Clinton County Public Records / Clinton County Arrest Records

Clinton County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Clinton County in 2026

ClintonPARecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to arrest records in Clinton County, Pennsylvania. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, court case numbers, and related criminal justice data. Available record categories include arrest logs, inmate rosters, court dockets, criminal history reports, and bail records. Information accessed through public sources may not reflect the most current case status or final disposition.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, the Court of Common Pleas, the Pennsylvania State Police, and online public access tools. The following sections detail each available method.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Clinton County Sheriff's Office maintains booking records and inmate information for individuals processed through the county jail. The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections operates the Inmate/Department Supervised Individual Locator, which includes individuals held at Clinton County Jail. Members of the public may search by name or inmate number to retrieve current custody status and institutional assignment. The roster is updated on a regular basis, though real-time accuracy is not guaranteed.

2. Local Police Departments

The Lock Haven City Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police Troop F (Lamar) serve as the primary law enforcement agencies operating within Clinton County. Press releases and public arrest logs may be issued through agency websites or local news outlets. Members of the public seeking arrest information from a specific municipal department may contact that agency directly to inquire about available public records.

Lock Haven City Police Department
21 E. Main Street
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Phone: (570) 748-8737
Lock Haven City Police Department

Pennsylvania State Police – Troop F, Lamar Station
40 Lamar Station Road
Lamar, PA 16848
Phone: (570) 726-6000
Pennsylvania State Police

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Arrest records in Clinton County are frequently linked to court cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Members of the public may access the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas case schedule to search for cases by party name. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania web docket search also permits searches of magisterial district court records statewide, including those originating in Clinton County. Searches may be conducted by defendant name, docket number, or date of filing.

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Pennsylvania State Police administers the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system, which provides statewide criminal history record information. PATCH includes arrest and disposition data submitted by law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania. As described in the overview of PATCH, the Bureau of Records and Identification disseminates criminal history data to criminal justice agencies, non-criminal justice agencies, and the general public. Members of the public may request a criminal history background check online through the PATCH portal. The current fee for a PATCH request is $22.00, payable by credit card through the online system.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Clinton County Sheriff's Office
230 East Water Street
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Phone: (570) 893-4070
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Clinton County Sheriff's Office

Members of the public visiting in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where available, the full legal name of the subject, date of arrest, and booking number. Copy fees are assessed per page in accordance with county policy.

Clerk of Court:

Clinton County Clerk of Courts
230 East Water Street, Courthouse
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Phone: (570) 893-4010
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Clinton County Court of Common Pleas

Criminal case files are available for inspection at the Clerk of Courts office. Copy fees are assessed at the standard rate established by the county. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee.

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Clinton County Sheriff's Office at 230 East Water Street, Lock Haven, PA 17745. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, booking number if known, and the requester's contact information. Payment for copies must accompany the written request. Processing time varies and may extend several business days depending on volume.

By Phone:

The Clinton County Sheriff's Office may be reached at (570) 893-4070 during regular business hours. Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available. Detailed record information is not released by telephone; callers may be directed to submit a written request or visit in person.

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may request arrest records and associated case files through formal discovery procedures. Subpoenas may be issued for records not otherwise available through public access channels. Records obtained through legal proceedings are subject to applicable court orders and protective orders.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Jurisdiction of arrest (city, township, or state police barracks)

Are Arrest Records Public in Clinton County

Arrest records in Clinton County are public records subject to disclosure under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101, which establishes the presumption that records of Commonwealth agencies and local agencies are accessible to the public. The PA Office of Open Records administers appeals and provides guidance on public access obligations. Arrest records are made available to promote government transparency, support public safety awareness, facilitate journalism and research, assist in background screening, and serve as evidence in legal proceedings.

As stated by the Office of Open Records, "the agency proved that some records do not exist in its possession, custody, or control," which illustrates that access is limited to records actually maintained by the agency and not subject to a statutory exemption.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Bond and bail information
Custody status
Basic demographic information (age, physical description)

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records (restricted or sealed under Pennsylvania law)
Expunged arrest records (removed from public access by court order)
Sealed records (subject to court-ordered confidentiality)
Active investigation information
Undercover officer identities
Confidential informant information
Victim identifying information in certain cases
Witness protection participants

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law reflects the constitutional principle that government records belong to the public. The First Amendment protects press access to arrest information as a matter of public concern. Due process considerations require that arrest records accurately reflect the current status of a case, including dismissals and acquittals.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

General public
Media organizations
Employers (subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act)
Landlords (subject to applicable restrictions)
Licensing agencies
Background check companies
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

Employers using arrest records for hiring decisions must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which governs the use of consumer reports including criminal history data. Pennsylvania does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though certain municipalities have enacted local ordinances. A critical distinction exists between an arrest and a conviction: an arrest does not establish guilt, and reliance on arrest records without conviction may expose employers and landlords to legal liability under applicable anti-discrimination statutes.

