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Franklin County, Pennsylvania Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Franklin County, Pennsylvania?

Arrest records are public in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute, regulation, or court order. The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law promotes governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities and arrests within their communities. Members of the public may request these records from the appropriate county agencies, subject to applicable processing fees and identification requirements as established by local ordinance.

The Franklin County Clerk of Courts maintains official court records related to criminal cases, including arrest information. These records document the judicial process from initial arrest through final disposition.

Franklin County Clerk of Courts
14 North Main Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
717-261-3805
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Franklin County?

Franklin County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides electronic access to court docket information through the Pennsylvania Courts Web Portal. This system allows users to search for criminal cases by name, docket number, or other identifiers. The online availability of these records facilitates public access without requiring in-person visits to government offices.

Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 113.1, certain case information is made available electronically, though some sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with privacy regulations. Electronic access is subject to the technological limitations of the systems and may not include all historical records, particularly those predating digital conversion efforts.

The Franklin County Courts maintain additional online resources for accessing case information specific to proceedings within the county jurisdiction.

How to Look Up Franklin County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Franklin County arrest records:

  • Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal: The UJS Portal provides searchable access to criminal docket sheets. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers to locate arrest information and case status.

  • Franklin County Sheriff's Office: 157 Lincoln Way East
    Chambersburg, PA 17201
    717-261-3877
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
    The Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests executed by their department and can provide certified copies upon proper request.

  • Local Police Departments: Municipal police agencies within Franklin County maintain arrest records for their jurisdictions. Requests must be submitted to the specific department that conducted the arrest.

  • Franklin County Courthouse Records Division:
    2 North Main Street
    Chambersburg, PA 17201
    717-261-3848
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
    The Records Division maintains comprehensive criminal case files including arrest documentation.

  • Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository:
    1800 Elmerton Avenue
    Harrisburg, PA 17110
    717-783-5494
    The State Police maintain the central criminal history database for Pennsylvania, which includes arrest records from all jurisdictions within the Commonwealth.

Requestors must complete the appropriate forms and may be required to pay processing fees in accordance with 42 Pa.C.S. § 1725. Fees vary based on the type of record requested and the requesting agency. Certified copies typically incur higher fees than informational copies.

Contents of a Franklin County Arrest Record

Franklin County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Pennsylvania law. These official documents typically include:

  • Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, address, physical description, and identifying numbers (e.g., State ID, FBI number if applicable)

  • Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer; statutory authority for arrest

  • Criminal Charges: Complete list of offenses charged, including Pennsylvania Crimes Code citations (Title 18) and grading (summary, misdemeanor, or felony)

  • Booking Information: Fingerprints, photographs, property inventory, and processing details

  • Preliminary Arraignment Data: Preliminary bail determination, date of preliminary hearing, and magistrate information

  • Case Disposition: Court docket number, plea information, trial outcome, sentencing details, and post-conviction status

Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121, criminal history record information maintained by the Franklin County Jail and other criminal justice agencies must be complete and accurate. Individuals have the right to review their own criminal history information and may challenge inaccuracies through established administrative procedures.

Franklin County Jail
1804 Opportunity Avenue
Chambersburg, PA 17201
717-264-9513
Hours: Administrative Office - Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Expungement of Arrest Records in Franklin County

Pennsylvania law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, individuals may petition for expungement when:

  • The individual was not convicted of the offense charged
  • The arrest resulted in no disposition and three years have elapsed
  • The individual has reached 70 years of age and has been free from arrest for ten years
  • The individual has been dead for three years
  • The conviction was for certain summary offenses and five years have elapsed without subsequent arrest
  • The individual has received a pardon from the Governor

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Court of Common Pleas in Franklin County. The petition must include specific information as required by Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 790, including the petitioner's name, date of birth, Social Security number, addresses, and details of the charges sought to be expunged.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing and provide notice to the District Attorney's Office, which has the right to object to the expungement. If granted, the court will issue an Order for Expungement directing all criminal justice agencies to remove the specified records from public access.

Effective December 26, 2018, Pennsylvania enacted the Clean Slate Law (Act 56 of 2018), which provides for automatic sealing of certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions after ten years without subsequent offenses. This automated process supplements the petition-based expungement system but does not replace it for cases requiring judicial review.

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