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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania?

Arrest records are public documents in Jefferson 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 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania maintains this policy to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to uphold the public's right to information regarding law enforcement activities.

Members of the public may access arrest records through designated county offices and online portals. The Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas maintains these records in accordance with state regulations governing public access to criminal case information. Under Pennsylvania law, certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as outlined in 65 P.S. § 67.708.

Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas
200 Main Street
Brookville, PA 15825
Phone: (814) 849-1620
Jefferson County Courts Website

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Jefferson County?

Jefferson County arrest records are accessible through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides a centralized case search portal where members of the public may search for criminal cases by name, case number, or other identifiers. This system contains docket information for cases processed through the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas.

The Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) also maintains electronic records of arrests, though access to this system is restricted to authorized criminal justice professionals. For public access, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office provides limited arrest information through their departmental website, including recent booking information and outstanding warrants.

Online access to these records is governed by the Electronic Case Record Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, which establishes uniform standards for electronic case record access while balancing privacy concerns with the public's right to information.

How to Look Up Jefferson County Arrest Records in 2025

Jefferson County provides multiple methods for obtaining arrest records, each with specific procedures and requirements:

  • In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours to submit a request for arrest records. Requestors must complete a standard form and provide proper identification. Processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and departmental workload.

  • Online Access: The Unified Judicial System Portal provides 24-hour access to case information, including criminal dockets that contain arrest details. Users can search by name, case number, or other identifiers to locate relevant records.

  • Written Requests: Members of the public may submit written requests for arrest records to the Jefferson County Clerk of Courts. These requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and the approximate date of arrest. Pursuant to the Right to Know Law, agencies must respond to requests within five business days.

  • Inmate Locator: For individuals currently in custody, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator provides confirmation of incarceration status and location, which can serve as verification of an arrest.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
200 Main Street, Suite 101
Brookville, PA 15825
Phone: (814) 849-1610
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Jefferson County Clerk of Courts
200 Main Street, Suite 202
Brookville, PA 15825
Phone: (814) 849-1600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Contents of a Jefferson County Arrest Record

Jefferson County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Pennsylvania law and local protocols. These records typically include:

  • Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors including height, weight, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars.

  • Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; the arresting agency; names and badge numbers of arresting officers; and the legal authority under which the arrest was made.

  • Criminal Charges: Complete listing of all charges filed, including the Pennsylvania Crimes Code citations (Title 18) and degree of each offense (summary, misdemeanor, or felony).

  • Booking Information: Fingerprints, mugshot photographs, and unique identifiers assigned during processing, including the Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) number and any local booking numbers.

  • Case Disposition: Current status of the case, including bail information, preliminary hearing dates, and court docket numbers once assigned.

  • Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions may be included if relevant to the current case, though detailed criminal history information may require separate requests through the Pennsylvania State Police.

Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121, certain information in arrest records may be restricted from public view, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Jefferson County

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records in Jefferson County under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. This process is governed by 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 and related statutes.

Individuals may petition for expungement in the following situations:

  • Cases resulting in non-conviction, including acquittals, dismissals, nolle prosequi, or withdrawn charges
  • Summary offense convictions after five years of arrest-free behavior
  • Certain misdemeanor convictions after ten years without subsequent arrests
  • Arrests of individuals over 70 years of age who have been free from arrest for ten years
  • Deceased individuals (petition may be filed by personal representative)

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas. This petition must include specific information about the case, certified copies of dispositions, and fingerprint cards. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing where the District Attorney's Office may contest the expungement request.

If granted, an expungement order directs all criminal justice agencies to remove records from public access. However, a limited administrative record may be retained by law enforcement agencies for internal use only, as permitted under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(c).

Jefferson County District Attorney's Office
200 Main Street, Suite 308
Brookville, PA 15825
Phone: (814) 849-1628
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Public Access Limitations for Jefferson County Arrest Records

While arrest records in Jefferson County are generally public, Pennsylvania law establishes several important exceptions and limitations to protect privacy interests and the integrity of the criminal justice system. Under 65 P.S. § 67.708, certain information is exempt from public disclosure, including:

  • Information that may jeopardize public safety or ongoing investigations
  • Juvenile records, except in limited circumstances as provided in 42 Pa.C.S. § 6308
  • Records related to victims of sexual or domestic violence
  • Medical, psychiatric, or psychological information
  • Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers
  • Information that would reveal the identity of confidential informants

Additionally, the Clean Slate Law (Act 56 of 2018) provides for automatic sealing of certain criminal records after specified time periods have elapsed. Records eligible for Clean Slate sealing include non-conviction records, summary offenses, and certain misdemeanors after 10 years without subsequent convictions.

The Jefferson County Court Administrator's Office oversees compliance with these access limitations and can provide guidance on specific record accessibility questions.

Jefferson County Court Administrator
200 Main Street, Suite 205
Brookville, PA 15825
Phone: (814) 849-1632
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Search Arrest Records in Jefferson County