Lackawanna County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Lackawanna County
Arrest records in Lackawanna County are considered public information under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This statute establishes the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by law, court order, or privilege. Pursuant to this legislation, members of the public may access arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies within Lackawanna County.
It is important to distinguish between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement based on probable cause that they committed a crime. A conviction record, by contrast, indicates that the individual was found guilty of the offense in a court of law. Under Pennsylvania law, both types of records are generally accessible to the public, though certain exceptions apply.
The Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.) governs the collection, maintenance, dissemination, and use of criminal history record information in Pennsylvania. This act establishes guidelines for how arrest records may be accessed and used, including by employers, licensing agencies, and the general public.
Certain arrest records may be subject to limited access or sealing under specific circumstances as provided by Pennsylvania law, particularly in cases involving juvenile offenders, expunged records, or records subject to court-ordered sealing.
What's in Lackawanna County Arrest Records
Lackawanna County arrest records contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name (including aliases or known nicknames)
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Home address
- Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, etc.)
- Fingerprints
- Photograph (mugshot)
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Reason for arrest
- Use of force information (if applicable)
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statute/code violations
- Charge classification (misdemeanor, felony)
- Charge severity level
- Description of alleged criminal activity
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing authority
- Date issued
- Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)
Booking Information:
- Booking date and time
- Booking facility
- Booking number/case number
- Processing officer information
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bail amount
- Bond type
- Bond conditions
- Payment status
- Release eligibility
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Scheduled court appearances
- Case/docket number
- Assigned judge
- Preliminary hearing details
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility of incarceration (if applicable)
- Release date (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status (if applicable)
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior criminal history
- Known associates
- Vehicle information
- Property seized during arrest
- Victim information (often redacted in public records)
- Witness statements (often redacted in public records)
- Officer narrative of the incident
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Lackawanna County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Lackawanna County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for record retrieval, depending on the specific information needed and its age.
To request arrest records in person, individuals may visit:
Lackawanna County Sheriff's Office
Lackawanna County Courthouse
200 N. Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 963-6719
Lackawanna County Sheriff's Office
Lackawanna County Prison
1371 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18509
Phone: (570) 963-6639
Lackawanna County Prison
When requesting arrest records, individuals should:
- Complete a public records request form, available at the agency office or downloadable from the county website
- Provide specific information about the record being sought (name of arrestee, date of arrest, case number if known)
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees (fees vary based on record type and number of pages)
- Allow processing time as specified by the agency (typically 5-10 business days)
For written requests, individuals may submit a completed Right-to-Know request form to:
Lackawanna County Right-to-Know Officer
123 Wyoming Avenue, 5th Floor
Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 963-6800
Lackawanna County Administration
Pursuant to Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, agencies must respond to requests within five business days, though extensions may apply for complex requests.
How To Find Lackawanna County Arrest Records Online
Lackawanna County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records online. These electronic systems offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests.
The primary online resources for Lackawanna County arrest records include:
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Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal: The UJS Portal provides access to court docket sheets, which include information about criminal cases resulting from arrests. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers.
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Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator: For individuals who have been sentenced to state custody following arrest and conviction, the Inmate Locator system provides current custody information.
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Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records: The county maintains an online docket search for court cases, which includes criminal proceedings stemming from arrests.
To conduct an online search:
- Navigate to the appropriate website
- Create a user account if required (some systems allow guest access)
- Enter search criteria (name, date of birth, case number)
- Review search results for relevant records
- Pay any applicable fees for detailed record access
- Download or print available documents
Users should note that online systems may not contain complete arrest information, particularly for recent arrests that have not yet been processed through the court system or for older records that have not been digitized.
How To Search Lackawanna County Arrest Records for Free?
Lackawanna County residents and other interested parties may access certain arrest record information without payment through several free resources.
Free access options include:
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Public Access Terminal Use: The Lackawanna County Courthouse provides public access terminals where individuals may search court records, including criminal cases, at no charge. These terminals are available during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM).
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Unified Judicial System Public Portal: The Pennsylvania Courts Public Records portal offers free access to basic case information, though fees may apply for detailed documents.
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Lackawanna County Prison Inmate Lookup: The county maintains a free inmate lookup service that provides current custody status for individuals held in county facilities.
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Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator: This free service allows searches for individuals in state custody.
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Local Law Enforcement Websites: Some police departments within Lackawanna County post recent arrest information on their websites or social media pages.
When using free resources, searchers should be aware of limitations:
- Information may be less comprehensive than paid record searches
- Recent arrests may not appear immediately in free databases
- Historical records may not be available through free resources
- Some free systems may limit the number of searches per day
- Printed copies of documents typically incur fees even when viewing is free
How To Delete Arrest Records in Lackawanna County
Under Pennsylvania law, individuals may petition for the expungement (legal erasure) or sealing (restricting public access) of arrest records under specific circumstances. These processes are governed by 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 and 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1.
Expungement completely removes the record from public view and official databases. Eligibility for expungement in Lackawanna County typically includes:
- Arrests that did not lead to charges
- Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdict)
- Summary offenses after five years of arrest-free behavior
- Certain non-violent misdemeanors after 10 years arrest-free (limited circumstances)
- Juvenile records (specific conditions apply)
- Individuals over 70 who have been arrest-free for 10 years
- Deceased individuals (family members may petition)
Record Sealing (Limited Access) restricts public access while maintaining the record for law enforcement use. Under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law, eligibility typically includes:
- Certain misdemeanor convictions after 10 years without new convictions
- Cases resolved without conviction
- Summary offense convictions after 10 years
- Some second and third-degree misdemeanors
To petition for expungement or sealing in Lackawanna County:
- Obtain a criminal history record from the Pennsylvania State Police
- Complete the appropriate petition form (available from the Clerk of Courts)
- File the petition with the Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records
- Pay the required filing fee (approximately $100-$250)
- Attend any scheduled court hearings
- If granted, ensure the order is distributed to all relevant agencies
Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records
Lackawanna County Courthouse
200 N. Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 963-6702
Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records
What Happens After Arrest in Lackawanna County?
