Norristown Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Norristown, Pennsylvania?
Arrest records are public documents in Norristown, 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 other statutory provisions. 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 should be aware that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or juvenile information as specified under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121. Additionally, the accessibility of these records is subject to administrative procedures established by the respective agencies maintaining such records.
How to Look Up Norristown Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Norristown, Pennsylvania. The Montgomery County criminal justice system maintains several repositories of this information, each with specific protocols for public access:
- Montgomery County Sheriff's Office: Citizens may request arrest record information directly from the Sheriff's Office, which maintains records of arrests conducted by county deputies. Requests can be submitted in person during regular business hours.
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
Montgomery County Courthouse
2 East Airy Street
Norristown, PA 19404
Phone: 610-278-3331
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
- Norristown Police Department: For arrests made by municipal police, individuals may contact the Records Division of the Norristown Police Department. A formal request form must be completed and proper identification presented.
Norristown Police Department
235 East Airy Street
Norristown, PA 19401
Phone: 610-270-0977
- Montgomery County Clerk of Courts: This office maintains court records related to criminal cases, including information about arrests that led to formal charges. Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration, these records are available for public inspection.
Montgomery County Clerk of Courts
Montgomery County Courthouse
P.O. Box 311
Norristown, PA 19404-0311
Phone: 610-278-3346
- Online Court Docket Sheets: The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides electronic access to court docket information through the Criminal Case Information portal. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers to locate arrest-related court proceedings.
Requestors should note that fees may apply for copies of records, as authorized under 65 P.S. § 67.1307. Current fee schedules are available at each agency's public counter.
Contents of a Norristown Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Norristown contain specific categories of information as prescribed by Pennsylvania law and local administrative protocols. These records typically include:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged criminal violations
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Agency responsible for the arrest (e.g., Norristown Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office)
- Booking photographs ("mugshots") and fingerprint records
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Residential address as provided by the arrested individual
- Preliminary hearing information and bail determination
- Case disposition if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)
In accordance with 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to confidential informants or ongoing investigations. Additionally, arrest records involving juveniles are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements under the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act (42 Pa.C.S. § 6301 et seq.).
Expungement of Arrest Records in Norristown
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides legal mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Norristown and throughout Montgomery County. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed.
Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, expungement eligibility is determined by several factors:
- Cases resulting in non-conviction (acquittal, nolle prosequi, or dismissal)
- Summary offense convictions after five years of arrest-free behavior
- Certain misdemeanor convictions after ten years for individuals over age 70
- Successful completion of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) programs
- Pardons granted by the Governor of Pennsylvania
- Arrests of individuals under 18 years of age who have satisfied specific requirements
The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal documentation with the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. This procedure involves:
- Preparation and filing of a Petition for Expungement
- Payment of filing fees (currently $167.00 as of 2025)
- Service of the petition to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office
- Attendance at a scheduled expungement hearing if required
- Compliance with any court-ordered conditions
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas
Montgomery County Courthouse
2 East Airy Street
Norristown, PA 19404
Phone: 610-278-3000
Magisterial District Courts
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process typically takes 6-9 months from filing to completion. Upon successful expungement, notification is sent to all relevant criminal justice agencies directing them to remove the specified records from public access. However, certain law enforcement agencies may retain limited information for internal use only, as permitted under Pennsylvania law.
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