Criminal records in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, can be accessed through several channels. AlleghenyPACourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Beyond that resource, the official county court system, law enforcement agencies, and the Allegheny County Department of Court Records each offer ways to look up or request criminal case data. Federal cases handled in the county are managed through the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
How to Search Criminal Records in Allegheny County
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Allegheny County, depending on whether you need a quick lookup or certified documentation.
Online Search Options
- AlleghenyPACourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information, including criminal cases filed in Allegheny County.
- Allegheny County Department of Court Records — The county maintains an online case search portal that allows authorized users to look up case records. Registration or login may be required.
- Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System Web Portal — The statewide UJS Portal provides public access to docket sheets for criminal cases across Pennsylvania courts, including Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and magisterial district courts.
- Federal cases — Criminal cases prosecuted at the federal level in Allegheny County are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Federal case records are available through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).
In Person
- Visit the Allegheny County Department of Court Records at the county courthouse. Public access terminals may be available for searching docket information.
- Ask the clerk's office staff for assistance locating specific criminal case files.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Allegheny County Department of Court Records, Criminal Division, for copies of specific case documents.
- For a statewide criminal history check, submit a request to the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository using the SP4-164 Request for Criminal Record Check form. This can be done online through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number or docket number (if available)
- OTN (Offense Tracking Number), if known
Search Allegheny County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Pennsylvania uses a standardized case number format across its Courts of Common Pleas. In Allegheny County, a criminal case number typically follows this structure:
- CP-02-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY
- CP — Court of Common Pleas
- 02 — Allegheny County's county code
- CR — Criminal case type (other prefixes include MD for magisterial district cases or SA for summary appeals)
- XXXXXXX — Sequential case number assigned by the court
- YYYY — Four-digit filing year
Magisterial district court cases use a different format: MJ-05XXX-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY, where the five-digit number after MJ identifies the specific magisterial district judge's office.
If you have a case number, enter it directly into the UJS Portal docket search for the fastest results. Partial case numbers may not return accurate matches — use the complete number whenever possible.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Allegheny County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | References the specific section of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (Title 18) or other title under which the defendant is charged |
| Severity | Felony (F1, F2, F3), Misdemeanor (M1, M2, M3), or Summary offense |
| Amended charges | Charges may be added, reduced, or withdrawn as a case progresses; the docket sheet reflects each change |
| Sequence number | Each charge on a docket is numbered sequentially for tracking |
Case Status
- Active — Case is currently proceeding through the court
- Pending — Awaiting a scheduled hearing or action
- Disposed — All charges have been resolved (by verdict, plea, or dismissal)
- Closed — Case is fully concluded, including sentencing and any post-disposition matters
- Inactive — Case activity has been suspended, often due to a bench warrant or fugitive status
Hearings
- Preliminary arraignment — Initial appearance where bail is set and charges are read
- Preliminary hearing — Prosecution must establish probable cause to hold the case for trial
- Formal arraignment — Defendant enters a plea in the Court of Common Pleas
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case resolution, evidence, and potential plea agreements
- Trial — Bench or jury trial
- Sentencing hearing — Court imposes sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review hearing — Post-sentencing check on compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Nolle prosequi — Prosecution declined to pursue the charge
- Dismissed — Charge dropped by the court
- ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) — Diversion program for eligible first-time offenders; successful completion can lead to expungement
- Guilty — negotiated plea — Conviction through a plea agreement
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Allegheny County
Certified copies of criminal case records in Allegheny County are handled by the Department of Court Records, Criminal Division. These are official court-stamped documents that can be used for legal proceedings, background verification, and other formal purposes.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Criminal Division office at the Allegheny County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You can request certified copies of docket sheets, dispositions, or other case documents.
- By mail — Send a written request specifying the case number, defendant name, and the documents needed. Include payment (check or money order payable to the Department of Court Records) and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Online — Some records may be available for order through the county's online portal, though certified copies typically require in-person or mail requests.
Statewide Criminal History
For an official Pennsylvania criminal background check, use the PATCH system operated by the Pennsylvania State Police. This returns a record of all criminal history information maintained by the state repository. FBI-based checks require fingerprinting through an approved channeler.
Contact Information
Allegheny County Department of Court Records — Criminal Division
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Allegheny County
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Docket sheet copy | Varies | Per-page fees apply; contact the clerk for the current schedule |
| Certified copy | Varies | Certification fee is added to the per-page copy cost |
| PATCH criminal background check | $22.00 | Paid online through the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system |
| FBI fingerprint-based background check | Approximately $23.50–$24.00 | Submitted through an approved channeler (e.g., IdentoGO); fees may vary |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Copies are often available the same day or within a few business days, depending on the volume of requests.
- Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mailing.
- PATCH online — Results are typically returned within minutes for records with no matches. Records that require review may take up to 2–3 weeks.
- FBI checks — Processing generally takes 2–4 weeks.
Fee amounts are set by the Department of Court Records and may be updated periodically. Contact the Criminal Division office directly to confirm current fees before submitting payment. Pennsylvania's fee authority for court record copies is established under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1725.1 and local court administrative orders.