Crime Victim Right of Access

In 2023, Pennsylvania passed into law a measure which allows the victims of a crime to access and obtain certain investigative records.  This law allows crime victims or a defendant in a civil action to obtain police investigative materials that are otherwise barred by the Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA).

Materials can only be provided to a “requesting party” as defined in 18 PA C.S. §9158 or to the requesting party’s attorney.  A “requesting party” is defined as “a crime victim or a defendant in a civil action in which a crime victim is a party.”   A “crime victim” is defined as any individual “against whom a crime has been committed or attempted and who, as a direct result of the criminal act or attempt, suffers physical or mental injury, death, or the loss of earnings.”