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Yeadon Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Yeadon, Pennsylvania?

Arrest records are public documents in Yeadon, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (Act 3 of 2008, 65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104). This comprehensive legislation establishes that records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, are presumed to be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute, regulation, judicial order, or decree. The law supports governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.

The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law specifically addresses criminal records in Section 67.708(b)(16), which provides certain exemptions for criminal investigative records. However, basic arrest information, including the name of the arrested individual, charges filed, and arrest date, remains accessible to the public. This balance aims to protect ongoing investigations while maintaining the public's right to information about law enforcement actions.

How to Look Up Yeadon Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Yeadon, Pennsylvania have multiple avenues available to obtain this information. The following methods are authorized under Pennsylvania law for accessing arrest record information:

  • In-person requests may be submitted at the Yeadon Police Department located at 600 Church Lane, 1st Floor, Yeadon, PA 19050. Requestors should be prepared to complete a formal records request form and provide identification.

  • Written requests may be submitted to the Records Division of the Yeadon Police Department. Pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.703, all requests must be sufficiently specific to enable the agency to identify the requested records.

  • The Delaware County Court of Common Pleas maintains records of arrests that resulted in formal charges. These records may be accessed at the courthouse located at 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063.

  • The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal (https://ujsportal.pacourts.us) provides online access to court docket information, which may include information about arrests that resulted in formal charges.

  • The Pennsylvania State Police maintains the Commonwealth's central repository for criminal history record information. Requests for criminal history information may be submitted through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system.

Requestors should note that fees may apply for copies of records pursuant to the fee schedule established under 65 P.S. § 67.1307. The current fee for standard black and white copies is $0.25 per page.

Contents of a Yeadon Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Yeadon Police Department typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. In accordance with Pennsylvania law enforcement standards, these records generally include:

  • Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, any known aliases, date of birth, address, and physical description

  • Date, time, and specific location of the arrest

  • Statutory citations and descriptions of all criminal charges filed against the individual

  • Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)

  • Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")

  • Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process

  • Preliminary hearing date and bail information, if applicable

  • Case disposition information, if available

  • Property inventory of items in the arrestee's possession at the time of arrest

It should be noted that pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121, certain information contained within arrest records may be subject to restricted access depending on the status and outcome of the case. For example, cases resulting in acquittals or those that have been expunged by court order will not be available through standard public records requests.

Legal Framework for Arrest Record Access in Pennsylvania

The accessibility of arrest records in Yeadon is governed by a comprehensive legal framework established at both the state and federal levels. The Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA), codified at 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 9101-9183, serves as the primary statutory authority regulating the collection, maintenance, dissemination, and use of criminal history record information within the Commonwealth.

Under CHRIA, arrest records are classified as "criminal history record information" and are subject to specific regulations regarding their dissemination. Section 9121 of the Act establishes that criminal history record information maintained by criminal justice agencies shall be available for inspection by the public in accordance with established procedures.

The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law further reinforces public access to arrest records by establishing a presumption of openness for all government records. However, this access is not unlimited. Several important exceptions apply:

  • Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.708(b)(16)

  • Information that would reveal the identity of confidential sources or witnesses may be redacted under 65 P.S. § 67.708(b)(17)

  • Records that would deprive a person of the right to a fair trial may be withheld under 65 P.S. § 67.708(b)(19)

  • Records containing information that would endanger the physical security of a building, infrastructure, or information storage system may be exempt under 65 P.S. § 67.708(b)(3)

Law enforcement agencies in Yeadon must balance these competing interests when responding to requests for arrest records, ensuring transparency while protecting legitimate privacy and security concerns.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Yeadon

Pennsylvania law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, individuals may petition for the expungement of criminal history record information under the following conditions:

  • When no disposition has been received by the central repository within 18 months after the date of arrest, and no proceedings are pending seeking a conviction or acquittal

  • When an individual has been found not guilty of all charges

  • When an individual has been convicted of a summary offense and has been free of arrest or prosecution for five years following the conviction

  • When an individual reaches 70 years of age and has been free of arrest or prosecution for ten years following final release from confinement or supervision

  • When an individual has been dead for three years

Additionally, the Clean Slate Act of 2018 (Act 56) established an automated process for sealing certain criminal records after specific time periods have elapsed. Under this legislation, eligible misdemeanor convictions may be automatically sealed after 10 years if the individual has remained free from conviction for a new offense punishable by imprisonment of one or more years.

To initiate the expungement process in Yeadon, individuals must file a petition with the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. The petition must include specific information about the charges sought to be expunged, the disposition of those charges, and the reasons expungement is sought. The District Attorney's Office has the right to object to the petition, in which case a hearing will be scheduled.

Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court will issue an order directing all criminal justice agencies to remove the specified records from public access. However, expunged records may still be retained by law enforcement agencies for limited purposes, including the evaluation of subsequent offenses and sentencing decisions.

Search Arrest Records in Yeadon

Yeadon Police Department
600 Church Lane, 1st Floor
Yeadon, PA 19050
(610) 623-1500
Official Website