Luzerne County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Luzerne County
Arrest records in Luzerne County are considered public information under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, specifically 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq. This statute establishes the presumption that government records are public unless specifically exempted by law, court order, or regulation. The Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA), 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq., further governs the collection, maintenance, dissemination, and use of criminal history record information.
It is important for members of the public to understand the distinction between arrest records and conviction records:
- Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement but do not indicate guilt
- Conviction records indicate that an individual was found guilty of a criminal offense through legal proceedings
Under current Pennsylvania law, both arrest and conviction records are generally accessible to the public, though certain restrictions may apply to juvenile records, expunged records, or sealed records. The Pennsylvania State Police maintain the central repository for criminal history information in the Commonwealth and provide access to this information in accordance with CHRIA provisions.
Luzerne County District Attorney's Office
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-825-1674
Luzerne County District Attorney
What's in Luzerne County Arrest Records
Arrest records maintained by Luzerne County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody. Pursuant to the requirements established in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102, these records generally 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
- Names and badge numbers of arresting officers
- Circumstances leading to arrest
- Whether force was used during arrest
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statute numbers of alleged violations
- Classification of charges (felony, misdemeanor, summary offense)
- Description of alleged criminal activity
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing authority
- Date of issuance
- Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)
Booking Information:
- Booking date and time
- Processing location
- Booking officer information
- Property inventory
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bail amount set
- Bail conditions
- Whether bail was posted
- Bail hearing details
Court Information:
- Preliminary arraignment details
- Assigned court
- Docket number
- Scheduled court appearances
Custody Status:
- Whether detained or released
- If detained, location of detention
- Release date (if applicable)
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior criminal history
- Probation/parole status at time of arrest
- Immigration status (if relevant)
- Vehicle information (if involved in the offense)
- Victim information (often redacted in public versions)
- Witness information (often redacted in public versions)
The specific content of arrest records may vary depending on the arresting agency and the nature of the alleged offense. Under the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act, certain information may be redacted or restricted from public access to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or sensitive information.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Luzerne County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Luzerne County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for accessing arrest record information:
- Contact the Luzerne County Sheriff's Office - The Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests made within their jurisdiction.
Luzerne County Sheriff's Office
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-825-1651
Luzerne County Sheriff
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Requesters must:
- Complete a Records Request Form
- Provide proper identification
- Specify the record being sought
- Pay applicable fees ($20 for record search, additional fees may apply for copies)
- Visit the Arresting Police Department - Local police departments maintain records of arrests they have conducted.
Wilkes-Barre City Police Department
15 North Washington Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
570-826-8106
Wilkes-Barre Police Department
Office Hours: Records Division open Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Submit a Right-to-Know Request - Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, citizens may submit formal requests for public records.
Luzerne County Right-to-Know Officer
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-825-1500
Luzerne County Right-to-Know
Requesters must:
- Submit the standard RTK request form
- Be specific about records being sought
- Allow up to 5 business days for a response (extensions may apply)
- Request Criminal History Information from Pennsylvania State Police - For comprehensive criminal history information.
Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-783-5494
Pennsylvania State Police
Requesters must:
- Complete form SP4-164 (Request for Criminal Record Check)
- Provide proper identification
- Pay the required fee ($22 per record check)
When requesting arrest records, individuals should be prepared to provide the following information:
- Full name of the person whose record is being sought
- Date of birth
- Approximate date of arrest (if known)
- Case or docket number (if known)
How To Find Luzerne County Arrest Records Online
Luzerne County residents and other interested parties may access arrest records through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The following digital resources are currently available for conducting arrest record searches:
- Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal - This official state court system website provides access to docket sheets and case information for criminal cases filed in Luzerne County.
To search for records:
- Visit the UJS Web Portal Case Search
- Select "Common Pleas Courts" or "Magisterial District Courts"
- Choose "Luzerne County" from the dropdown menu
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, etc.)
- Review search results and access available documents
- Pennsylvania State Police Public Information Release Reports - The PSP publishes Public Information Release Reports (PIRRs) that include information about recent arrests and incidents.
To access PIRRs:
- Visit the PSP website
- Navigate to the PIRR section
- Select Troop P (Wyoming), which covers Luzerne County
- Review available reports by date
- Luzerne County Sheriff's Office Website - The Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of active warrants.
To search for warrants:
- Visit the Luzerne County Sheriff's website
- Navigate to the "Warrants" section
- Enter search criteria
- Review results
- Luzerne County Correctional Facility Inmate Lookup - For individuals currently in custody.
