Luzerne County, Pennsylvania Warrant Records
Are Warrants Public Record in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania?
Warrants are public records in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.). This legislation establishes that records maintained by government agencies, including warrant records, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute, regulation, court order, or decree. The law serves to promote transparency and accountability within the judicial system while maintaining appropriate safeguards for sensitive information.
In Luzerne County, warrant records are maintained by the Luzerne County Sheriff's Office and the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. These records are available for public inspection during regular business hours. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System also maintains electronic records of certain warrants through its web portal, providing an additional avenue for public access in accordance with Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts guidelines.
Members of the public seeking warrant information should be aware that certain warrants may be temporarily sealed by court order, particularly in cases involving ongoing investigations or matters of public safety as provided under Pa.R.Crim.P. 211. In such instances, access may be restricted until the sealing order expires or is lifted by judicial decree.
What Is Contents in Warrant Records in Luzerne County?
Warrant records in Luzerne County typically contain the following information as required by Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure:
- Full legal name and known aliases of the subject
- Date of birth and/or age of the subject when available
- Physical description including height, weight, race, gender, and identifying marks
- Last known address or location information
- Date and time of warrant issuance
- Docket number and case identification
- Nature and classification of the alleged offense(s)
- Statutory citation of violated law(s)
- Name and title of the issuing authority
- Bail amount, if applicable
- Special conditions or instructions for executing officers
Pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 513 and 203, warrant records must contain sufficient particularity regarding the person to be arrested and the offense charged. The level of detail may vary depending on whether the warrant is an arrest warrant or a bench warrant issued for failure to appear or comply with court orders.
How to Check For Warrants in Luzerne County For Free
Members of the public may verify the existence of warrants in Luzerne County through several no-cost methods:
- Visiting the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas at 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
- Accessing the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's online case search portal, which provides information on criminal cases including active warrants
- Contacting the Luzerne County Sheriff's Office at 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, by phone at (570) 825-1651
- Utilizing public access terminals located in the Luzerne County Courthouse lobby
Individuals seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full name and date of birth to facilitate accurate record searches. Per Pennsylvania court administration policy, certain identifying information may be required to distinguish between individuals with similar names.
Luzerne County Sheriff Warrants
The Luzerne County Sheriff's Office maintains and executes warrants issued by the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts within the county. These legal instruments are categorized as follows:
- Arrest Warrants: Issued pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 513 when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a criminal offense
- Bench Warrants: Issued under Pa.R.Crim.P. 150 when defendants fail to appear for scheduled court proceedings
- Search Warrants: Authorized under Pa.R.Crim.P. 200-211 to permit examination of specified locations or seizure of evidence
- Civil Warrants: Issued in non-criminal matters such as child support enforcement or civil contempt
The Luzerne County Sheriff's Warrants Division operates from the county courthouse at:
Luzerne County Sheriff's Office - Warrants Division
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
(570) 825-1651
Luzerne County Sheriff's Office
The division maintains a dedicated staff of deputies who prioritize warrant service based on severity of charges, public safety considerations, and judicial directives. As specified in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, certain search warrant procedures in Luzerne County follow special protocols established by the District Attorney's certification under Pa.R.Crim.P. 2002A.
How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Luzerne County in 2025
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Luzerne County in 2025 may utilize several official channels:
- The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's electronic docket sheets provide case information including warrant status
- The Luzerne County Court Records Office maintains public terminals for searching court records including warrants
- The Luzerne County Sheriff's Office can verify warrant status upon in-person inquiry with proper identification
- Magisterial District Courts within Luzerne County maintain records of warrants issued within their jurisdiction
Persons concerned about possible warrants should be aware that Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies regularly conduct warrant sweeps and may share information with other jurisdictions through the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
For the most current information, individuals may contact:
Luzerne County Clerk of Courts
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
(570) 825-1500
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Luzerne County
Verification of outstanding warrants in Luzerne County may be accomplished through several authorized methods:
- Accessing the Unified Judicial System Portal to search for criminal cases and associated warrants
- Submitting a written request to the Luzerne County Clerk of Courts using the standard public records request form
- Visiting the Luzerne County Sheriff's Office Records Division during public counter hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM)
- Consulting with a licensed attorney who can access court records through the Pennsylvania Courts Electronic Filing System (PACFile)
Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509, certain court records including warrant information are subject to public access with appropriate identification. Requestors should note that while basic warrant information is public record, supporting affidavits may be subject to temporary sealing orders in certain circumstances.
The Luzerne County Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated telephone line for warrant inquiries at (570) 825-1651. Callers should be prepared to provide full name, date of birth, and other identifying information to facilitate accurate record searches.
Search Warrant Records in Luzerne County
Members of the public seeking to access warrant records in Luzerne County have multiple resources available:
