The office of the Central Repository under the Pennsylvania State Police is the one that handles the PA criminal records. Such record is stored electronically using the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History Records also known as PATCH.
PATCH was designed to help deliver information to the public. It is the tool used by the local government of Pennsylvania to monitor the criminal files of the state. One of the documents that can be accessed through the so called database is the arrest records. One good thing about this relatively new technology is that anyone can use it. This means that even those who are not registered are allowed to request for any type of document they need. However, this comes with a few limitations. Since Pennsylvania strictly implements the criminal code, the information that can be obtained from a public arrest or criminal record is controlled.
The limitation simply means that, although everybody has the freedom to access the arrest records of the state, not everybody would be able to get all of the information pertaining to the recorded incident. A good example of this is the records of minors. Juvenile records are kept confidential and are only available to those who have the authority. Being a public file means many can see what is stated on the file, this increase the risk for the witnesses as well as the investigator. Such sensitive documents are only available to the public after the case has been resolved.
The state of Pennsylvania only releases the documents to the person who owns the file. Authorized individuals also have access to the arrest records of Pennsylvania. This includes organizations, business owners or government officials. A fingerprint scan would cost only $15 while a name-based search would cost only $10. Authorized individuals are the only ones who are allowed to conduct a fingerprint search.
Aside from the online system, one can personally request it at the State Police Central Repository office of the state. Before going to the office, the state recommends downloading the form online to help speed up the process. The form has to be submitted to the said office and payment has to be made with a check amounting to $10 only or a money order. All of the necessary information has to be indicated on the form which can aid in the retrieval process. Also, the one who requested the file will be required to provide their contact details as well. This will only be used to track and document the access to the file.
The Internet is now used as a medium to deliver information to a number of targets. Criminal arrest records are one of the many documents that are now available online. This makes the search convenient and a lot faster than most of the methods that we know of. There are websites that offer criminal records free to public. The Pennsylvania Access to criminal history records is linked with some website in order to deliver the most accurate information to the public.
