Franklin County Public Records /Franklin County Criminal Records

Franklin County Criminal Records

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Franklin County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, may access publicly available information through official government repositories, court systems, and third-party aggregators such as FranklinPARecords.org. Franklin County maintains criminal record data across multiple agencies, and the scope of accessible information depends on the record type, the requesting party, and the method of access. Records that may be available include:

Arrest records and booking information
Court case filings and dispositions
Conviction records and sentencing details
Active and historical warrant information
Probation and parole status (where publicly disclosed)
Sex offender registration entries

Records can be searched through official county court offices, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, public access terminals located at the courthouse, and online portals maintained by the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System and the Pennsylvania State Police. The following five methods outline the primary access points currently available.

1. County Court Records

The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts maintain criminal case files for matters adjudicated within the county. Members of the public may inspect non-juvenile court records in person at the Clerk of Courts office. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or docket number.

Franklin County Clerk of Courts
157 Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 261-3872
Clerk of Courts – Franklin County

Public access terminals are available during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. These terminals allow requestors to search docket information without staff assistance at no charge.

2. Sheriff's Office

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office maintains records related to arrests, warrants, and civil process. Pursuant to its statutory authority, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office is responsible for enforcement of laws throughout the county, including the service of warrants and other legal documents. Requests for arrest logs or warrant information may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees for copies are assessed per page in accordance with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office
157 Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 261-3877
Sheriff – Franklin County

3. Online Court Search

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides a public web-based docket search portal that allows users to search criminal case records statewide, including Franklin County. Users may search by party name, docket number, or date of birth. The UJS Web Portal case search returns docket sheets that include charges, dispositions, and sentencing information. Note that sealed, expunged, or juvenile records do not appear in this system.

4. State Criminal History Repository

The Pennsylvania State Police maintains the Commonwealth's central criminal history repository. Members of the public may submit a request for a criminal history background check through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. Online requests are processed for a fee of $22.00 per subject. Employer and authorized agency requests may require fingerprint-based submissions processed through the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Records and Identification. Processing times vary; online name-based checks are returned within minutes, while fingerprint-based checks may take several business days.

Pennsylvania State Police – Bureau of Records and Identification
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 783-5592
Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History

5. Written and Mail Requests

Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Franklin County Clerk of Courts at 157 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, PA 17201. Requests must include the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.901, agencies are required to respond to written requests within five business days of receipt.

What Is Franklin County Criminal Record

A criminal record in Franklin County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and, where applicable, other jurisdictions. Under Pennsylvania law, a criminal record may encompass arrest records, charging documents, court dispositions, conviction records, and post-conviction supervision status.

The distinction between record types is significant for access and legal purposes:

Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt or a finding of conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal judicial determination of guilt, whether by plea or verdict.
Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Pennsylvania classifies criminal offenses as felonies (Grades 1, 2, and 3) and misdemeanors (Grades 1, 2, and 3), with summary offenses representing the least serious category. Each classification carries different retention and disclosure rules.
Adult vs. juvenile records: Records involving individuals adjudicated as juveniles are confidential under 42 Pa. C.S. § 6307 and are not subject to public disclosure in the same manner as adult records.
Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest and are maintained by the Sheriff's Office and court system. Historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.

The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Franklin County include the Franklin County Sheriff's Office (arrest records and jail records), the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts (case files and dispositions), the Pennsylvania State Police (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments (incident and arrest reports). Records are created at the point of arrest, updated through each stage of prosecution, and finalized upon disposition, sentencing, or case closure. The Franklin County Clerk of Courts notes that "all records, with the exception of records involving juveniles, are open for public review."

Are Criminal Records Public In Franklin County

Criminal records in Franklin County are subject to public disclosure under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.102, which establishes a presumption of openness for records maintained by Commonwealth agencies and local government entities. Adult conviction records, court proceedings, docket sheets, and sentencing information are accessible to members of the public absent a specific statutory exemption.

Records that are restricted from public access include:

Juvenile adjudication records, which are confidential under 42 Pa. C.S. § 6307
Expunged records, which are legally removed from public repositories following a court order
Sealed records, including those subject to limited access orders under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law
Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
Victim and witness identifying information protected under applicable state and federal statutes
Records subject to a court-issued protective order

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records provides guidance on the application of the Right-to-Know Law to criminal justice records. Federal records maintained by agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation operate under separate disclosure frameworks governed by the Freedom of Information Act and are not subject to Pennsylvania's open records statutes.

How To Find Criminal Records in Franklin County Online

Official County Resources

The Franklin County Clerk of Courts provides access to criminal case records through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's public portal. The UJS Web Portal docket search allows users to search by defendant name, docket number, or date of birth across all Pennsylvania courts, including Franklin County's Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. No registration is required to conduct a basic name search. Results include docket sheets with charge information, case status, and disposition data. Records involving juveniles, expunged matters, or cases subject to limited access orders do not appear in public search results.