To search for current inmates:
- Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator
- Enter the individual's name or inmate number
- Review custody status and location information
When conducting online searches for arrest records, users should be aware that:
- Not all arrest records are available online
- Some information may be redacted for privacy or security reasons
- Recent arrests may not appear immediately in online databases
- Historical records may require additional research methods
How To Search Luzerne County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public seeking no-cost access to Luzerne County arrest records have several options available under current Pennsylvania law. The following methods provide free access to arrest record information:
- Visit the Luzerne County Clerk of Courts Office in person - The public terminal at the courthouse provides free access to court records.
Luzerne County Clerk of Courts
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-825-1500
Luzerne County Clerk of Courts
Public Terminal Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Use the Unified Judicial System Web Portal - This official state resource provides free access to public records including criminal dockets.
To use this free resource:
- Visit the UJS Web Portal Case Search
- No account or payment is required for basic searches
- Search by name, case number, or other identifiers
- Access publicly available docket information at no charge
- Review Public Information Release Reports - The Pennsylvania State Police publish free incident reports that include arrest information.
To access these reports:
- Visit the PSP website's Public Information Release Reports section
- Select reports for Troop P (Wyoming), which covers Luzerne County
- Review chronological listings of police activity including arrests
- Visit Local Public Libraries - Many Luzerne County libraries offer free internet access to conduct online searches.
Osterhout Free Library
71 South Franklin Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
570-823-0156
Osterhout Free Library
Library Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM; Friday-Saturday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
When utilizing free resources to search for arrest records, requesters should note:
- While basic searches are free, printed copies may incur fees
- Some detailed information may require formal requests
- Free resources may not include complete arrest history
- Recent arrests may not be immediately available in free databases
How To Delete Arrest Records in Luzerne County
Under Pennsylvania law, individuals may petition for the expungement (legal erasure) or sealing (restricting public access) of arrest records under specific circumstances. The distinction between these two remedies is significant:
Expungement - Complete removal of records from public view and most government databases Sealing - Records remain in government databases but are hidden from public view
Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, expungement of arrest records may be granted in the following circumstances:
- Non-conviction cases - When charges were dismissed, withdrawn, or resulted in not guilty verdicts
- Summary offense convictions - After five years without arrest if all fines and costs are paid
- ARD completion - After successful completion of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program
- Juvenile records - Upon reaching age 18, if certain conditions are met
- Pardoned offenses - Following receipt of a Governor's pardon
Under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law (Act 56 of 2018), certain records may be automatically sealed after specific time periods without requiring a petition.
To request expungement or sealing in Luzerne County, individuals must:
- Obtain criminal history record - Request official RAP sheet from Pennsylvania State Police
- File petition with court - Submit expungement petition to Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas
- Pay filing fee - Current fee is approximately $132 (fee waivers available for indigent petitioners)
- Attend hearing - If scheduled by the court
- Await court order - If granted, order will be sent to relevant agencies
Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-825-1500
Luzerne County Courts
Legal representation is strongly recommended for expungement proceedings. Individuals with limited financial resources may qualify for assistance from:
North Penn Legal Services
33 North Main Street, Suite 200
Pittston, PA 18640
570-299-4100
North Penn Legal Services
What Happens After Arrest in Luzerne County?
Following an arrest in Luzerne County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. This process typically includes the following sequential steps:
-
Arrest and Booking
- Suspect is taken into custody by law enforcement
- Fingerprinting and photographing occurs
- Personal information is recorded
- Property is inventoried and secured
-
Preliminary Arraignment
- Occurs within 72 hours of arrest
- Conducted by Magisterial District Judge
- Charges are formally presented
- Constitutional rights are explained
- Bail determination is made
- Preliminary hearing date is set
-
Preliminary Hearing
- Typically scheduled within 3-10 days of arraignment
- Prosecution must establish prima facie case
- Defense may challenge evidence
- Judge determines if case proceeds to Court of Common Pleas
- May be waived by defendant
-
Formal Arraignment
- Occurs in Court of Common Pleas
- Criminal Information (formal charging document) is presented
- Defendant enters plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Pre-trial conference date is set
-
Pre-Trial Proceedings
- Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
- Pre-trial motions may be filed
- Plea negotiations may occur
- Diversionary programs may be considered (ARD, Drug Court, etc.)
