Palmyra Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Palmyra, Pennsylvania?
Arrest records are public documents in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, accessible to all members of the public under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This legislation establishes the framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests and criminal proceedings. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania maintains this transparency to ensure accountability within the criminal justice system and to uphold the public's right to information.
Pursuant to Pennsylvania law, most arrest records are considered public information unless specifically exempted by statute. Exemptions may apply to records related to ongoing investigations, juvenile cases, or instances where disclosure would compromise public safety. The Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas maintains jurisdiction over criminal cases in Palmyra and serves as a repository for associated records.
Citizens should note that while arrest records are public, they document only the fact that an arrest occurred and not a determination of guilt. Under Pennsylvania law and the U.S. Constitution, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
How to Look Up Palmyra Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Palmyra, Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth has implemented both traditional and digital methods to facilitate public access to these documents. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize any of the following authorized methods:
Palmyra Borough Police Department 325 S. Railroad Street Palmyra, PA 17078 Phone: (717) 838-8189 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM The Palmyra Borough Police Department maintains records of arrests conducted within municipal boundaries. Requestors must complete a standard Right to Know request form and may be required to present identification. Processing times typically range from 5-10 business days in accordance with § 67.901 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.
Lebanon County Clerk of Courts Lebanon County Courthouse 400 S. 8th Street, Room 104 Lebanon, PA 17042 Phone: (717) 228-4434 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM The Clerk of Courts maintains official court records for criminal cases in Lebanon County, including those originating in Palmyra. Records requests require completion of an official request form and payment of applicable fees as established by the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository 1800 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg, PA 17110 Phone: (717) 783-5494 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM The State Police maintain a comprehensive database of arrest records throughout the Commonwealth. Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121, individuals may request criminal history information through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system for a statutory fee of $22 per request.
Online Access Options The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal provides electronic access to court docket information, including criminal cases. This resource is available 24 hours per day and allows for searches by name, case number, or filing date. Users should note that while docket information is available online, complete case files may require in-person requests.
Contents of a Palmyra Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Palmyra contain standardized information as prescribed by Pennsylvania law and administrative regulations. These documents serve as the official record of an arrest event and typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases, date of birth, current address, and physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); agency conducting the arrest; and the legal authority under which the arrest was executed.
Criminal Charges: Complete listing of all charges filed, including the Pennsylvania Crimes Code section numbers, grade of offense (summary, misdemeanor, or felony), and brief description of the alleged criminal conduct.
Booking Information: Fingerprint records, mugshot photographs taken from front and profile views, and unique identifiers such as Offense Tracking Number (OTN) and State Identification Number (SID).
Procedural Documentation: Record of Miranda rights advisement, preliminary arraignment details, bail determination, and initial court appearance scheduling.
Property Inventory: Itemized list of personal property in the arrestee's possession at the time of booking, including currency, valuables, and other items.
Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121, these records are maintained in both physical and electronic formats, with retention schedules determined by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in accordance with the Commonwealth's records management program.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Palmyra
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides statutory mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Palmyra and throughout Lebanon County. Expungement, governed by 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Palmyra include:
- Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdict)
- Arrests with no conviction where charges were withdrawn or nolle prossed
- 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 application by personal representative)
The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal documentation with the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas. Standard procedures include:
- Filing a Petition for Expungement with the Clerk of Courts
- Payment of filing fees (currently $167.00 as of 2025)
- Service of the petition on the District Attorney's Office
- Attendance at a scheduled hearing before a Common Pleas judge
- Issuance of an Expungement Order if approved by the court
Upon court approval, expungement orders are distributed to all agencies maintaining the relevant records, including the Palmyra Borough Police Department, Lebanon County Prison, Pennsylvania State Police, and the FBI. These agencies must comply with the court order within 30 days by removing the specified records from public databases and sealing physical documents.
Individuals should note that certain records, particularly those related to sexual offenses, violent crimes, and offenses involving minors, may be subject to restrictions on expungement eligibility under Pennsylvania law.
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