Lackawanna County Criminal Records
What Is Lackawanna County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Lackawanna County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA), specifically under § 9102, which defines criminal history record information as "information collected by criminal justice agencies concerning individuals, and arising from the initiation of a criminal proceeding."
Criminal records in Lackawanna County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, including the Lackawanna County Sheriff's Office and local police departments
- Court Records: Case files maintained by the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas detailing charges, proceedings, and dispositions
- Correctional Records: Information regarding incarceration in the Lackawanna County Prison
- Criminal History Reports: Comprehensive summaries of an individual's criminal background
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document instances where individuals were taken into custody but do not necessarily indicate guilt. Conviction records, conversely, confirm that legal proceedings resulted in a finding of guilt, either through trial verdict or plea agreement.
Pennsylvania law classifies criminal offenses as either felonies or misdemeanors, with felonies representing more serious crimes carrying potential state prison sentences exceeding one year. Misdemeanors involve less severe offenses with maximum penalties of up to one year in county jail.
Adult criminal records in Lackawanna County are generally accessible to the public, while juvenile records are subject to stricter confidentiality protections under § 6308 of the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act, which mandates that juvenile records remain sealed except under specific circumstances.
The primary agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Lackawanna County include:
Lackawanna County Sheriff's Office
Lackawanna County Courthouse
200 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6719
Lackawanna County Sheriff's Office
Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas
Lackawanna County Courthouse
200 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6702
Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas
Clerk of Judicial Records - Criminal Division
Lackawanna County Courthouse
200 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6702
Clerk of Judicial Records
Are Criminal Records Public In Lackawanna County
Criminal records in Lackawanna County are generally considered public information under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (Act 3 of 2008, § 67.101) and the Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA). The Pennsylvania Constitution and statutory framework establish a presumption of openness for government records, including criminal justice information, with certain defined exceptions.
According to § 9121 of CHRIA, court administrators and clerks of courts shall permit the public to inspect and copy criminal history record information maintained in court dockets, indices, and judgment rolls. This statutory provision ensures transparency in the criminal justice system while balancing privacy concerns.
The following categories of criminal records are typically accessible to the public:
- Court dockets and case files for adult criminal proceedings
- Criminal court calendars and hearing schedules
- Final judgments and sentencing orders
- Arrest records and police blotters
- Inmate custody status and basic booking information
However, Pennsylvania law restricts access to certain categories of criminal records:
- Sealed or expunged records pursuant to § 9122 of CHRIA
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions) as protected under § 6308 of the Juvenile Act
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations as exempted under § 708(b)(16) of the Right-to-Know Law
- Information that would impair a person's right to a fair trial
- Records containing information that would jeopardize public safety
- Documents containing confidential informant identities
The Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas adheres to the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania's policy on public access to court records, which implements these statutory provisions while establishing consistent procedures for record requests.
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Lackawanna County should be aware that while the presumption favors disclosure, certain procedural requirements and limitations apply. The county maintains both physical and electronic repositories of criminal records, with varying access protocols for each format.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Lackawanna County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Lackawanna County may utilize several established methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each with specific procedures and limitations.
For in-person requests at the courthouse:
- Visit the Clerk of Judicial Records - Criminal Division located at the Lackawanna County Courthouse, 200 North Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503
- Complete the official records request form, specifying the case number or individual's name and date of birth
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable search and copying fees (currently $20.00 for record checks and $0.25 per page for copies)
- Allow staff to process the request, which typically takes 1-3 business days for standard searches
For mail-in requests:
- Download and complete the Criminal Record Request Form from the county website
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Enclose a money order or certified check for the appropriate fee amount
- Mail the completed package to:
Clerk of Judicial Records - Criminal Division
Lackawanna County Courthouse
200 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6702
Clerk of Judicial Records
For comprehensive criminal history information:
- Submit a request to the Pennsylvania State Police through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system
- Provide the required identifying information and payment
- Receive results electronically or by mail, depending on the request method
For court case information:
- Access the Unified Judicial System Web Portal
- Select "Lackawanna County" from the jurisdiction dropdown
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, etc.)
- Review publicly available case information
Requestors should note that certain records may require court orders for access, particularly those involving sealed cases, juvenile matters, or expunged records. Additionally, pursuant to § 9121(b) of CHRIA, criminal history record information disseminated to non-criminal justice agencies is limited to conviction data and arrests pending prosecution.
How To Find Criminal Records in Lackawanna County Online?
Lackawanna County provides several digital platforms for accessing criminal records electronically. These online resources offer varying levels of detail and cover different aspects of the criminal justice process.
The primary online portal for court records is the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal, which includes several searchable databases:
-
Common Pleas Court Case Management System (CPCMS): This database contains criminal case information from the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas, including:
- Case status and docket numbers
- Charges filed and disposition information
- Scheduled court dates
- Case participants (judges, attorneys)
- Court fee assessments
Users may search by participant name, case number, or filing date. Registration is not required for basic searches, though certain advanced features may require user accounts.
-
Magisterial District Judge System (MDJS): This portal provides access to:
- Criminal cases at the district court level
- Traffic citations
- Non-traffic citations
- Preliminary hearings information
Search functionality includes name-based queries and case number lookups.
-
Pennsylvania Judiciary's Public Court Records Search: This unified search tool allows simultaneous queries across multiple court systems, streamlining the research process.
Additional online resources include:
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Lackawanna County Inmate Lookup: The Lackawanna County Prison maintains a searchable database of current inmates, providing custody status, booking information, and scheduled release dates.
