Cumberland County Public Records / Cumberland County Arrest Records

Cumberland County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Cumberland County in 2026

CumberlandCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Members of the public may find booking details, charge information, custody status, and related court case data through this resource. Record categories available through official and third-party channels include arrest logs, booking records, criminal court case filings, inmate rosters, and warrant information.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Courts, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online government portals.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office maintains booking records and inmate rosters for individuals processed through the Cumberland County Prison. The publicly accessible roster includes the arrestee's name, charges, booking date, and current custody status. Records are updated on a rolling basis as new bookings occur and releases are processed.

2. Local Police Departments

Several municipal police departments operate within Cumberland County, each maintaining their own arrest logs and press release systems.

Carlisle Borough Police Department issues public press releases detailing recent arrests, available through the Carlisle Borough website.
Mechanicsburg Police Department and Camp Hill Police Department maintain separate records divisions and may publish arrest summaries through their respective municipal portals.
Arrest information from state police activity within the county is available through the Pennsylvania State Police.

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

The Cumberland County Clerk of Courts maintains criminal case filings linked to arrests. Members of the public may search by defendant name through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal to locate court cases associated with a specific arrest. Case records include docket entries, charge information, and scheduled hearing dates.

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Pennsylvania State Police maintains the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system, which provides certified criminal history records. A standard request through PATCH carries a fee of $22.00 per record. The database includes arrests resulting in disposition statewide and is accessible to both individuals and authorized third parties.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6390
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and any known booking or case numbers. Copy fees apply per page.

Police Departments:

Carlisle Borough Police Department
245 N. Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 243-5252
Carlisle Borough Police

Mechanicsburg Police Department
36 W. Allen Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Phone: (717) 691-3310
Mechanicsburg Borough

Records requests at police departments require a written request form, valid identification, and payment of applicable copy fees.

Clerk of Court:

Cumberland County Clerk of Courts
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 200
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6195
Clerk of Courts

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Criminal case files are available for public inspection. Copy fees are assessed per page.

By Mail:

Written requests submitted by mail to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office should include the following:

Full legal name of the subject
Date of arrest, if known
Booking number, if known
Requestor's full name, mailing address, and contact information
Payment for applicable copy fees (check or money order payable to Cumberland County)

Processing time for mailed requests is two to four weeks depending on volume.

By Phone:

The Sheriff's Office records division may be reached at (717) 240-6390 during business hours. Phone inquiries provide limited information; callers are advised to have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available. Complex requests are referred to in-person or written channels.

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may request complete arrest files, police reports, and investigative materials through formal discovery in criminal proceedings. Subpoenas may be issued for records not otherwise available through public access channels.

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

Are Arrest Records Public in Cumberland County

Arrest records in Cumberland County are public records under Pennsylvania law. Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq., members of the public have the right to access records created or maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement booking records, unless a specific exemption applies.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Mugshot/booking photograph
Bond and bail information
Current custody status
Basic demographic information including age and physical description

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records are restricted or sealed under Pennsylvania law
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access following a court order
Sealed records are subject to court-ordered confidentiality
Active investigation information that would compromise an ongoing case
Identities of undercover officers and confidential informants
Victim identifying information in certain categories of cases
Information pertaining to witness protection participants

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

Pennsylvania's public records framework reflects a balance between government transparency and individual privacy. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution supports press and public access to government proceedings and records. Due process considerations inform the distinction between an arrest, which reflects probable cause, and a conviction, which reflects a finding of guilt. Arrest records are public in recognition of the government's accountability to the communities it serves.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

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

Restrictions on Use:

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681 governs the use of arrest records in employment and housing decisions. Employers using third-party background check services must comply with FCRA notice and authorization requirements. 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 record and a conviction record; an arrest alone does not establish guilt.

What's in Cumberland County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and any aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and gender
Race and ethnicity
Height and weight
Eye color and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars and tattoos
Address at time of arrest, which may be partially redacted

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest by street address or general area
Arresting agency, whether the Sheriff's Office, a municipal police department, or the Pennsylvania State Police
Arresting officer name and badge number, where disclosed
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information, if the arrest was warrant-based

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges as filed
Pennsylvania statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions and classifications, including felony degree and misdemeanor grade
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence designation, where applicable
Gang-related designation, where applicable

Booking Information:

Name and location of booking facility
Intake timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints are collected during booking but are not included in public-facing records

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status: in custody, released, or bonded out
Bond amount as set by the court
Bond type, including cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance bond, or no bond
Release date and time, if the individual has been released
Release conditions, where publicly available

Court Information:

Court case number assigned following arrest
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Assigned judge, where available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest from the police report
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected during the investigation
Investigative techniques and methods
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number, which is redacted
Financial account information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports contain detailed incident narratives and investigative findings not included in booking records
Court records document legal proceedings that occur after the arrest
Criminal records reflect convictions and sentences, not merely arrests
Background checks compile information from multiple sources including court records, state repositories, and federal databases

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

The cost to obtain arrest records in Cumberland County varies by record type and the office processing the request. Under 65 P.S. § 67.1307, agencies may charge fees for duplication of public records but may not charge for the time spent retrieving or reviewing records.

Record Type	Fee
Standard paper copies	$0.25 per page
Certified copies (Clerk of Courts)	$5.00 per document
PATCH criminal history (state)	$22.00 per record
Electronic records (where available)	No additional charge
Inspection of records (in person)	No charge

Accepted payment methods at the Clerk of Courts and Sheriff's Office include cash, check, and money order. Credit card acceptance varies by office. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in cases where the request serves a clear public interest; requestors must submit a written waiver application with supporting documentation. Members of the public may inspect records in person at no cost; fees apply only when copies are requested.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Cumberland County

Under Pennsylvania law, the legal mechanisms for removing arrest records from public access are expungement and limited access (sealing). Expungement results in the physical destruction or removal of records from law enforcement and court databases. Limited access restricts public visibility of records while allowing law enforcement to retain access. The distinction is significant: expunged records are treated as though they never existed for most purposes, while sealed records remain accessible to criminal justice agencies.

Eligibility for Expungement:

Under 18 Pa. C.S. § 9122, a person may petition for expungement of an arrest record in Pennsylvania under the following circumstances:

The individual was acquitted of all charges
The charges were dismissed or nolle prossed (prosecution declined)
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 conviction
The individual has been dead for three years
Summary offense convictions where the individual has been free of arrest for five years

Limited Access (Sealing):

Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law, effective under Act 56 of 2018, provides for automatic sealing of certain misdemeanor convictions and non-conviction records after a qualifying period. Misdemeanor convictions of the second or third degree may be automatically sealed after ten years with no subsequent convictions. Non-conviction records, including arrests that did not result in charges or resulted in acquittal, may be automatically sealed after a period determined by the court.

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain a copy of the criminal docket from the Cumberland County Clerk of Courts to confirm case disposition.
Complete a Petition for Expungement, available through the court or a licensed attorney.
File the petition with the Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas.
Serve the petition on the District Attorney's Office, which has the right to object.
Attend a hearing if the District Attorney files an objection.
If the petition is granted, the court issues an Order of Expungement directing all relevant agencies to destroy or seal the records.

Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6195
Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas

Cumberland County District Attorney's Office
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6225
District Attorney's Office

What Happens After Arrest in Cumberland County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest in Cumberland County, the arrested individual is transported to the Cumberland County Prison for booking. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest and the arresting agency involved.

Cumberland County Prison
1000 Claremont Road
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6340
Cumberland County Prison

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the Cumberland County Prison, the booking process is initiated. The process takes approximately one to four hours depending on facility volume. Steps include:

Recording of personal identification information
Advisement of Miranda rights
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken
Fingerprints collected and submitted to state and federal databases
Criminal history and outstanding warrant checks
Personal property inventoried and secured
Medical and mental health screening
Housing classification assignment

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, an arrested individual must be brought before a magisterial district judge for a preliminary arraignment within 72 hours of arrest. At this hearing:

The defendant is formally notified of the charges
Bail is set or denied
The right to counsel is explained
A preliminary hearing date is scheduled
Proceedings may be conducted via video conference

Bond/Bail Process:

Types of Bond:

Cash Bond: The full bail amount must be paid in cash. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus any applicable fees, provided the defendant appears at all required court dates.

Surety Bond: A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bail amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, which is ten percent of the total bail in Pennsylvania. The bondsman assumes financial responsibility for the defendant's appearance.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The defendant is released on a written promise to appear without monetary payment. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, the nature of the charges, and assessed flight risk.

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

Conditions of Release:

Regular check-in with pretrial services
Travel restrictions
No-contact orders
Drug and alcohol testing
GPS monitoring
Pretrial supervision compliance

4. Release or Continued Detention

If Bond Is Posted: Processing for release takes one to eight hours. The defendant receives written conditions of release, a court date, and the return of personal property. Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of a bench warrant.

If Bond Is Not Posted: The defendant remains in custody, receives a housing assignment, and is oriented to facility rules including commissary, phone, and visitation procedures.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender:

Cumberland County Public Defender's Office
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6270
Public Defender's Office

Eligibility for public defender services is based on financial need. Defendants must complete an application and provide documentation of income.

Private Attorney:

Defendants have the right to retain private counsel at any stage of the proceedings. The Pennsylvania Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service connects individuals with licensed attorneys in the relevant practice area.

Charging Decision:

Prosecutor's Review:

The Cumberland County District Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges. The office may file charges as presented, request additional investigation, decline to prosecute, or file modified charges. This review occurs within days to weeks of the arrest depending on case complexity.

Arraignment:

At arraignment before the Court of Common Pleas, the defendant is formally read the charges and enters a plea. The available pleas in Pennsylvania are guilty, not guilty, and nolo contendere (no contest). Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, and pretrial dates are scheduled.

Court Process Overview:

Pretrial Phase:

Discovery involves the exchange of evidence between the prosecution and defense, including police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and audio or video recordings. Pretrial motions may include motions to suppress evidence, motions to dismiss, and motions for additional discovery. Plea negotiations may result in a reduced charge or agreed sentencing recommendation.

Case Resolution Options:

Dismissal: Charges are dropped due to insufficient evidence, witness unavailability, or legal defects in the case. A dismissal may support a petition for expungement.
Diversion Programs: Eligible defendants may participate in Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD), drug court, mental health court, or veterans court. Successful completion results in dismissal of charges.
Plea Agreement: The defendant accepts a guilty or no contest plea in exchange for an agreed sentence or sentencing recommendation.
Trial: The defendant exercises the right to a jury or bench trial. A not guilty verdict results in acquittal; a guilty verdict proceeds to sentencing.

Sentencing (If Convicted):

The sentencing judge may impose incarceration, probation, fines and court costs, restitution to victims, community service, mandatory treatment, or a combination of these. Credit is applied for time served in pretrial detention. The defendant retains the right to appeal the conviction and sentence.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to preliminary arraignment: within 72 hours
Preliminary arraignment to preliminary hearing: within 14 days for detained defendants, 21 days for those released
Arraignment to trial or resolution: several months, varying by case complexity
Misdemeanors: resolved in two to six months on average
Felonies: resolved in six to eighteen months on average
Pennsylvania's right to speedy trial is governed by Pa.R.Crim.P. 600

Rights Throughout the 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

Important Contacts:

Cumberland County Prison (Jail)
1000 Claremont Road
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6340
Cumberland County Prison

Cumberland County Clerk of Courts
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 200
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6195
Clerk of Courts

Cumberland County District Attorney's Office
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6225
District Attorney's Office

Cumberland County Public Defender's Office
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6270
Public Defender's Office

What to Do If Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
Refrain from discussing the case with anyone other than legal counsel
Contact family or a trusted individual to assist with bail
Appear at all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Cumberland County?

