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Merion Station Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Merion Station, Pennsylvania?

Arrest records are public in Merion Station, 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, sealed by court order, or protected by 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 within their communities.

Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information as specified under § 67.708 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law. The accessibility of these records serves the dual purpose of maintaining governmental accountability while providing citizens with information about law enforcement activities in Merion Station.

How to Look Up Merion Station Arrest Records in 2025

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records in Merion Station. These methods have been established to facilitate public access while maintaining appropriate security protocols for sensitive information:

Montgomery County Court Records System: The county maintains electronic docket information through their Court Records E-Filing system which allows for searches of criminal cases filed within the county jurisdiction.
Lower Merion Police Department Records Division:
71 E. Lancaster Avenue
Ardmore, PA 19003
(610) 649-1000
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Individuals may submit requests in person for official copies of arrest records, incident reports, and related documentation.
Montgomery County Clerk of Courts:
Montgomery County Courthouse
2 East Airy Street
Norristown, PA 19404
(610) 278-3346
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
The office maintains comprehensive court records, including those pertaining to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings.
Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal: The Commonwealth's centralized court system provides access to criminal docket information through their online portal, which includes cases originating in Merion Station.
Magisterial District Courts: These local courts handle preliminary arraignments and maintain records of initial proceedings following arrests in Merion Station.

Requestors should note that fees may apply for copies of records pursuant to the fee schedule established under § 67.1307 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law. Additionally, processing times may vary depending on the volume of requests and complexity of the search parameters.

Contents of a Merion Station Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Merion Station typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Pennsylvania law enforcement protocols. These records generally include the following components:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical description
Arresting agency and identification of the arresting officer(s)
Enumeration of criminal charges filed, with reference to applicable Pennsylvania statutes
Case or docket number assigned by the judicial system
Preliminary hearing information and bail determination
Booking photographs ("mugshots") taken during processing
Fingerprint records and other biometric identifiers
Incident report detailing the circumstances leading to the arrest
Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
Detention facility information if the individual was remanded to custody

The Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.) governs the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of these records. Pursuant to this legislation, certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, particularly when related to ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or when disclosure might compromise public safety.

Legal Framework for Arrest Record Access in Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has established a comprehensive legal framework governing the accessibility of arrest records in Merion Station and throughout the state. This framework balances the public's right to information with privacy considerations and law enforcement needs:

Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.): This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest records, are public unless specifically exempted. The law delineates procedures for requesting records and outlines the timeframes within which agencies must respond.
Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.): This legislation specifically addresses criminal history information, including arrest records, and establishes protocols for their collection, maintenance, and dissemination.
Clean Slate Law (Act 56 of 2018): Effective as of June 28, 2019, this legislation provides for the automatic sealing of certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions after 10 years without subsequent offenses. The law also addresses the sealing of records for cases resulting in non-convictions.
First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Local Rules: These rules establish specific procedures for accessing court records within Montgomery County, which encompasses Merion Station.

Agencies maintaining arrest records in Merion Station are required to comply with these statutes and may be subject to penalties for non-compliance. The Office of Open Records serves as the administrative agency overseeing implementation of the Right to Know Law and adjudicating disputes regarding record access.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Merion Station

Under Pennsylvania law, individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Merion Station under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process through which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. The following conditions typically qualify for expungement consideration:

Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdict)
Arrests that did not lead to formal charges
Cases dismissed by the court or withdrawn by the prosecution
Summary offenses after five years of arrest-free behavior
Successful completion of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) programs
Individuals over 70 years of age who have been arrest-free for at least 10 years
Deceased individuals (upon petition by appropriate parties)

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas located at:

Montgomery County Courthouse
2 East Airy Street
Norristown, PA 19404
(610) 278-3346

Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 790, the petition must include specific information including the petitioner's name, date of birth, Social Security number, arrest date, charges, and disposition of the case. The District Attorney's Office has 30 days to file an objection to the petition. If no objection is filed, or if the court rules in favor of the petitioner following a hearing, an expungement order will be issued.

Upon issuance of an expungement order, all relevant agencies including the Lower Merion Police Department, Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, and the Pennsylvania State Police are required to remove the specified records from public access. The process typically takes 6-12 months to complete from the date of filing the petition.