-
Pennsylvania Megan's Law Website: The Pennsylvania State Police Sex Offender Registry allows searches for registered sex offenders residing in Lackawanna County.
-
Pennsylvania ePay System: This portal enables users to view and pay court-ordered financial obligations, including fines, costs, and restitution associated with criminal cases.
When utilizing these online systems, users should be aware of certain limitations:
- Some case details may be redacted pursuant to Pennsylvania's Case Records Public Access Policy
- Older cases (generally pre-2000) may have limited online information
- Sealed or expunged records will not appear in public searches
- Juvenile cases are not publicly accessible online
- Documents requiring in-person verification (e.g., certified copies) cannot be obtained electronically
For records not available online, requestors must utilize the in-person or mail-in processes outlined by the Clerk of Judicial Records.
Can You Search Lackawanna County Criminal Records for Free?
Pennsylvania law establishes the public's right to inspect certain criminal records without charge, while permitting reasonable fees for copies and certified documents. Pursuant to § 9122(c) of the Criminal History Record Information Act, "Court administrators and clerks of courts shall permit the public to inspect during ordinary business hours such criminal history record information as is contained in court dockets, indices and judgment rolls."
Lackawanna County provides several no-cost options for accessing criminal record information:
Free In-Person Access:
Members of the public may visit the following locations to inspect criminal records without charge:
Lackawanna County Courthouse - Criminal Division
200 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6702
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas
Lackawanna County Law Library
Lackawanna County Courthouse
200 North Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6714
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Lackawanna County Law Library
While inspection is free, standard fees apply for photocopies ($0.25 per page) and certified copies ($10.00 per document).
Free Online Resources:
Several digital platforms offer free access to criminal record information:
-
Unified Judicial System Web Portal: The Pennsylvania Courts' Public Web Docket Sheets provides free access to basic case information for Lackawanna County criminal cases.
-
Lackawanna County Inmate Lookup: The county maintains a free searchable database of current inmates at the Lackawanna County Prison.
-
Pennsylvania Megan's Law Website: The Pennsylvania State Police Sex Offender Registry offers free searches for registered sex offenders in Lackawanna County.
-
Pennsylvania Court Calendar: The Lackawanna County Court Calendar is available online at no cost, showing scheduled criminal proceedings.
It should be noted that while basic record searches are available without charge, comprehensive criminal history reports from the Pennsylvania State Police through the PATCH system require payment of a statutory fee (currently $22 per request). Additionally, third-party background check services that aggregate criminal record information typically charge subscription or per-search fees.
What's Included in a Lackawanna County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Lackawanna County contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information as prescribed by Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act § 9102.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, distinguishing features)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking number and processing details
- Initial charges filed by law enforcement
- Bail amount and conditions
- Detention facility information
- Preliminary arraignment details
Court Case Information:
- Docket number and case identifiers
- Court of jurisdiction (Magisterial District Court or Court of Common Pleas)
- Filing date and procedural timeline
- Formal charges filed by the District Attorney
- Statutory citations and offense grading (felony/misdemeanor classification)
- Plea information
- Defense attorney and prosecutor identification
- Pre-trial motions and rulings
- Trial information (if applicable)
Disposition and Sentencing:
- Final verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details, including:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation/parole conditions and duration
- Fines, costs, and restitution ordered
- Treatment programs or special conditions
- Community service requirements
- Post-sentence motions
- Appeal information
Additional Information:
- Active warrants or bench orders
- Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Probation/parole violations
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
The comprehensiveness of criminal records varies based on case complexity and age. Records created after the implementation of electronic case management systems (approximately 2000) typically contain more detailed information than older paper records that have been digitized.
Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Public Access Policy, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly accessible versions of criminal records, including Social Security numbers, financial account information, minors' names, and victim identification in certain cases.
How Long Does Lackawanna County Keep Criminal Records?
Lackawanna County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). These retention periods are governed by Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509, which establishes standards for record preservation and disposition.
The retention periods for various criminal record documents are as follows:
Court Case Files:
- Felony cases resulting in conviction: Permanent retention
- Felony cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal: 7 years after final disposition
- Misdemeanor cases resulting in conviction: 25 years after final disposition
- Misdemeanor cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal: 3 years after final disposition
- Summary offense cases: 3 years after final disposition
Docket Books and Indices:
- Criminal docket books: Permanent retention
- Criminal indices: Permanent retention
- Judgment rolls: Permanent retention
Supporting Documents:
- Arrest warrants (executed): Retained with case file
- Search warrants: Sealed for 6 months, then retained with case file if related to filed charges
- Grand jury materials: Sealed pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 229
- Bail records: Retained with case file
- Pre-sentence investigation reports: Confidential; retained with case file
- Probation/parole records: 7 years after supervision termination
Electronic Records:
- Case Management System data: Permanent retention
- Digital evidence and recordings: Varies by content type; minimum 7 years for felonies
It is important to note that while physical records may be destroyed after their retention period expires, information about criminal cases is often maintained indefinitely in electronic databases. Additionally, the Pennsylvania State Police maintain a central repository of criminal history record information that preserves data beyond local county retention schedules.
Records that have been expunged pursuant to court order under § 9122 of the Criminal History Record Information Act are removed from public access and physically destroyed or electronically archived with highly restricted access. Similarly, records that have been sealed under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law (Act 56 of 2018) remain in existence but are shielded from public view.
The Lackawanna County Archives preserves historical criminal court records that exceed their required retention periods but possess historical or research value.
Lookup Criminal Records in Lackawanna County
Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas
Pennsylvania Courts Clerk of Courts Directory
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services County Assistance Offices