What's in Clinton County Arrest Records

Clinton County arrest records contain several categories of information compiled at the time of booking and updated as the case progresses through the criminal justice system.

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and race
Height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be limited in public release)

Arrest Details:

Arrest date and time
Location of arrest
Arresting agency and, in some cases, arresting officer name and badge number
Booking date, time, and booking number
Warrant information if applicable

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges and statute numbers violated
Charge classification (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence or gang-related designations where applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Intake timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints (collected but not included in public records)
Personal property inventory

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status
Bond amount and bond type (cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance, or no bond)
Release date and time if released
Release conditions if public

Court Information:

Court case number
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Judge assignment if available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest (police report)
Witness statements
Victim information
Evidence collected
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted)
Financial account information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain detailed incident narratives not included in booking records
Court records: Document legal proceedings following arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences, not merely arrests
Background checks: Aggregate data from multiple sources including court, law enforcement, and state repositories

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Clinton County?

The cost to obtain arrest records in Clinton County depends on the agency and the format of the requested records. Under 65 P.S. § 67.1307, Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law establishes the maximum fees that agencies may charge for public records.

Record Type	Fee
Standard paper copies	$0.25 per page
Certified copies (Clerk of Courts)	$5.00 per document + $0.25 per page
PATCH criminal history (online)	$22.00 per request
Electronic records (where available)	No charge in many cases
Record inspection (in-person)	No charge

Accepted payment methods vary by office. The Clerk of Courts accepts cash, money orders, and checks payable to Clinton County. The PATCH system accepts credit and debit cards for online requests. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or in cases where the requester is seeking their own records for purposes of expungement or employment.

Members of the public may inspect records in person at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested. Court docket information accessible through the Unified Judicial System's online portal is available at no cost.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Clinton County

Pennsylvania law provides two primary mechanisms for removing arrest records from public access: expungement, which results in the physical destruction or sealing of records, and limited access orders, which restrict who may view a record without destroying it. These remedies are governed by 18 Pa. C.S. § 9122, which sets forth the circumstances under which a person may petition for expungement.

Circumstances Under Which Expungement May Be Granted:

The individual was arrested but no charges were filed
All charges were dismissed or the individual was acquitted
The individual successfully completed an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program
The individual is 70 years of age or older and has been free of arrest or prosecution for ten years following the last conviction
The individual has been dead for three years
Summary offense convictions where the individual has been free of arrest or prosecution for five years following the conviction

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain a copy of the criminal history record from PATCH to confirm the charges and disposition
File a Petition for Expungement in the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas, Criminal Division
Serve the petition on the District Attorney's Office, which has the right to object
Attend the scheduled hearing if the District Attorney files an objection
If the court grants the petition, the order is forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Police, the arresting agency, and the Clerk of Courts for compliance
Confirm removal by requesting an updated PATCH report after the order is processed

Clinton County Court of Common Pleas – Criminal Division
230 East Water Street, Courthouse
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Phone: (570) 893-4010
Clinton County Court of Common Pleas

Clinton County District Attorney's Office
230 East Water Street, Courthouse
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Phone: (570) 893-4050
Clinton County District Attorney

Clinton County Public Defender's Office
230 East Water Street, Courthouse
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Phone: (570) 893-4016
Clinton County Public Defender

Individuals who are not eligible for expungement may petition for a limited access order under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law, which automatically seals certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions after ten years if the individual has remained free of conviction during that period. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public but remain available to law enforcement and certain licensing agencies.

What Happens After Arrest in Clinton County?

The post-arrest process in Clinton County follows the procedures established under Pennsylvania law and the rules of the Court of Common Pleas of the 25th Judicial District.

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following arrest, the individual is transported to the Clinton County Correctional Facility. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest and the arresting agency.

Clinton County Correctional Facility
58 Pine Mountain Road
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Phone: (570) 893-4070
Clinton County Correctional Facility

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the correctional facility, the booking process is initiated. This process includes recording personal information, photographing the individual, collecting fingerprints, conducting a criminal history and outstanding warrants check, inventorying personal property, performing a medical screening, and assigning housing. The booking process typically takes between one and four hours depending on facility volume.

