Erie Pennsylvania Criminal Court Records
Erie criminal court records are maintained by the Erie County Clerk of Records, which serves the 6th Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Erie is the county seat and largest city in Erie County, with a population of approximately 95,000. The Erie County Courthouse at 140 W. 6th Street in downtown Erie houses the Clerk of Records office, the Court of Common Pleas, and the Central Court for preliminary hearings. Because Erie is the county seat, all criminal proceedings for city residents run through the same courthouse complex. This page covers how to find Erie criminal court records, where to search online, and which offices handle different record types.
Erie Quick Facts
Erie County Clerk of Records: Criminal Court Records Office
The Erie County Clerk of Records handles a broad set of functions that in many Pennsylvania counties are split across separate offices. In Erie County, the Clerk of Records performs the combined duties of the Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, and Clerk of the Orphans' Court. For criminal records specifically, the Clerk of Courts Bureau within the Clerk of Records office is the point of contact. Aubrea Hagerty-Haynes serves as the current Clerk of Records.
| Office | Erie County Clerk of Records (Clerk of Courts Bureau) |
|---|---|
| Address | Erie County Courthouse 140 W. 6th Street, Erie, PA 16501 |
| Phone | (814) 451-6250 |
| Clerk of Records | Aubrea Hagerty-Haynes |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | courts.eriecountypa.gov |
The Clerk of Courts Bureau's mission includes maintaining, docketing, and indexing all criminal court records for Erie County. The office also assesses and collects court costs, fines, fees, and restitution. Collected funds are then distributed according to court orders. This combined administrative and record-keeping role means the Clerk's office is involved in every criminal case from arraignment through case closure.
Note: The Erie County Central Court, which handles preliminary hearings for criminal matters including those originating in the City of Erie, is also located at the 140 W. 6th Street courthouse. Thirteen MDJ courts operate throughout Erie County for summary offenses and preliminary proceedings outside the central court.
Searching Erie Criminal Court Cases Online
Erie County criminal court records can be searched online through two main tools. The Erie County Courts website provides local information and access points. The statewide UJS Portal provides direct docket searches for individual cases across all court levels.
The Erie County Courts website at courts.eriecountypa.gov provides information on the Clerk of Records office, court contacts, and resources for accessing criminal court records in Erie County.
The UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is the primary tool for searching Erie criminal court cases online. Searches are free and available without an account. You can search by defendant name, case number, or OTN (Offense Tracking Number). Results include docket entries for both MDJ-level cases and Court of Common Pleas cases. Charge information, filing dates, hearing outcomes, and sentencing details all appear in UJS Portal docket sheets for Erie County cases.
Search Erie criminal case dockets for free at the Pennsylvania UJS Portal, which covers Erie County cases at all court levels including the 13 MDJ courts that serve the county.
The Erie County Court of Common Pleas uses PACFile for electronic filing of criminal matters. Recently filed cases appear in the UJS Portal quickly once they are docketed. Older paper-based records require an in-person request at the Clerk of Courts Bureau. Staff at (814) 451-6250 can confirm whether a specific case is available electronically.
Types of Erie Criminal Court Records
Erie criminal cases generate records at two distinct levels. Summary offenses and preliminary hearings go to the MDJ courts or the Erie County Central Court. Felonies and misdemeanors proceed to the Court of Common Pleas after the preliminary hearing. The Clerk of Courts Bureau at the courthouse maintains all Common Pleas criminal records.
At the Common Pleas level, Erie criminal court records include the criminal complaint, affidavit of probable cause, bail papers, the information or indictment, pretrial motions, plea agreements, trial transcripts, the verdict, and the sentencing order. Appeals and post-conviction petitions become part of the same docket. All of these are maintained, docketed, and indexed by the Clerk of Courts Bureau.
The Clerk of Records also handles the financial side of criminal cases: assessing court costs, collecting fines and fees, and distributing restitution to victims. This means the Clerk's office records reflect both the judicial proceedings and the financial obligations imposed by the court. Certified copies of any of these documents can be obtained at the courthouse.
Erie criminal court records are public under the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System (Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509). Exceptions include juvenile records, sealed cases under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law (18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1), and any records restricted by court order. Most active and closed adult criminal cases are available to the public.
Erie Police and Arrest Records
The Erie Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents within the City of Erie. The Records Division is located at 1926 Parade Street, Erie, PA 16503. The phone number is (814) 870-1125. Police arrest records document what officers observed, the circumstances of the arrest, and booking information. These records exist separately from court records.
Court records begin once charges are formally filed with the Clerk of Courts Bureau or the MDJ. If you are researching an Erie criminal matter, you may need records from both the police department and the courthouse. The police hold documentation from before charges were filed. The courthouse holds everything that followed. Together, they provide the full history of the case.
For incidents involving the Erie Police Department, provide the Records Division with the incident date, location, and the names of the people involved. Older records may take additional time to locate. Some records may be subject to restrictions under CHRIA (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183) depending on the nature of the case and its outcome.
Criminal History Checks for Erie Residents
Pennsylvania's PATCH system (Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History) provides statewide background checks that include Erie County records. Submit requests online at epatch.pa.gov. The standard fee is $22. Individuals checking their own record pay $20. Volunteers at qualifying nonprofits may be eligible for a free check. Contact the PATCH helpline at 1-888-783-7972 for assistance with requests or questions about results.
PATCH results draw from the statewide criminal history database maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police under CHRIA. Erie and Erie County court cases reported to the State Police appear in these results. More information about the background check process is available at the Pennsylvania State Police website and the PA.gov criminal history page.
PATCH gives a summary of statewide criminal history. The UJS Portal gives docket-level detail for specific cases. Both are useful, but they answer different questions. Use PATCH when you need a broad statewide history. Use the UJS Portal when you need the details of a specific Erie case including charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes.
Public Access and Right-to-Know in Erie
Erie criminal court records fall under the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System rather than the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. The Public Access Policy (Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509) governs what court records are available and how to request them. Most dockets and filings in adult criminal cases are open to the public. Juvenile records, sealed cases, and materials restricted by court order are not.
To request Erie criminal court records in writing, contact the Clerk of Courts Bureau at (814) 451-6250 or visit the Erie County Courthouse during business hours. Identify the record by case number, defendant name, or other specifics so staff can locate the correct file. The Clerk's office maintains, dockets, and indexes all criminal records for Erie County, making it the definitive source for court documents from the city.
For Erie County government records outside the court system, the Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101) applies. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov explains how to submit a Right-to-Know request and what records are covered. If you are unsure whether a specific record is a court record or a government agency record, the Office of Open Records can help clarify.
Note: Records sealed under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law (18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1) will not appear in public docket searches through the UJS Portal. If a case you are looking for does not appear, it may have been automatically sealed or expunged by court order. Contact the Clerk of Courts Bureau to ask whether a case exists with restricted access.
Erie County Criminal Court Records
Erie is the county seat of Erie County, and all criminal cases originating in the city are processed through the Erie County Court of Common Pleas. For a full overview of the county court structure, clerk office contacts, and additional record access resources, visit the Erie County criminal court records page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Criminal court records in other Pennsylvania cities are handled through their respective county court systems. Select a nearby city to find records access information for that area.