> >Emmaus Arrest Records

Emmaus Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Emmaus, Pennsylvania?

Arrest records are public documents in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, pursuant to 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 made within borough limits. The Borough of Emmaus Police Department recognizes certain information as public record and makes such information available to citizens upon proper request.

The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law operates under the presumption that government records are public unless:

They fall under one of the exemptions outlined in Section 708 of the law
They are protected by privilege
They are made confidential by another state or federal law or regulation
They are protected by judicial order

The Emmaus Police Department maintains compliance with this legislation through established protocols for record requests and dissemination. Citizens seeking arrest information may submit formal requests through designated channels, with the department's Open Records Officer serving as the primary point of contact for such inquiries.

How to Look Up Emmaus Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Emmaus as of 2025. Members of the public may utilize any of the following methods to obtain this information:

Submit a formal Right to Know request through the Borough's established process
Review weekly press releases published by the Emmaus Police Department containing information about adult and juvenile arrests
Visit the Emmaus Police Department in person during regular business hours
Access the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal for court records related to arrests
Contact the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas for arrest records that have proceeded to court

Emmaus Police Department
400 Jubilee Street
Emmaus, PA 18049
Phone: (610) 967-3113
Official Website

Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas
455 West Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: (610) 782-3000
Official Website

Requestors should note that processing times may vary depending on the volume of requests and the complexity of the search required. Standard processing typically takes 5-10 business days, though extensions may apply in certain circumstances as permitted under § 902 of the Right to Know Law.

Contents of an Emmaus Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Emmaus Police Department contain standardized information as required by Pennsylvania law and departmental policy. These records typically include:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Criminal charges filed, with reference to specific violations of the Borough Code of Ordinances or Pennsylvania statutes
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records
Incident report number
Preliminary hearing date and location
Bail information, if applicable

The level of detail contained in publicly accessible versions of these records may be limited by applicable privacy laws and exemptions under the Right to Know Law. Certain sensitive information, such as the identities of juvenile offenders, sexual assault victims, or confidential informants, may be redacted prior to release.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Emmaus, several important legal restrictions govern their accessibility. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has established the following limitations:

Juvenile records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under 42 Pa.C.S. § 6308, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses
Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under § 708(b)(16) of the Right to Know Law
Information that would impair a person's right to a fair trial may be withheld
Records sealed by court order following expungement proceedings are not accessible to the public
Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information must be redacted prior to release

The Emmaus Police Department's Open Records Officer reviews all requests to ensure compliance with these restrictions. Denials of access may be appealed to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days of the denial notice.

Fees for Obtaining Arrest Records in Emmaus

The Borough of Emmaus assesses reasonable fees for the reproduction of arrest records in accordance with § 1307 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law. Current fee schedules for 2025 are as follows:

Standard black and white photocopies: $0.25 per page
Certified copies of records: $5.00 per record plus copying fees
Specialized documents (photographs, non-standard sized documents): Actual cost of reproduction
Electronic records delivered via email: No charge for delivery (copying fees may apply)
Records requiring redaction: Additional labor costs may apply at rates established by the Office of Open Records

Payment must be made in advance by check or money order payable to "Borough of Emmaus." The Borough does not accept cash payments for record requests. Fee waivers may be granted at the discretion of the Open Records Officer when the request is made in the public interest.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Emmaus

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

The individual was not convicted of the offense for which they were arrested
The individual has been free from arrest or prosecution for five years following conviction for a summary offense
The individual has reached 70 years of age and has been free from arrest for ten years
The individual has received a pardon from the Governor
The individual was convicted of certain non-violent misdemeanors and has completed all terms of the sentence

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas. Upon approval, the court will order all criminal justice agencies to remove records of the arrest from public access. The Emmaus Police Department complies with such orders by sealing the relevant records and removing them from public databases.

Legal representation is strongly advised for individuals seeking expungement, as the process involves complex legal requirements and procedural rules. The Lehigh County Bar Association maintains a referral service for qualified attorneys specializing in expungement matters.

Clean Slate Law and Limited Access to Arrest Records

Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law (Act 56 of 2018) provides for automatic sealing of certain criminal records, including some arrest records in Emmaus. Under this legislation:

Non-violent misdemeanor convictions are automatically sealed after 10 years if the individual has remained free from arrest
Cases resulting in non-conviction dispositions are automatically sealed
Summary offense convictions are automatically sealed after 10 years

Records sealed under the Clean Slate Law remain accessible to law enforcement agencies but are not visible to the general public or in most background checks. The automated sealing process is administered by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Police.

The Clean Slate Law represents a significant policy shift toward reducing collateral consequences of minor criminal records while maintaining public safety. Individuals with questions about whether their records qualify for automatic sealing may contact the Lehigh County Public Defender's Office for guidance.