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  2. Lehigh County Arrest Records

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Arrest Records

In Lehigh County, an arrest occurs when a law enforcement officer takes an individual into custody with the intent to file criminal charges or after a charge is filed. An arrest record is a document that contains the identification details of a person's apprehension by law enforcement. The arresting agency primarily creates arrest records. They serve public interest by enhancing public safety and ensuring that the activities of law enforcement agencies within the county are transparent. They also ensure that criminal histories can be verified. 

In Pennsylvania, arrest records are generally considered public records under the Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) when they appear in police blotters or court dockets. However, the Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA) (18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91) serves as the primary, separate statute that governs the maintenance and release of detailed criminal history data and limits access to certain records. County or city police departments, such as the Allentown Police Department and the Bethlehem Police Department, may also maintain these arrest records.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Lehigh, Pennsylvania?

Yes. Arrest records in Lehigh County are generally public information. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq., Government records are presumed to be public and available upon request. Any member of the public may request them, as there is no residency requirement. Requests are typically made to the police department, the sheriff, or via RTKL request forms. Individuals are not generally required to provide an ID unless it is needed to process or deliver records. However, some agencies may charge fees for copies or certification. 

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Lehigh County typically contain the following information

  • The arrestee’s first and last name
  • The arrestee’s date of birth and other basic descriptions like height, eye color, hair color, weight, etc
  • The booking information and case number
  • The time, date, and location of the arrest
  • The arresting agency and officer
  • Charges filed
  • Custody status of the arrestee
  • Mugshot and fingerprints

However, some information may be redacted or withheld to protect privacy or to comply with statutory limits. They include juvenile records, the identities of witnesses or vulnerable individuals, sensitive personal details like social security numbers, sealed or expunged cases by court order, and any records tied to an ongoing investigation.

Lehigh County,  Pennsylvania Arrest Search

Interested persons who wish to locate Lehigh County arrest records may utilize several general pathways. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) Portal provides the general public with access to court dockets for criminal cases, including arrests leading to charges. To search by name, click on “Case Search” and choose Lehigh County and “participant name” from the drop-down options. Fill in the first and last name of the offender and click on search. One may also look up Lehigh County inmates through the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator. To search by name, input the offender’s first and last name and choose Lehigh County from the drop-down options. Click on search.

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) provides criminal history background check services, which also include arrest records, to members of the public. To search, use the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) online portal. This is the primary state repository under the Criminal History Record Information Act. Record seekers are required to pay a non-refundable $22 fee to complete the search.

Furthermore, for federal resources, individuals may request an Identity History Summary/Rap Sheet from the FBI. Requests may be made online, via mail, or through an FBI-approved channeler. Federal arrest records may also be obtained through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER), which is maintained by the US Federal Courts, and registered users may search for federal criminal cases linked with arrests.

Lehigh County Inmate Locator

To obtain information regarding inmates in Lehigh County Jail, interested persons may contact the jail in person or via phone at (610) 782-3270 or (610) 782-3263, as there is no dedicated online county jail roster. The Lehigh County Sheriff's Office provides the general public with arrest records through Right to Know Requests.  Requests may be submitted to the Lehigh County Government Center for records maintained by the Sheriff. For further inquiries, visit the Sheriff's Office at 

Lehigh County Sheriff's Office 

Courthouse, Room 253

455 West Hamilton Street

Allentown, PA 18101

Phone: (610) 882-3175

Active Warrant Search in Lehigh County

Under 234 Pa. Code § 509, an arrest warrant is a written judicial order, based on probable cause,  permitting a law enforcement agent to take an individual into custody for a suspected crime. An arrest warrant is written and issued by a Magisterial District Judge or a Court of Common Pleas Judge when a law enforcement officer provides evidence that establishes probable cause that an individual has committed a crime. An arrest warrant in Lehigh County typically contains the following information

  • The name or the description of the individual to be arrested
  • The criminal charge or alleged offense
  • The date of issuance 
  • The signature of the issuing judge

Members of the public seeking arrest warrant information may contact the Lehigh County Sheriff’s Office via phone or in person. This agency is primarily responsible for executing and maintaining arrest warrant information. Interested persons may look up individuals with active warrants via the CRIMEWATCH pages, where local police departments list wanted individuals and active warrants. Individuals may also visit the courthouse to speak with the Clerk of Judicial Records or the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System’s online docket portal for related case information.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Lehigh County

Individuals interested in looking up arrest records for free may utilize public tools like the  Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) Portal to search for case dockets tied to arrests. Interested persons may also contact the Lehigh County Courthouse in person to view criminal case files directly for free during working hours. Furthermore, the local police departments or the Sheriff’s Office may post limited warrant or booking information online, which may be viewed at no cost.

However, it is important to note that free search tools may not include records of older arrests. Furthermore, information generated from these online searches may only be for informational purposes. Also, searchers may need to have some basic data to assist with the searches. Redacted information may not be obtainable on free sites.

Lehigh County Arrest Report

An arrest record and an arrest report may be related, but they are essentially distinct from each other. An arrest record is a structured data-entry summary in law enforcement databases or the criminal justice system. It typically includes identifying details, charges, booking date, and case status. On the other hand, an arrest report is a detailed narrative document created by a law enforcement officer, explaining the circumstances of the arrest, actions taken, evidence collected, and victim or witness statements. It documents the officer’s investigation and may be the foundational document for prosecutors to file charges.

Arrest reports in Lehigh County are generally not open to the public like arrest records. Detailed investigative reports typically require special access or may be obtained through a Right-to-Know Request.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Lehigh County

Expungement is a process where an individual obtains a legal order that removes arrest or criminal conviction information from an individual’s criminal record. An expungement can be for an arrest, or for individual charges from an arrest. Lehigh County, under the Pennsylvania Clean Slate Law, offers both expungement and sealing for criminal records. Arrest records are  generally available online. However, primarily only arrests that did not lead to a conviction are eligible for an expungement. 

Anyone who wishes to expunge an arrest record may begin by downloading, filling out, and submitting Form SP 4-170 along with a $20 order. Next, the individual may request their full criminal history record from the Pennsylvania State Police, complete the expungement petition with the Lehigh County Clerk of Courts, pay the filing fees, and attend hearings. If an expungement is granted, the court order must then be served to all relevant law enforcement agencies, and all records of the arrest will be removed.

How Do You Remove Lehigh County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Individuals who desire to remove their Lehigh County arrest records from the internet must first begin by obtaining an expungement, sealing, or automatic clearance under Pennsylvania law. If the court approves the expungement, an order is issued to law enforcement agencies and the clerk to remove the arrest record. 

This may include updating databases in the county or at the state level, so the information can no longer be seen on official public search tools. Compliance with the expunction order is required for any references that remain on government websites. You may consult a lawyer to make sure the order is properly served and followed. The removal of official records helps reduce online visibility from primary sources. You may also send a copy of the order to independent websites to facilitate the removal of those records from public view.