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Carlisle Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Carlisle, Pennsylvania?

Arrest records are public documents in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This legislation establishes the presumption that governmental records are accessible to the public to promote transparency and accountability within public offices. The law mandates that arrest records maintained by the Carlisle Police Department and Cumberland County law enforcement agencies remain available for public inspection, with certain statutory exceptions for privacy and ongoing investigations as outlined in § 67.708 of the statute.

Members of the public may access these records to monitor law enforcement activities, conduct background checks, or verify information related to criminal proceedings. The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law specifically designates arrest records as public information, reflecting the Commonwealth's commitment to open government and civic engagement in matters of public safety and criminal justice administration.

How to Look Up Carlisle Arrest Records in 2025

The Borough of Carlisle provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to Pennsylvania's public records statutes, the following methods are available for obtaining arrest information:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Carlisle Police Department to submit formal requests for arrest records. Proper identification is required, and applicable fees may be assessed for document reproduction.

Carlisle Police Department
240 Lincoln Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-5252
Carlisle Borough Police Department

Cumberland County Courthouse: Court records related to arrests may be accessed at the county courthouse, where docket information and case proceedings are maintained.

Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 240-6200
Cumberland County Court Administration

Online Databases: The Carlisle Borough website provides digital access to certain public records, including arrest information that has been processed for online availability.
Written Correspondence: Formal written requests may be submitted to the Records Officer at the Carlisle Police Department, with specific information about the records being sought.
Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System: Court case information related to arrests may be accessed through the state's unified judicial web portal, which contains docket information for criminal cases.

Requestors should note that processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and the current administrative workload of the department. Fees for record retrieval and reproduction are established in accordance with § 67.1307 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.

Contents of a Carlisle Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Carlisle Police Department and Cumberland County law enforcement agencies typically contain the following information as prescribed by Pennsylvania statutes and departmental policies:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including Pennsylvania Criminal Code citations
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Booking photographs ("mugshots") as permitted under departmental policy
Fingerprint records when collected pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9112
Preliminary hearing date and location
Bail information and custody status
Case disposition information, when available

The Borough of Carlisle Police Department maintains these records in accordance with the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC) standards, ensuring consistency and compliance with state regulations regarding record-keeping practices.

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with exemptions provided in § 67.708 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, particularly when disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation, reveal the identity of confidential informants, or infringe upon protected privacy interests.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Carlisle is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. The following statutes and regulations establish the parameters for record access:

Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.): Establishes the presumption that government records are public and accessible to Pennsylvania citizens.
Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.): Regulates the collection, maintenance, dissemination, and use of criminal history record information by criminal justice agencies.
Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure: Rule 113 addresses the management of court case records and public access provisions.
Borough of Carlisle Ordinances: Local regulations may supplement state law regarding the maintenance and accessibility of municipal records, including those related to law enforcement activities.

The Borough Manager's Office oversees compliance with these legal requirements in coordination with the Carlisle Police Department and other municipal agencies. Public records officers are designated to process requests in accordance with statutory timelines and procedural requirements.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally accessible to the public, certain statutory and procedural limitations restrict access under specific circumstances:

Active Investigations: Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure pursuant to § 67.708(b)(16) of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.
Juvenile Records: Arrest records involving minors are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under the Juvenile Act (42 Pa.C.S. § 6301 et seq.) and are generally not available for public inspection.
Expunged or Sealed Records: Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, records that have been expunged or sealed by court order are removed from public access.
Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, financial account information, and certain other personal identifiers may be redacted from public records to prevent identity theft and protect privacy interests.
Witness and Victim Information: Details that could compromise the safety or privacy of witnesses and victims may be withheld in accordance with statutory protections.

The Carlisle Police Department, in consultation with the Borough Solicitor, reviews requests for arrest records to ensure compliance with these limitations while maximizing public access to the greatest extent permitted by law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Carlisle

Pennsylvania law provides mechanisms through which individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under certain circumstances. The expungement process in Carlisle adheres to the following statutory framework:

Eligibility Criteria: Expungement may be available when charges were dismissed, withdrawn, or resulted in acquittal; for summary offenses after five years without arrest; for certain non-violent misdemeanors after ten years; or in cases of successful ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) program completion.
Limited Access Orders: Pursuant to the Clean Slate Law (Act 56 of 2018), certain eligible records may be automatically sealed from public view while remaining accessible to law enforcement agencies.
Petition Process: Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas, which will be reviewed by the District Attorney's Office and scheduled for judicial consideration.
Effect of Expungement: When granted, expungement results in the removal of records from public databases and prohibits their disclosure by criminal justice agencies.

The Cumberland County Court Administration, located at 1 Courthouse Square, Carlisle, PA 17013, processes expungement petitions in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure and applicable statutes. Legal representation is advisable but not required for individuals pursuing expungement of arrest records.