Criminal records in Erie County, Pennsylvania, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. EriePACourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Erie County. Additional access points include the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal, the Erie County Clerk of Records, the Erie County Sheriff's Office, and the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history repository.
How to Search Criminal Records in Erie
There are multiple ways to look up criminal records in Erie County. What you'll need depends on the method you choose, but having the individual's full name, date of birth, or case number will make any search more effective.
Online Search Options
- EriePACourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Erie County.
- UJS Web Portal Case Search — The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides free access to docket sheets for Court of Common Pleas criminal cases, magisterial district court cases, and appellate court cases. You can search by participant name, case number, or docket number.
- Erie County Court Record Viewer — This county-level tool provides access to Prothonotary records from 1992 to the present and can be searched by case number or party name.
- Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) — Maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police, PATCH provides statewide criminal history record checks online. Results are typically returned quickly and cover arrests and dispositions reported to the state repository.
- Erie County Sheriff's Office Warrants — The Sheriff's Office publishes a list of active warrants, searchable by name.
In Person
Visit the Erie County Clerk of Courts at the Erie County Courthouse. The Clerk of Courts acts as custodian of all criminal court records, including motions, pleadings, transcripts, and other case documents. Public access terminals may be available at the courthouse for searching docket information.
By Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of Courts: Submit a written request to the Clerk of Courts at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). Fees for copies apply.
- Pennsylvania State Police (mail-in): You can request a criminal history background check by mail through the PSP if you prefer not to use the PATCH online system.
- Right-to-Know Request: For certain county-held records, you may submit a formal request under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law through the Erie County Right-to-Know portal.
Local Criminal Record History Check
The Erie County Sheriff's Office Identification Bureau offers fingerprinting and personal local police record history checks. This service is available on the 1st floor of 134 West 6th Street in Erie.
Search Erie Criminal Cases by Case Number
Pennsylvania uses a standardized case number format across its Courts of Common Pleas. Understanding the format helps you locate records quickly on the UJS Portal or at the Clerk of Courts office.
A typical Erie County criminal case number follows this pattern:
CP-25-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY
- CP — Indicates a Court of Common Pleas case
- 25 — The county code for Erie County
- CR — Designates a criminal case (other prefixes include MD for miscellaneous, SA for summary appeal)
- XXXXXXX — A sequential filing number assigned by the court
- YYYY — The four-digit filing year
Magisterial district court cases use a different format beginning with "MJ" followed by the district judge's office number, case type code, sequence number, and year.
If you only have a partial case number, try searching by the defendant's name on the UJS Portal and then narrowing results to Erie County Court of Common Pleas.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Erie
Charges
- Statute codes: Each charge references a specific section of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (e.g., 18 Pa.C.S. § 3502 for burglary).
- Severity: Charges are classified as summary offenses, misdemeanors (M1, M2, M3), or felonies (F1, F2, F3). Ungraded offenses may also appear.
- Amended charges: Charges may be amended by the district attorney before or during proceedings. The docket sheet will reflect both original and amended charges.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Active | Case is currently proceeding through the court system |
| 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 |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing: A magisterial district judge determines whether sufficient evidence exists to hold the case for trial
- Pre-trial conference: Attorneys discuss case status, potential plea agreements, and trial preparation
- Trial: The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing: The court imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing: Court monitors compliance with probation, treatment, or other conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not Guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges were dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Nolle Prossed | Prosecution chose not to pursue the charge |
| ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) | Defendant entered a diversionary program; charges may be expunged upon completion |
| Withdrawn | Charges were withdrawn before disposition |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Erie
Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts is the primary office for obtaining certified copies of criminal court records in Erie County, including docket sheets, court orders, judgments, and transcripts.
How to request:
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Courts at the Erie County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Specify the case number and the documents you need.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Clerk of Courts with the defendant's name, case number, a description of the records requested, and a check or money order for applicable fees.
Pennsylvania State Police
For a certified statewide criminal history, submit a request through PATCH online or by mail to the Pennsylvania State Police. This covers all criminal history information reported to the state central repository.
Sheriff's Office
For a personal local criminal record history check, visit the Erie County Sheriff's Office Identification Bureau. You will need to provide fingerprints and a valid photo ID.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Erie
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PATCH online criminal history check | $22.00 | Pennsylvania State Police; paid online via credit card |
| PATCH mail-in criminal history check | $22.00 | Pennsylvania State Police; check or money order |
| Certified copy of court record (Clerk of Courts) | Varies; contact office | Per-page and certification fees apply |
| Appeal filing fee (Clerk of Courts to Superior Court) | $43.50 | Erie County Clerk of Courts |
| Personal local criminal record history check (Sheriff's Office) | Contact Sheriff's Office for current fee | Includes fingerprinting; paid at time of service |
Processing Times
- PATCH online: Results are usually returned within minutes for records that match. If fingerprint verification is required, processing may take longer.
- Clerk of Courts (in person): Simple copy requests are often fulfilled the same day, depending on volume.
- Clerk of Courts (by mail): Allow several business days for processing plus mailing time.
- Right-to-Know requests: Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, agencies must respond within five business days, though a 30-day extension is permitted under certain circumstances.
- Sheriff's Office local record check: Typically completed during the visit, though turnaround may vary.
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts directly with the issuing office before submitting payment.