Following an arrest in Lackawanna County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Pennsylvania law and local court rules.
The typical post-arrest sequence includes:
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Booking Process: The arrestee is transported to a local police station or the Lackawanna County Prison for processing, which includes fingerprinting, photographing, personal information collection, and initial criminal history check.
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Preliminary Arraignment: Within 72 hours of arrest (typically much sooner), the arrestee appears before a Magisterial District Judge who:
- Informs the individual of charges
- Reviews constitutional rights
- Determines bail conditions
- Schedules a preliminary hearing
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Preliminary Hearing: Held within 3-10 days of arraignment (unless waived), this hearing determines if sufficient evidence exists to proceed with the case. The prosecution must establish a prima facie case that a crime was committed and the defendant was likely involved.
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Formal Arraignment: If the case proceeds past the preliminary hearing, a formal arraignment occurs in the Court of Common Pleas where:
- Charges are officially presented
- Defendant enters an initial plea
- Discovery process begins
- Pre-trial conference is scheduled
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Pre-trial Proceedings: May include:
- Motion hearings
- Plea negotiations
- Diversionary program applications
- Evidence suppression hearings
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Trial or Plea: Cases resolve through:
- Guilty plea agreement
- Trial by judge (bench trial)
- Trial by jury
- Dismissal of charges
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Sentencing: If convicted, sentencing follows based on:
- Pennsylvania Sentencing Guidelines
- Pre-sentence investigation report
- Victim impact statements
- Defendant's criminal history
- Mitigating/aggravating factors
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Post-Conviction: May include:
- Incarceration
- Probation
- Appeal process
- Rehabilitation programs
Throughout this process, defendants have the right to legal representation. Those unable to afford an attorney may request representation from:
Lackawanna County Public Defender's Office
Lackawanna County Administration Building
123 Wyoming Avenue, 4th Floor
Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 963-6049
Lackawanna County Public Defender
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Lackawanna County?
Arrest records in Lackawanna County are maintained according to Pennsylvania's Municipal Records Manual and the Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.).
Under current retention schedules, arrest records are typically maintained as follows:
- Active Criminal Investigation Records: Maintained indefinitely while the investigation remains active
- Closed Criminal Investigation Records: Minimum 25-year retention period
- Arrest Reports and Booking Information: Minimum 75-year retention period
- Criminal History Information: Permanent retention
- Fingerprint Records: Permanent retention
- Mugshot Photographs: Minimum 75-year retention period
- Incident Reports: Minimum 25-year retention period
Different agencies within Lackawanna County may maintain separate records with varying retention periods:
- Law Enforcement Agencies: Maintain original arrest records, typically for the longest retention periods
- County Prison: Maintains booking and incarceration records
- Court System: Maintains case records related to prosecutions
- District Attorney's Office: Maintains prosecution records
Records retention serves several critical purposes:
- Preserves evidence for potential future legal proceedings
- Maintains documentation for background checks and security clearances
- Ensures accountability of law enforcement agencies
- Provides historical documentation of criminal justice activities
- Supports statistical analysis of crime patterns and trends
Records may be maintained in physical form, electronic databases, or both, depending on the age of the record and the maintaining agency's technological capabilities.
How to Find Mugshots in Lackawanna County
Mugshot photographs, officially known as booking photographs, are images taken during the arrest booking process that document the appearance of an individual at the time of arrest.
What Mugshots Are
Mugshots typically include:
- Front-facing (portrait) photograph
- Profile (side-view) photograph
- Identification information (name, booking number, date)
- Height measurement markers in background
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
In Lackawanna County, mugshots are primarily maintained by:
Lackawanna County Prison
1371 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18509
Phone: (570) 963-6639
Lackawanna County Prison
Lackawanna County Sheriff's Office
Lackawanna County Courthouse
200 N. Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 963-6719
Lackawanna County Sheriff's Office
Local police departments within Lackawanna County also maintain mugshots for individuals they arrest.
Finding Mugshots
To obtain official mugshots, individuals may:
- Submit a Right-to-Know request to the arresting agency or county prison
- Provide the full name and date of birth of the subject
- Include approximate date of arrest if known
- Pay applicable fees (typically $5-15 per photograph)
- Allow processing time (5-10 business days)
Can Mugshots Be Found Online
While some mugshots may appear online, Lackawanna County does not maintain an official public-facing mugshot database. Mugshots may appear online through:
- Media websites reporting on arrests
- Third-party mugshot websites (not officially affiliated with government agencies)
- Court case documents that include booking photos
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
For official purposes (legal proceedings, background checks), mugshots should be obtained directly from the maintaining agency through formal channels to ensure authenticity and completeness.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Access to mugshots may be restricted in cases involving:
- Juvenile arrestees
- Expunged or sealed records
- Active investigations
- Records subject to court-ordered protection
- Cases where release would compromise public safety
Lookup Arrest Records in Lackawanna County
Pennsylvania inmate locator system
Pennsylvania court case search portal
Pennsylvania public court records