Nanticoke Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania?
Arrest records are public documents in Nanticoke, 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 related to arrests and criminal proceedings. The law operates under the presumption that records in possession of state and local agencies are public unless specifically exempted by statute, regulation, judicial order, or decree.
Members of the public may access these records as part of their right to government transparency. The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law specifically designates criminal records as public information, with certain limitations regarding ongoing investigations or juvenile records. Law enforcement agencies in Nanticoke maintain these records in accordance with state regulations and make them available through established protocols.
The public nature of these records serves multiple purposes:
- Promotes accountability within the criminal justice system
- Enables citizens to monitor law enforcement activities
- Provides information for background checks and public safety concerns
- Supports journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice
Requesters should note that while arrest records are public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as outlined in § 67.708 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.
How to Look Up Nanticoke Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following resources:
Nanticoke City Police Department
15 East Ridge Street
Nanticoke, PA 18634
Phone: (570) 735-2200
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
City of Nanticoke Official Website
The police department maintains records of arrests within city limits and can process requests for these documents. Requesters must complete a standard Right to Know request form and may be required to pay reasonable fees for document reproduction.
Luzerne County Clerk of Courts
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Phone: (570) 825-1500
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Luzerne County Courts
The county clerk maintains court records, including those related to arrests processed through the Luzerne County judicial system. These records often contain more comprehensive information about case dispositions and court proceedings.
Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 783-5494
Pennsylvania State Police
The state repository maintains criminal history information and can provide certified records upon proper request. Fees apply for this service, and requesters must follow established protocols for access.
Online Access Options
The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides web-based access to court docket information through its portal. While not comprehensive for all arrest records, this system allows searches for court cases that resulted from arrests.
For comprehensive searches, requesters may need to utilize multiple resources, as no single database contains all arrest information for Nanticoke.
Contents of a Nanticoke Arrest Record
Standard arrest records in Nanticoke contain specific categories of information as mandated by Pennsylvania law enforcement protocols. These records typically include:
Subject identification information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Address at time of arrest
- State identification number and/or FBI number if applicable
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory citations for alleged offenses
- Incident report number
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint classification information
Case processing information:
- Preliminary arraignment details
- Bail determination and status
- Court docket number
- Scheduled court appearances
- Detention facility information if applicable
Charge information:
- Specific criminal charges filed
- Grading of offenses (summary, misdemeanor, felony)
- Statutory references for each charge
Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121, certain information may be restricted based on the disposition of the case or the elapsed time since the arrest occurred. Additionally, juvenile records are subject to different access protocols under Pennsylvania law and may not be publicly available through standard arrest record searches.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Nanticoke
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement procedures in Nanticoke follow state law as codified in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
- Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdict)
- Arrests with no conviction where charges were dismissed or withdrawn
- Summary offense convictions after five years of arrest-free behavior
- Certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions after ten years for individuals over 70 years of age
- Cases resolved through successful completion of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) programs
- Juvenile adjudications after specific waiting periods
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a petition with the Court of Common Pleas in Luzerne County
- Serve notice to the District Attorney's Office
- Attend a hearing if the District Attorney objects to the expungement
- Obtain a court order directing all relevant agencies to expunge records
Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Phone: (570) 825-1500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Luzerne County Courts
Limited access orders represent an alternative to expungement for certain misdemeanor convictions. Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1, eligible individuals may petition the court to limit public access to their criminal records while maintaining availability to law enforcement agencies.
Individuals seeking expungement may benefit from legal assistance, as the process involves specific procedural requirements and legal standards that must be met for successful petition approval.
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