Bedford County Criminal Court Records
Bedford County criminal court records are kept by the Clerk of Courts at the Bedford County Courthouse on South Juliana Street in Bedford, Pennsylvania. Bedford County is part of the 39th Judicial District, which it shares with Franklin County. All felony and misdemeanor criminal cases are heard by the Court of Common Pleas. You can search Bedford County criminal court records online through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal or visit the courthouse to request copies in person. This guide explains how to access and obtain these records.
Bedford County Quick Facts
Bedford County Clerk of Courts
The Bedford County Clerk of Courts maintains all official criminal court records for cases heard in the Court of Common Pleas. The office is located at 200 S. Juliana Street in Bedford. Records include every document filed in a criminal case from the initial complaint through sentencing and any appeals. Staff can help you search for records by case number or defendant name and can process requests for plain or certified copies.
In-person visits are the most direct way to access Bedford County criminal court records. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff will direct you to a public access terminal or assist with your request. Under Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509, there is no charge to view records at the courthouse. Copy fees apply only when you take printed copies. Mail requests are accepted at the address below. Include the case number or defendant name, your contact information, and whether you need a standard or certified copy.
| Office | Bedford County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 S. Juliana Street, Bedford, PA 15522 |
| Phone | (814) 623-4809 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Bedford County Prothonotary handles civil division matters and can be reached at (814) 623-4810. Bedford County implemented PACFile for criminal case electronic filing effective February 1, 2024. This allows attorneys to file documents and access case records electronically through ujsportal.pacourts.us.
Bedford County and the 39th Judicial District
Bedford County shares the 39th Judicial District with Franklin County. This means both counties operate under the same judicial administration. Each county still has its own Clerk of Courts and maintains its own case files locally. Criminal cases filed in Bedford County are heard at the Bedford County Courthouse. Cases from Franklin County are heard in Chambersburg.
The shared district structure does not affect how you search for Bedford County records. The UJS Portal treats each county separately. When you search for a Bedford County case, results will be specific to filings in Bedford County. If you are looking for records from Franklin County, you would search that county separately on the portal.
Note: If you are uncertain which county holds the records you need, the UJS Portal allows you to search by defendant name across all counties at once, which can help you determine where a case was filed.
Searching Bedford County Criminal Court Records Online
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal is free to use and covers Bedford County criminal court records. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us and choose "Common Pleas Courts" to search felony and misdemeanor cases. Choose "Magisterial District Courts" for summary offenses and preliminary hearing records. Enter a defendant name, case number, or Offense Tracking Number.
Search results display the full docket sheet for each case found. The docket lists every document in the case file, every court appearance, charge details, bail conditions, assigned judge, and final disposition. This gives you a complete timeline of the case. The portal is regularly updated by the Pennsylvania court system. To get copies of the actual documents listed on the docket, contact the Bedford County Clerk of Courts or visit the courthouse.
The UJS Portal gives public access to Bedford County criminal court dockets, allowing anyone to check case status, charges, and court history online.
Docket searches on the UJS Portal are free, and results include all filing activity for Bedford County criminal cases going back many years.
The statewide PA Courts website at pacourts.us provides information on how the portal works and links to resources for understanding Pennsylvania court records.
What Bedford County Criminal Court Records Include
Bedford County criminal court records document every stage of a criminal case. They begin when a criminal complaint is filed or an arrest is made. They continue through arraignment, preliminary hearings, pre-trial motions, any trial proceedings, sentencing, and post-sentence actions. Every step creates a document that the Clerk of Courts keeps on file.
A typical Bedford County case file includes the criminal complaint and probable cause affidavit, arraignment and bail documents, pre-trial motion filings and court orders, plea agreement if entered, trial or guilty plea hearing transcript, sentencing order, and any appeal filings. The docket sheet available through the UJS Portal lists all of these documents by title and date. To read the full text of any document, visit the courthouse or submit a copy request to the Clerk of Courts.
Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, the Pennsylvania Public Access Policy limits what personal information appears in public court filings. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver's license numbers are excluded from public documents. All other case information is generally open to the public. Expunged records and records sealed under the Clean Slate Law are removed from public search results.
Criminal History Background Checks in Bedford County
PATCH is the Pennsylvania State Police system for statewide criminal history checks. It covers arrests and convictions from Bedford County and all other Pennsylvania counties. The standard fee is $22. You can request a check at epatch.pa.gov. Results are usually available quickly for online requests.
Individuals checking their own record pay $20. Volunteers may be eligible for a free check. The PATCH helpline is available at 1-888-783-7972 for questions about the process. Additional information is available at pa.gov. Criminal history records in Pennsylvania are governed by CHRIA at 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183, which controls how records are collected, retained, and accessed.
The PA Courts site provides links to statewide court resources, background check tools, and information relevant to accessing Bedford County criminal court records.
The official courts site at pacourts.us links to the UJS Portal and statewide criminal record resources for all Pennsylvania counties including Bedford.
Public Access and Record Sealing in Bedford County
Bedford County criminal court records are public by default. The Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 supports the public's right to view government records. Any member of the public can search and view criminal court records at the Bedford County Courthouse without paying a fee and without stating a reason. Under Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509, courts cannot charge for simple viewing of records.
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law at 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1 allows for automatic sealing of qualifying misdemeanor convictions. Second and third-degree misdemeanors carrying sentences under two years are eligible for automatic sealing after seven consecutive conviction-free years. This process happens through the court system without requiring the individual to file anything. Once a record is sealed, it no longer appears in public UJS Portal results or PATCH searches available to most people.
Petition-based sealing under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 covers some other offenses not included in automatic sealing. Expungement is available in specific circumstances, such as when an arrest did not lead to conviction. Both sealing and expungement petitions are filed with the Bedford County Court of Common Pleas. The Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov can assist if you believe a records request was improperly handled.
Nearby Counties
Bedford County is located in south-central Pennsylvania and borders several other counties. Each neighboring county has its own Clerk of Courts and maintains separate records in the UJS Portal.