Criminal records in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. IndianaCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Indiana County. Additional access points include the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal, the Indiana County Clerk of Courts, and the Indiana County Sheriff's Office.
How to Search Criminal Records in Indiana County
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Indiana County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need official or informal results.
Online Search Options
- IndianaCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information related to Indiana County criminal cases.
- Pennsylvania UJS Portal Case Search — The statewide Unified Judicial System portal lets you search by participant name, docket number, or calendar event across all Pennsylvania courts, including Indiana County's Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts.
- Indiana County Clerk of Courts — The Clerk of Courts/Criminal Division offers online services including the E-Pay system for defendants to pay court costs, fines, and fees.
- Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) — The Pennsylvania State Police operate this system for official criminal background checks. You can submit a new record check, request a volunteer record check, or check the status of a pending request.
- Indiana County Jail Public Portal — Search current inmates by last name, first name, or date of birth.
- PA Department of Corrections Inmate Locator — Search for individuals in state correctional facilities, updated daily.
- Pennsylvania Megan's Law Registry — Search for registered sex offenders under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.32(1) and § 9799.67(1).
In Person
Visit the Indiana County Clerk of Courts office at the courthouse to access criminal case files. Public access terminals may be available for searching docket information. Bring a valid photo ID.
Indiana County Clerk of Courts (Criminal Division)
By Mail
Written requests for criminal record searches can be sent to the Clerk of Courts at the address above. For statewide criminal history checks, the Pennsylvania State Police accept mail-in PATCH requests. Notarized copies of a criminal record check must be submitted by mail to PSP.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case or docket number (if known)
- Social Security Number (required for PATCH background checks)
Search Indiana County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Pennsylvania uses a standardized docket number format across its courts. Understanding the structure helps you search efficiently on the UJS portal.
A typical Common Pleas criminal docket number follows this pattern:
CP-32-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY
- CP — Court of Common Pleas
- 32 — Indiana County's numeric code within the Pennsylvania court system
- CR — Criminal case type
- XXXXXXX — Sequential case number
- YYYY — Year the case was filed
For Magisterial District Court cases, the prefix changes to MJ instead of CP, and the judge's district number replaces the county code.
When searching by docket number, select the "Docket Number" search option on the UJS portal and enter the full number exactly as formatted. Partial numbers may not return results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Indiana 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 |
| Grade / Severity | Felony (F1, F2, F3), Misdemeanor (M1, M2, M3), Summary Offense, or Ungraded |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be added, reduced, or withdrawn as the case progresses through preliminary hearings and plea negotiations |
| Sequence Number | Each charge within a case is assigned a count number |
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Active | Case is currently proceeding through the court system |
| Pending | Charges have been filed but no final disposition has been entered |
| Closed / Disposed | All charges have reached a final outcome |
| Inactive | Case activity has been suspended, often due to a bench warrant or fugitive status |
The Indiana County Sheriff's Office publishes bench warrants issued by the Court of Common Pleas.
Hearing Types
- Preliminary Arraignment — Initial appearance where bail is set and charges are read
- Preliminary Hearing — Magisterial District Judge determines whether sufficient evidence exists to hold the case for trial
- Formal Arraignment — Defendant enters a plea at the Court of Common Pleas level
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss potential plea agreements or trial preparation
- Trial — Bench or jury trial on the merits
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review Hearing — Post-sentencing hearing to monitor compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted at trial |
| Nolle Prossed | Prosecution declined to pursue the charge |
| Dismissed | Court dismissed the charge, often at preliminary hearing for lack of evidence |
| ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) | Diversionary program; charges may be expunged upon successful completion |
| Withdrawn | Charge removed by the prosecution before disposition |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Indiana County
Certified copies of criminal court records in Indiana County are handled by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts. Statewide criminal history reports come from the Pennsylvania State Police through the PATCH system.
From the Clerk of Courts
- Visit the Clerk of Courts office in person or submit a written request by mail
- Provide the defendant's full name and docket number if available
- Present a valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Pay the applicable copy and certification fees
Indiana County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
From the Pennsylvania State Police (PATCH)
- Go to the PATCH website and select "Submit a New Record Check"
- Enter the subject's full name, date of birth, and Social Security Number
- Pay the required fee online with a credit card
- Results are typically available electronically; notarized copies must be requested by mail
Requests through the PA Office of Open Records may also be appropriate when seeking records from county agencies under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.).
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Indiana County
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PATCH criminal background check (non-volunteer) | $22.00 | Pennsylvania State Police; paid online at epatch.pa.gov |
| PATCH volunteer record check | Free | Must qualify under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9124(b); submitted through PATCH |
| Certified copy of court document | Varies; typically $5.00–$10.00 per document plus per-page charges | Clerk of Courts fee schedule; contact office for current rates |
| Per-page copy fee | $0.25–$0.50 per page | Standard county copy rate; confirm with Clerk of Courts |
| UJS Portal case search | Free | Public access; no registration required for basic searches |
| Inmate lookup (county jail portal) | Free | Indiana County Jail Public Portal |
Processing Times
- PATCH online requests — Results are often returned within minutes for records that produce a match or a "no record" response. Requests requiring manual review may take up to two weeks.
- Clerk of Courts in-person requests — Copies are generally available the same day during business hours.
- Mail requests — Allow 5–10 business days for processing plus mailing time. Notarized PATCH requests submitted by mail may take longer.
Fees are subject to change. Contact the Indiana County Clerk of Courts directly to confirm current rates before submitting a request.