Philadelphia Arrest Records
Philadelphia recent arrests are processed by one of the largest police forces in the nation. The city handles tens of thousands of arrests each year across its 20 police districts. You can look up recent arrests in Philadelphia through the police department, Municipal Court, or the Court of Common Pleas. The UJS Portal gives free access to docket sheets and case data for arrests filed in Philadelphia courts. This page covers how to search for and find recent arrest records in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia Quick Facts
Philadelphia Police and Recent Arrests
The Philadelphia Police Department is the main law enforcement body in the city. It is one of the oldest police forces in the United States and the fourth largest in the country. Over 6,000 sworn officers work across six divisions and 20 districts. The PPD handles all arrests within Philadelphia city limits. When a person is taken into custody, the arrest is logged at the district level and then sent to the central records system.
The Philadelphia Police Department provides access to arrest records, incident reports, and police reports. You can view recent arrest data through the department or through the city.
To get a copy of a police report tied to a recent arrest in Philadelphia, you can visit the district where the arrest took place or contact the records division at PPD headquarters. Written requests are also accepted. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. 67.101), you may submit a formal request to the City of Philadelphia for arrest-related documents that are public record. The PPD also shares data on its police blotter for recent incidents in Philadelphia.
Note: The Philadelphia Police Detention Unit can be reached at 215-686-3304 for questions about people currently in custody after a recent arrest.
Recent Arrests in Philadelphia Courts
After an arrest in Philadelphia, the case moves through the court system. Philadelphia Municipal Court handles preliminary hearings and misdemeanor cases. The criminal division of Municipal Court at 1301 Filbert Street processes thousands of cases each year. If the charges are serious, the case goes to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas for trial. Both courts keep records of all arrests that reach the filing stage.
District Attorney Larry Krasner heads the office that reviews and files charges for recent arrests in Philadelphia. The DA's office decides which arrests lead to formal charges. Not all arrests result in a case being filed. Some are dropped or sent to diversion programs. Charging documents and prosecution records are part of the public court file once a case is opened.
You can search Philadelphia court records for recent arrests on the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal. This free tool lets you look up cases by name or docket number. It shows filing dates, charges, and case status. For certified copies of court documents tied to an arrest in Philadelphia, contact the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse. Search fees may apply for some requests.
How to Find Philadelphia Arrest Records
There are several ways to search for recent arrests in Philadelphia. Each method gives you different levels of detail.
Online searches are the fastest way to check for recent arrests in Philadelphia. The UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us covers all courts in the state. You can search by name and see docket sheets, charges, and case outcomes. The Philadelphia inmate locator at incarceratedperson-locator.phila.gov shows people currently in custody. This tool is useful if you need to confirm a recent arrest in Philadelphia and find out where someone is being held.
- UJS Portal for court docket searches
- Philadelphia inmate locator for current custody status
- PATCH system for statewide criminal history at $22 per search
- In-person requests at Municipal Court or Common Pleas
- Right-to-Know requests through the city
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History system, known as PATCH, provides statewide records that include Philadelphia arrests. The fee is $22 per search. PATCH pulls data from all counties and gives a full criminal history report. This is a good option if you need records beyond what the local courts show for a Philadelphia arrest. You can also visit the courthouse in person to search for arrest records. Bring a valid photo ID and the name of the person you are looking for. Staff at the Clerk of Courts office can help you find the right case file for any recent arrest in Philadelphia.
Note: Online docket searches on the UJS Portal are free, but certified copies of arrest records from Philadelphia courts have fees that vary by document type.
Philadelphia Arrest Records and State Law
Arrest records in Philadelphia are governed by state law. The Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91) sets the rules for who can see arrest data and how it can be used. Under this law, certain arrest records are public. Others are restricted based on the outcome of the case. If charges were dropped or the person was found not guilty, the record may be eligible for expungement under 18 Pa.C.S. 9122.
Philadelphia follows the same rules as the rest of Pennsylvania for public access to recent arrest records. The Right-to-Know Law gives the public a way to request records from city and police agencies. The Office of Open Records handles appeals if a request is denied. Most arrest records that lead to a conviction are open to the public in Philadelphia.
Clean Slate legislation in Pennsylvania allows some older records to be sealed. This applies to certain misdemeanor arrests in Philadelphia where the person completed their sentence and stayed out of trouble. Sealed records do not appear on standard background checks. However, law enforcement can still see them. If you are searching for a recent arrest in Philadelphia, keep in mind that very old cases may not show up if they have been sealed or expunged.
Copies of Philadelphia Arrest Records
You can get copies of arrest records in Philadelphia from several offices. The source depends on what type of record you need.
For police reports tied to a recent arrest in Philadelphia, contact the PPD records division. Reports cost a fee and can be picked up in person or mailed. For court records, visit the Clerk of Courts at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. You can also request records by mail if you include payment and a return envelope. The Philadelphia Municipal Court at 1301 Filbert Street is where you get copies of records for misdemeanor arrests and preliminary hearings.
The Pennsylvania State Police also maintain arrest records through the PATCH system. A PATCH search costs $22 and returns a full criminal history report that includes Philadelphia arrests. You can run a PATCH search online or by mail using form SP4-164. This is useful if you need a formal record of someone's arrest history in Philadelphia for court or other official purposes.
Note: Arrest records from Philadelphia that did not result in a conviction may have limited public access under 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91.
Philadelphia County Arrest Records
Philadelphia is a consolidated city-county. All arrests in the city go through the Philadelphia County court system. The county court handles everything from preliminary hearings to felony trials. For more on how the county processes arrest records and additional resources, visit the Philadelphia County page.
Nearby Cities with Recent Arrests
Other Pennsylvania cities also maintain their own arrest records. Pick a city below to learn about recent arrests in that area.