>Dauphin County Arrest Records Online

Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania?

Arrest records are public in Dauphin 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 Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.) further governs the dissemination of criminal history record information, including arrest data. Members of the public may access these records as part of the Commonwealth's commitment to governmental transparency and accountability.

The Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. While most arrest information is publicly available, certain sensitive information may be redacted or restricted, including:

Information that would compromise an ongoing investigation
Juvenile records (except in specific circumstances)
Records sealed by court order
Information protected by federal law

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Dauphin County?

Dauphin County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides a centralized portal where members of the public may search for criminal cases, including arrest information. Additionally, the Dauphin County Prison Inmate Lookup system allows for verification of current incarceration status.

Online access to arrest records is subject to the following conditions:

Users must comply with the Criminal History Record Information Act when utilizing these records
Some detailed information may require in-person requests
Certain records may have restricted online access due to privacy concerns
Commercial use of these records may be subject to additional regulations

The Pennsylvania State Police also maintains a repository of criminal history information that may be accessed through formal request procedures as outlined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121.

How to Look Up Dauphin County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Dauphin County arrest records. Interested parties may utilize the following methods to access this information:

Submit a request through the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas located at 101 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717-780-6630, operating Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm)
Access the Unified Judicial System Web Portal for electronic docket information
Visit the Dauphin County Sheriff's Office at 101 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717-780-6590) for warrant and arrest information
Utilize the Public Docket Information System maintained by Dauphin County
Submit a Right-to-Know request to the appropriate law enforcement agency that made the arrest

When requesting arrest records, individuals must provide sufficient identifying information, which typically includes the full name of the subject and, if available, date of birth or case number. Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9152, requestors may be required to present identification and complete a request form documenting the purpose of their inquiry.

Contents of a Dauphin County Arrest Record

Dauphin County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Pennsylvania law. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Criminal charges filed, including statute citations
Docket number assigned to the case
Arresting agency and officer information
Preliminary arraignment details
Bail or bond information
Scheduled court appearances
Disposition of the case, if resolved

In accordance with the Criminal History Record Information Act, arrest records may also contain fingerprint data and photographic identification (mugshots). These biometric identifiers are maintained in the Commonwealth's central repository operated by the Pennsylvania State Police.

It should be noted that pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121(b), arrest records that did not lead to convictions may have limited dissemination to non-criminal justice agencies after certain time periods have elapsed.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Dauphin County

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides legal mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. In Dauphin County, individuals may petition for expungement pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 if they meet statutory eligibility requirements. Expungement eligibility generally includes:

Arrests that did not result in conviction
Summary offense convictions after five years of arrest-free behavior
Certain misdemeanor convictions after completion of the Limited Access Petition process
Successful completion of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) programs
Individuals over 70 years of age with a 10-year arrest-free period
Deceased individuals (upon petition by personal representative)

The Clean Slate Act of 2018 (Act 56) further expanded record-sealing provisions in Pennsylvania, implementing an automated process for sealing eligible non-violent misdemeanor convictions after 10 years without subsequent offenses.

To initiate the expungement process, petitioners must file formal documentation with the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas. This petition must include:

Complete criminal history information
Certified copies of dispositions
Filing fee or fee waiver request
Properly formatted petition as required by local court rules

The District Attorney's Office reviews all expungement petitions and may contest requests that do not meet statutory requirements. A judge will make the final determination on whether to grant the expungement based on statutory eligibility and the merits of the petition.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Dauphin County, several important legal restrictions govern their accessibility and use. The Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.) establishes specific limitations on how these records may be accessed and utilized. Key restrictions include:

Employers are prohibited from considering arrests that did not lead to convictions when making hiring decisions, pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9125
Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are subject to heightened confidentiality under 42 Pa.C.S. § 6308
Information related to victims of sexual offenses or domestic violence may be redacted to protect privacy
Records sealed under the Clean Slate Act are not accessible through public portals
Intelligence information and investigative materials may be withheld under exemptions to the Right to Know Law

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (43 P.S. § 951 et seq.) further prohibits discrimination based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction. Violations of these provisions may result in civil penalties and remedial action.

Government agencies maintaining arrest records must comply with data security protocols established by the Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure of sensitive information.

Search Arrest Records in Dauphin County

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