main Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815, and operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository provides statewide criminal history information, including arrests, through their online portal or by mail request to 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
Requestors should note that processing fees may apply in accordance with the fee schedule established under the Right to Know Law. These fees are designed to cover the reasonable costs of duplicating and transmitting the requested records.
Contents of a Berwick Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Berwick law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Pennsylvania criminal procedure regulations. These documents typically include:
- Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, address, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citations and descriptions of the alleged criminal violations
- Identity of the arresting officer and agency
- Booking information, including mugshot photographs and fingerprint records
- Preliminary arraignment details, including bail determinations and conditions
- Case docket number for tracking within the judicial system
- Custody status information
- Preliminary hearing scheduling information
- Vehicle information, if applicable to the arrest circumstances
- Property seized during the arrest process, if applicable
The Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.) governs the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of this information. While these records are generally public, certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Pennsylvania law, particularly information related to juvenile offenders, victims of certain crimes, and confidential informants.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Berwick
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122. Individuals seeking expungement in Berwick must petition the Court of Common Pleas of Columbia County. Eligibility criteria include:
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of charges
- Arrests without convictions where no disposition has been recorded after 18 months
- Summary offense convictions after five years of arrest-free behavior
- Successful completion of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) programs
- Individuals over 70 years of age who have been free from arrest for ten years
- Deceased individuals (petition may be filed by personal representative)
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a petition with the Clerk of Courts at the Columbia County Courthouse, 35 West Main Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815
- Pay the required filing fee (approximately $250 as of 2025)
- Serve copies of the petition to the District Attorney's Office
- Attend a scheduled hearing if the District Attorney objects to the petition
Upon judicial approval, an expungement order directs all criminal justice agencies to remove the specified records from public access. The Pennsylvania State Police, Berwick Police Department, and other relevant agencies must comply with this order within 30 days of receipt. Expunged records are sequestered rather than destroyed, with access restricted to law enforcement agencies under limited circumstances as permitted by statute.
The Clean Slate Act of 2018 (Act 56) has further expanded record-sealing provisions in Pennsylvania, allowing for automatic sealing of certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions after ten years without subsequent offenses. This legislation operates alongside traditional expungement procedures to provide relief from the collateral consequences of criminal records.
Search Arrest Records in Berwick
