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Somerset Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Somerset, Pennsylvania?

Arrest records are public documents in Somerset, 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, court order, or 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.

The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law specifically addresses criminal records in Section 67.708(b)(16), which outlines certain exemptions for records relating to criminal investigations. However, basic arrest information, including the name of the arrested individual, charges filed, and the arresting agency, remains accessible to the public. This transparency serves the dual purpose of maintaining public safety awareness and ensuring accountability within the criminal justice system.

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with state law.

How to Look Up Somerset Arrest Records in 2025

Somerset County provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information should be aware of the following official resources:

Somerset County Clerk of Courts Office
Somerset County Courthouse
111 East Union Street, Suite 100
Somerset, PA 15501
Phone: (814) 445-1661
Somerset County Clerk of Courts
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Somerset Borough Police Department
340 West Union Street
Somerset, PA 15501
Phone: (814) 445-4596
Hours of Operation: Administrative Office open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Somerset County Sheriff's Office
Somerset County Courthouse
111 East Union Street
Somerset, PA 15501
Phone: (814) 445-1500
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Individuals may also access certain arrest record information through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's electronic portal. The Pennsylvania Courts Case Search system allows users to search for criminal cases by name, case number, or other identifiers. This resource provides docket information for cases that have been filed with the courts.

For comprehensive criminal history information, the Pennsylvania State Police maintains the central repository through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. Requests through this system require payment of a statutory fee as established under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9153.

Contents of a Somerset Arrest Record

Somerset County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Pennsylvania law and local protocols. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific criminal charges filed, with reference to applicable Pennsylvania statutes
Case or docket number assigned by the court
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency (e.g., Somerset Borough Police, Pennsylvania State Police)
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint classification information
Preliminary hearing date, if scheduled
Bail amount and conditions, if applicable

Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121, these records are maintained in accordance with the Criminal History Record Information Act. The completeness of information available to the public may vary based on the status of the case and applicable exemptions under Pennsylvania law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Somerset

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122. In Somerset County, individuals may petition for expungement if they meet statutory eligibility requirements.

Expungement eligibility in Somerset County generally applies to the following situations:

Arrests that did not result in conviction
Summary offense convictions after five years of arrest-free behavior
Certain misdemeanor convictions for individuals over 70 years of age who have been arrest-free for ten years
Cases resolved through Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) or other diversionary programs
Juvenile adjudications, subject to specific statutory requirements
Cases where a pardon has been granted by the Governor of Pennsylvania

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Somerset County Court of Common Pleas. Petitioners must submit the following:

Petition for Expungement (form available from the Clerk of Courts)
Certified copies of disposition documents
Criminal record check from the Pennsylvania State Police
Filing fee (currently $132.00, subject to change)

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the Court schedules a hearing date. The District Attorney's Office receives notification and may contest the expungement request. If granted, the Court issues an Order of Expungement directing all relevant agencies to remove the specified records from public access.

Individuals should note that expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes as permitted under Pennsylvania law. Additionally, federal agencies may maintain separate records that are not affected by state-level expungement orders.

Legal Implications of Arrest Records in Somerset

Arrest records in Somerset County carry significant legal implications for affected individuals. These records, even without subsequent conviction, may impact various aspects of a person's life pursuant to Pennsylvania and federal regulations.

Under Pennsylvania law, employers may consider arrest records in hiring decisions with certain limitations. The Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9125) restricts employers from considering arrests that did not result in conviction when making employment decisions. However, certain regulated industries, including healthcare, education, and financial services, maintain broader access to arrest information due to public safety considerations.

Housing applications may be affected by arrest records, particularly for federally subsidized housing programs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development permits housing authorities to consider arrest records when evaluating applicants, though guidance issued in 2016 discourages denial based solely on arrest without conviction.

Professional licensing boards in Pennsylvania, including those governing legal, medical, and educational professions, typically require disclosure of arrest records regardless of disposition. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs maintains specific guidelines for each regulated profession regarding the impact of criminal records on licensure.

Individuals with arrest records may face restrictions on firearm ownership under both Pennsylvania law (18 Pa.C.S. § 6105) and federal regulations. These restrictions vary based on the nature of charges and case disposition.

Somerset County residents should be aware that the mere existence of an arrest record, even without conviction, may require disclosure in various legal contexts and may appear in background checks conducted by private entities.