Derry Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Derry, Pennsylvania?
Arrest records are public documents in Derry, Pennsylvania, accessible to all members of the public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (Act 3 of 2008). This legislation establishes the presumption that government records are public unless specifically exempted by law, court order, or privilege. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania maintains this policy to ensure transparency in the criminal justice system and accountability of law enforcement agencies. Public access to arrest records serves multiple purposes, including community awareness, research, and background verification processes.
The Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement agencies in Derry Township maintain these records in accordance with § 9121 of the Criminal History Record Information Act. While most arrest information is publicly available, certain restrictions may apply to juvenile records, sealed cases, or records pertaining to ongoing investigations pursuant to § 9106 of the Act.
Members of the public should note that while arrest records document that an arrest occurred, they do not constitute proof of guilt, as all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
How to Look Up Derry Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple channels exist for accessing arrest records in Derry Township, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System has implemented several methods to facilitate public access to these documents. Interested parties may utilize the following official channels:
- Derry Township Police Department: Citizens may request arrest records in person at the department headquarters. Requests require proper identification and completion of a standard request form. Processing times vary based on record age and complexity.
Derry Township Police Department
620 Clearwater Road
Hershey, PA 17033
Phone: (717) 534-2202
Derry Township Police Department
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Westmoreland County Courthouse: The Clerk of Courts maintains criminal case records for arrests processed within the county jurisdiction. Records may be requested in person, by mail, or through the county's online portal.
Westmoreland County Courthouse
2 North Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: (724) 830-3734
Westmoreland County Courts
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository: For comprehensive criminal history information, the State Police maintain the central repository for all arrest records statewide.
Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 783-5494
Pennsylvania State Police
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal: The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts maintains an electronic system for accessing public court records, including information related to criminal cases following arrests.
Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509, standard fees apply for record searches and document reproduction. Current fee schedules are posted at each agency location and on their respective websites.
Contents of a Derry Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Derry Township law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by § 9102 of the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act. These documents typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, Social Security Number (partially redacted in public copies), current address, and physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks such as scars or tattoos.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency and officer identification; statutory authority under which the arrest was made; and whether force was used during apprehension.
Criminal Charges: Complete listing of all charges filed, including Pennsylvania Criminal Code citations, grade of offense (summary, misdemeanor, or felony), and preliminary charge descriptions.
Processing Information: Booking photographs (mugshots), fingerprint classification data, assigned case numbers, and detention facility information if applicable.
Procedural History: Preliminary arraignment details, bail determination, and scheduled court appearance information.
Prior Record: Summary notation of previous arrests and convictions if relevant to the current case, subject to dissemination restrictions under § 9121.
The Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act establishes strict guidelines regarding the accuracy and completeness of these records. Law enforcement agencies must update records to reflect case dispositions within 90 days pursuant to § 9111 of the Act.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Derry
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records in Derry Township under specific circumstances as outlined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122. Expungement constitutes the legal removal of criminal record information from public access and official repositories.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Derry Township include:
- Cases resulting in non-conviction dispositions, including acquittals, nolle prosequi, or withdrawn charges
- Summary offense convictions after five years of arrest-free behavior
- Successful completion of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) programs
- Individuals over 70 years of age with no arrests for ten years
- Deceased individuals (upon petition by authorized representatives)
- Juvenile records meeting statutory requirements under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9123
The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal documentation with the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas. The petition must include:
- Complete identification information
- Specific case docket numbers
- Original charges and final dispositions
- Legal basis for expungement request
- Certified criminal history verification
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing date. The District Attorney's Office receives notification and may contest the petition based on statutory grounds. If approved, the court issues an Expungement Order directing all relevant agencies to remove the specified records from public access.
The Pennsylvania State Police, Derry Township Police Department, and all other agencies maintaining the records must comply with expungement orders within 30 days of receipt. Verification of compliance may be requested by the petitioner.
Limited Access Orders, established under Act 5 of 2016 (18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1), provide an alternative remedy for certain misdemeanor convictions, restricting record access to law enforcement agencies while removing them from public view.
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