-
Trial
- Jury selection (if jury trial requested)
- Opening statements
- Presentation of evidence
- Closing arguments
- Jury deliberation (or judge's decision in bench trials)
- Verdict rendered
-
Sentencing
- Typically occurs 60-90 days after conviction
- Pre-sentence investigation may be conducted
- Victim impact statements may be presented
- Judge imposes sentence based on guidelines and circumstances
-
Post-Conviction
- Right to appeal within 30 days
- Possible post-conviction relief petitions
- Probation/parole supervision if applicable
- Incarceration if sentenced to confinement
Throughout this process, defendants have constitutional rights including:
- Right to counsel (public defender available if financially qualified)
- Right to reasonable bail (except in certain serious cases)
- Right to speedy trial under Rule 600 of PA Rules of Criminal Procedure
- Right against self-incrimination
- Right to confront witnesses
Luzerne County Public Defender's Office
20 North Pennsylvania Avenue
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
570-825-1754
Luzerne County Public Defender
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Luzerne County?
Arrest records in Luzerne County are maintained according to retention schedules established by Pennsylvania law, specifically the County Records Manual issued by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission pursuant to 16 P.S. § 13001-13006. These retention requirements vary by record type and agency.
The standard retention periods for arrest-related records in Luzerne County are:
- Arrest Reports - Minimum 75 years from date of creation
- Criminal Complaint Forms - Permanent retention
- Booking Information - 75 years from date of creation
- Fingerprint Cards - 75 years from date of creation
- Mugshot Photographs - 75 years from date of creation
- Incident Reports - 20 years from date of creation
- Investigation Files - 25 years from case closure
- Court Dockets - Permanent retention
- Warrant Information - 3 years after execution or expiration
Different agencies maintain different retention requirements:
- Law Enforcement Agencies - Follow Municipal Police Records Retention Schedule
- Clerk of Courts - Follows County Records Manual Schedule
- District Attorney's Office - Follows County Records Manual Schedule
- Magisterial District Courts - Follows AOPC Records Retention Schedule
Records retention serves several critical purposes:
- Preserves evidence for potential future legal proceedings
- Maintains documentation for background checks and security clearances
- Ensures accountability of the criminal justice system
- Provides historical documentation of law enforcement activities
- Complies with statutory and regulatory requirements
It is important to note that even when physical records reach the end of their retention period, digital versions may be maintained indefinitely in various databases. Additionally, records that have been expunged or sealed pursuant to court order are removed from public access but may still be maintained for limited law enforcement purposes under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.
How to Find Mugshots in Luzerne County
Mugshot photographs, officially known as booking photographs, are created during the arrest booking process in Luzerne County. These images serve as official documentation of an individual's appearance at the time of arrest and become part of the arrest record.
What Mugshots Are
Mugshots typically consist of two images:
- Front-facing (frontal) photograph
- Profile (side-view) photograph
These photographs are taken alongside fingerprinting and other booking procedures to establish a visual record of the arrestee's identity.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
In Luzerne County, mugshots are primarily maintained by:
- The arresting police department
- Luzerne County Correctional Facility (for individuals who are detained)
- Pennsylvania State Police (in the central repository)
Finding Mugshots
To obtain official copies of mugshots, members of the public may:
-
Submit a Right-to-Know request to the arresting agency
- Complete the standard RTK request form
- Specify the mugshot being requested
- Provide identifying information (name, date of arrest)
- Submit to the appropriate agency's RTK Officer
-
Contact the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for inmates currently in custody
- Requests must be in writing
- Specific inmate information must be provided
- Purpose of request may be required
Can Mugshots Be Found Online
Under current Pennsylvania law, official government agencies in Luzerne County do not routinely publish mugshots online. However, mugshots may appear online through:
- Media outlets reporting on arrests
- Third-party websites that aggregate booking photos
- Court records that may include booking photos as exhibits
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
The most reliable method to obtain an official mugshot is through a formal records request to:
Luzerne County Records Center
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-825-1500
Luzerne County Records
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Access to mugshots may be restricted in certain circumstances:
- Juvenile arrestees (protected under 42 Pa.C.S. § 6308)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Active investigations where release could impair proceedings
- Privacy concerns that outweigh public interest in disclosure
Individuals seeking mugshots should be aware that while these images are generally considered public records, agencies may evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis to balance public access rights with privacy and law enforcement considerations.
Lookup Arrest Records in Luzerne County
Inmate/Department Supervised Individual Locator