State-Level Resources

The Pennsylvania State Police operates the PATCH criminal history background check system, which provides name-based criminal history reports drawn from the statewide repository. This system is accessible online and returns results for adult conviction records maintained by the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections operates the Inmate/Department Supervised Individual Locator, which allows members of the public to search for individuals currently incarcerated in a state correctional institution or under department supervision.

Search Tips

Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
Case number searches return the most precise results and eliminate name-match ambiguity
Cross-reference results across the UJS portal, PATCH system, and the DOC inmate locator for a complete picture
Understand that records predating electronic filing may not appear in online databases
Sealed and expunged records will not appear in any public online search

Limitations

Online databases reflect a data lag of varying duration depending on the agency and case type. Historical records predating the digitization of court files may require an in-person request at the Clerk of Courts. Online searches do not constitute an official background check and are not a substitute for a certified criminal history report obtained through the Pennsylvania State Police.

Can You Search Franklin County Criminal Records for Free

Free Options

1. In-Person Inspection: Pennsylvania law mandates that public records be made available for inspection at no charge. Members of the public may inspect criminal court records at the Franklin County Clerk of Courts during regular business hours without payment. Fees apply only to reproductions of records. The Clerk of Courts is located at 157 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, PA 17201.

2. Free Online Databases: The UJS Web Portal docket search is available at no cost and provides access to docket sheets for Franklin County criminal cases. The Pennsylvania DOC inmate locator is also free to use and requires no registration.

3. Sheriff's Logs: The Franklin County Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests and warrant service. Members of the public may request access to these logs in person at the Sheriff's Office.

What Costs Money

Record Type	Estimated Fee
Certified copy of court record	$0.25–$1.00 per page (varies)
Official PATCH background check	$22.00 per subject
Fingerprint-based background check	Additional processing fees apply
Staff-assisted record searches	Variable
Expedited processing	Additional fee where available

State Fee Law

Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.1307, agencies may charge fees for duplication of records but may not charge for the time spent retrieving records or for inspection. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the agency's open records officer.

What's Included in a Franklin County Criminal Record

Identifying Information

A Franklin County criminal record at present includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot) where available, last known address, Pennsylvania State Identification (SID) number, and FBI number where applicable.

Arrest Information

Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the facility where the individual was held.

Court Case Information

Court records include the case docket number, the court and jurisdiction, filing date, statutory charges with felony or misdemeanor classification, plea entered, and attorney of record information. These records are accessible through the Franklin County Clerk of Courts.

Disposition

Disposition records reflect the verdict or plea outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution orders, conditions of probation or parole, and any appeals filed or decided.

Additional Record Elements

Records may also include active or historical warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI/DWI adjudications, traffic violations prosecuted as criminal matters, and pending charges.

NOT Included

Juvenile adjudication records
Expunged or sealed records
Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
Records from completed diversion programs where expungement has been granted

Accuracy Note

Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may petition the originating court or agency for correction. The Pennsylvania State Police provides a process for challenging inaccurate criminal history information through the PATCH system. Maintaining accurate records is significant for employment, licensing, and housing purposes.

How Long Does Franklin County Keep Criminal Records

Legal Requirements

Pennsylvania's retention requirements for criminal records are governed by the Pennsylvania State Records Committee schedules and applicable provisions of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. Courts are required to retain records in accordance with schedules approved by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.

Retention by Record Type

Felony convictions: Retained permanently by both the county court and the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history repository
Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in the state repository; county court records retained per approved schedule
Arrest records without conviction: Retained until expungement is ordered or for a period determined by agency retention schedules
Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained permanently in court records with disposition noted; subject to expungement petition under 18 Pa. C.S. § 9122
Juvenile records: Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood and eligible for destruction after a statutory period under 42 Pa. C.S. § 6307
Pending cases: Retained until final resolution

Agency Differences

County courts retain case files permanently in accordance with Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts retention rules. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office retains jail and arrest records per county retention schedules. The Pennsylvania State Police retains conviction records permanently in the statewide repository.

Physical vs. Electronic Records

Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Physical documents may be destroyed after scanning and indexing into electronic systems, but the electronic record persists in the repository.

Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement

Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under 18 Pa. C.S. § 9122, results in the removal of a record from public repositories, though law enforcement agencies may retain access under limited circumstances. Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law provides for the automatic sealing of certain misdemeanor convictions after a ten-year conviction-free period.

Old Records Access

Pre-digital records may require a special in-person request at the Clerk of Courts or, in some cases, a request to the Pennsylvania State Archives. Not all historical records have been digitized.

Federal Records

The Federal Bureau of Investigation maintains its own criminal history repository independently of state systems. Federal records are governed by separate retention rules and are not subject to Pennsylvania's expungement statutes.

Practical Implications

Even if county offices destroy physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless legally expunged. Felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act are subject to a seven-year reporting limitation for certain non-conviction records, though convictions may be reported without time limitation. Professional licensing boards in Pennsylvania may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record.