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Pocono Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Pocono, Pennsylvania?

Arrest records are public documents in Pocono, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This statute establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public. The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law operates under the presumption that all records in possession of Commonwealth and local agencies are public unless specifically exempted by statute, regulation, judicial order, or decree. This framework promotes governmental transparency and accountability by enabling citizens to access information regarding law enforcement activities within Pocono Township and surrounding areas.

The Monroe County Court of Common Pleas maintains jurisdiction over criminal cases in the Pocono region and facilitates public access to these records in accordance with state law. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal identifying information as specified under § 67.708 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.

How to Look Up Pocono Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in Pocono, Pennsylvania have multiple methods available for accessing this information. The Pocono Township Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records and provides several channels through which these documents may be obtained:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Pocono Township Police Department headquarters during regular business hours. Requestors should be prepared to complete a standard records request form and provide identification.
Written requests may be submitted via U.S. mail to the records division. All written requests must include the requestor's contact information and specific details about the records being sought.
Electronic requests may be submitted through the Open Records portal maintained by Pocono Township. This system allows for efficient processing of records requests in accordance with the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.
The Monroe County Court system maintains a searchable database of court records, including criminal cases resulting from arrests in the Pocono region.

Pocono Township Police Department
112 Township Drive
Tannersville, PA 18372
Phone: (570) 629-7200
Official Website

Monroe County Prothonotary's Office
Monroe County Courthouse
610 Monroe Street, Suite 200
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Phone: (570) 517-3370
Official Website

Pursuant to § 67.901 of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, agencies must respond to records requests within five business days, though extensions may apply in certain circumstances.

Contents of a Pocono Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Pocono Township typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Pennsylvania law enforcement protocols. These documents serve as official records of interactions between individuals and law enforcement resulting in arrest. Standard arrest records in Pocono contain the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases or alternative identities
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of the alleged criminal offense(s), including applicable Pennsylvania Criminal Code citations
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Biometric data including fingerprints collected during the booking process
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Case disposition information, if available
Bail or bond information, including amounts and conditions
Court docket numbers for associated criminal proceedings

The Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.) governs the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history record information, including arrest records. This statute establishes protocols for ensuring accuracy and appropriate access to these records while maintaining necessary security measures.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Pocono

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122. Expungement refers to the legal process through which arrest records and related documentation are removed from public access and law enforcement databases. In Pocono Township, individuals seeking expungement must petition the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Pocono include:

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
Certain non-violent misdemeanor offenses after specified waiting periods
Juvenile records, subject to specific statutory requirements
Cases resolved through Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) or other diversion programs

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

File a formal Petition for Expungement with the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas
Pay applicable filing fees (currently $267.00 as of 2025)
Attend a scheduled hearing before a judge, if required
Provide documentation of eligibility for expungement

Upon judicial approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to remove the specified records from public access. The Pennsylvania State Police, Monroe County District Attorney's Office, and Pocono Township Police Department must comply with such orders within 30 days of receipt.

Monroe County Court of Common Pleas
Monroe County Courthouse
610 Monroe Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Phone: (570) 517-3009
Official Website

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Pocono, Pennsylvania law establishes certain restrictions on access to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations. The Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.) and the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.) contain provisions limiting access under specific circumstances.

Restricted information may include:

Records pertaining to juvenile offenders, except in limited circumstances
Information that would compromise an active criminal investigation
Records sealed by court order or expunged pursuant to statutory authority
Information that would disclose the identity of confidential informants
Intelligence information and investigative materials
Personal identifying information including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information

Law enforcement agencies in Pocono Township must balance the public's right to access information with these statutory protections. The Pocono Township Code of Ordinances further establishes local protocols for records management in accordance with state law.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Arrest records maintained by Pocono Township authorities may be utilized for background check purposes subject to restrictions established by federal and state law. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) and Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act govern the use of arrest information for employment, housing, and other screening purposes.

Employers, landlords, and other entities conducting background checks in Pocono Township should be aware of the following legal parameters:

Arrest records that did not result in conviction generally cannot be used as the sole basis for adverse employment decisions
Pennsylvania law prohibits employers from inquiring about arrests that did not lead to conviction
Background checks conducted through third-party consumer reporting agencies require specific disclosures and authorizations
Public employers in Pennsylvania are restricted from considering certain criminal history information for non-sensitive positions
Private employers must demonstrate job-relatedness and business necessity when using criminal history information in hiring decisions

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission enforces state laws regarding the use of criminal history information in employment and housing contexts. Individuals who believe their rights have been violated may file complaints with this agency.

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
333 Market Street, 8th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126
Phone: (717) 787-4410
Official Website