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Pennsylvania law, an arrested individual must be brought before a magisterial district judge without unnecessary delay, and in no event later than 72 hours after arrest. At the initial appearance, the judge formally advises the individual of the charges, determines eligibility for appointed counsel, and sets bail. Hearings may be conducted via video conference.

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bail amount is paid in cash and is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees. The amount is set by the magisterial district judge based on a bail schedule and individual circumstances.

Surety Bond: A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bail amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, which is set by Pennsylvania law at ten percent of the bail amount.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The individual is released on a written promise to appear at all court dates. No monetary payment is required. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment, criminal history, and the nature of the charges.

No Bond: The individual is held without bail in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or out-of-state warrants.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bail is posted, the individual is processed for release, which typically takes between one and eight hours. Written conditions of release are provided, and the individual must appear at all subsequent court dates or risk bond forfeiture. If bail is not posted, the individual remains in custody pending further proceedings.

Charging Decision:

The Clinton County District Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. This review occurs within days to weeks of the arrest. For felony offenses, the Commonwealth may proceed by information or, in certain cases, by grand jury indictment.

Arraignment:

At arraignment, the formal charges are read, the defendant enters a plea, and court dates are scheduled. The majority of defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment regardless of the ultimate resolution of the case.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery, pretrial motions, pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. Cases may be resolved by dismissal, diversion program completion, plea agreement, or trial. Diversion programs available in Clinton County include Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD), drug court, and veterans court. Successful completion of ARD results in dismissal of charges and eligibility for expungement.

Sentencing (if convicted):

Upon conviction, the judge imposes a sentence that may include incarceration, probation, fines and costs, restitution, community service, or a combination of these. Credit is applied for time served in pretrial detention.

Timeline Overview:

Stage	Timeframe
Arrest to first appearance	Within 72 hours
First appearance to arraignment	Days to weeks
Arraignment to resolution (misdemeanor)	Weeks to several months
Arraignment to resolution (felony)	Several months to over one year

Rights Throughout Process:

Right to remain silent
Right to counsel
Right to a speedy trial
Right to confront witnesses
Right to present a defense
Right against self-incrimination
Right to appeal a conviction

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Clinton County?

Arrest record retention in Clinton County is governed by Pennsylvania's records retention statutes and the policies of each maintaining agency. Under Pennsylvania's Municipal Records Manual and applicable state law, retention periods vary based on the type of record and the disposition of the underlying case.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions: Maintained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Courts, Pennsylvania State Police repository, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC). These records are part of the individual's permanent criminal history.

Misdemeanor Convictions: Retained permanently by the state repository and court records. Local law enforcement retention may vary by department policy.

Dismissed Charges and Acquittals: Records may remain in local law enforcement databases and court records unless the individual obtains an expungement order. The Pennsylvania State Police repository retains arrest data regardless of disposition until a court order directs removal.

Charges Not Filed: Booking records are subject to shorter retention periods and may be eligible for expungement upon petition.

Retention by Agency:

Agency	Record Type	Retention Period
Clinton County Sheriff's Office	Booking records	Minimum 7 years; permanent for felonies
Clerk of Courts	Criminal case files	Permanent for felonies; varies for misdemeanors
Pennsylvania State Police (PATCH)	Criminal history	Permanent unless expunged by court order
FBI (NCIC/III)	Criminal history	Permanent; accessible to law enforcement nationwide

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Digital records maintained in records management systems and court electronic filing systems are retained on a permanent basis in most instances. Physical booking paperwork and fingerprint cards are retained according to the applicable records retention schedule. Mugshot photographs are retained as part of the booking record for the duration of the retention period.

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies and mugshot websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not subject to the same expungement obligations as government agencies. The FCRA requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain accurate records, but third-party websites operating outside the consumer reporting framework may not update records following expungement. Individuals who obtain an expungement order may need to contact third-party websites separately to request removal.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

A conviction results in permanent retention across all government databases. A dismissal or acquittal may remain in databases unless the individual petitions for expungement under 18 Pa. C.S. § 9122. Following a granted expungement, the Pennsylvania State Police updates the state repository, and the order is forwarded to all agencies named in the petition. The FBI database may retain a notation of the expungement while retaining the underlying record for law enforcement purposes.

Accessing Historical Arrest Records:

Recent arrest records are accessible online through the resources identified in this article. Older records that have not been digitized may require an in-person request at the Clerk of Courts or Sheriff's Office. Records subject to destruction under the applicable retention schedule may no longer be available. Requesters seeking historical records should contact the Clinton County Sheriff's Records Division at (570) 893-4070 to confirm availability prior to submitting a formal request.