Records Retention Overview:

Retention of arrest records in Cumberland County is governed by Pennsylvania law and the policies of each maintaining agency. The Pennsylvania State Records Committee establishes retention schedules for government records. Under current law, retention periods vary based on the type of record, the outcome of the case, and the agency maintaining the record.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Active Arrest Records (Conviction Resulted):

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Courts, Pennsylvania State Police, and the FBI
Included in the Pennsylvania criminal history repository indefinitely
Accessible through PATCH and federal background check systems

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Clerk of Courts
Local law enforcement retains records for a minimum of seven years
State repository retains records permanently

Arrest Records (No Conviction):

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement retains records for a minimum of three years
Court records are retained permanently unless expunged
State repository retains records until expungement is ordered

Acquittals:

Local law enforcement retains records for a minimum of three years
Court records are often retained permanently
Records may be sealed or expunged upon petition

Charges Not Filed:

Booking records are retained for a minimum of three years
Local arrest logs are retained for a minimum of three years
Eligible for expungement petition immediately following the decision not to prosecute

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Physical Records:

Booking paperwork: minimum three years
Fingerprint cards: retained until expungement or permanent retention for convictions
Photographs: retained consistent with the underlying record

Digital Records:

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records: minimum three years
Records management system entries: often permanent
Court electronic records: permanent for most criminal cases

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies and mugshot aggregation websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not subject to the same retention and expungement obligations as government agencies. The FCRA requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain accurate and current information, but enforcement of update obligations following expungement requires individual action by the affected person.

Retention by Agency:

Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6390
Sheriff's Office

Booking records and arrest reports are retained for a minimum of three years for non-conviction records and permanently for conviction records.

Cumberland County Clerk of Courts
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 200
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6195
Clerk of Courts

Felony case files are retained permanently. Misdemeanor case files are retained for a minimum of seven years. Electronic records are retained permanently.

Pennsylvania State Police (State Repository):

The Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Records and Identification maintains the statewide criminal history repository. Arrest records from all Pennsylvania jurisdictions are submitted to this repository. Retention is permanent for conviction records and subject to expungement orders for non-conviction records.

FBI Database:

The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the Interstate Identification Index (III) maintain federal records of arrests submitted by Pennsylvania law enforcement. Federal retention is permanent. These records are accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide and are used in employment background checks for positions requiring federal clearance.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Conviction: Permanent retention across all databases; appears on background checks indefinitely
Dismissal: Remains in databases unless expunged; not reported on most standard background checks
Expungement: Physical destruction or sealing of local records; state repository updates records; FBI database may retain a notation; removal from third-party databases requires separate action
No Charges Filed: Shortest retention period; may be purged automatically after three years; eligible for immediate expungement petition

Accessing Historical Arrest Records:

Recent arrests are available online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal and the Sheriff's Office
Arrests from five to twenty years ago may require an in-person request and possible retrieval fee
Arrests older than twenty years may exist only in paper archives and may not be digitized; contact the Clerk of Courts records division at (717) 240-6195

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the FCRA, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for non-conviction records. Conviction records may be reported indefinitely. Pennsylvania law does not currently impose a blanket prohibition on reporting non-conviction arrest records, though employers are advised to consider the nature and relevance of any record before making adverse employment decisions.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public may contact the Cumberland County Sheriff's Records Division at (717) 240-6390 to inquire about the retention status of a specific arrest record. A written public records request submitted under 65 P.S. § 67.101 may be required for detailed information. Fees may apply for copies of responsive records.

Lookup Arrest Records in Cumberland County

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator