Find Somerset County Criminal Records
Somerset County criminal court records are on file at the Clerk of Courts in Somerset. The county seat of Somerset serves a population of about 74,000 in southwestern Pennsylvania. All felony, misdemeanor, and summary appeal cases are handled by the Court of Common Pleas at 111 E. Union Street. The 27th Judicial District covers Somerset County. You can search Somerset County dockets for free through the UJS Portal or visit the courthouse to review and request copies of case files.
Somerset County Quick Facts
Somerset County Clerk of Courts Records Office
The Clerk of Courts at 111 E. Union Street in Somerset is the central repository for all criminal case files in Somerset County. This office handles filings at every stage of a criminal case. It stores complaints, court orders, sentencing documents, and all related paperwork. Staff can look up cases by defendant name or docket number and provide copies for a fee. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Somerset County's courthouse serves communities throughout the county, including the borough of Somerset, Johnstown's southern suburbs, and rural townships. The county spans a large geographic area, and cases can arise from many different parts of the region. If you are not certain whether a case was filed in Somerset County or a neighboring county, searching the UJS Portal first can save time. The portal will show you which county handled each case and point you to the right clerk.
| Office |
Somerset County Clerk of Courts 111 E. Union Street Somerset, PA 15501 Phone: (814) 445-1447 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Court | Somerset County Court of Common Pleas, 27th Judicial District |
Note: Always call (814) 445-1447 before mailing a records request to confirm current procedures and any fees that may apply.
Online Docket Search for Somerset County Cases
The free UJS Portal gives you instant access to Somerset County criminal dockets. Search by a person's name or a specific docket number. Results pull up docket sheets showing charges with statute citations, all bail orders, every court event with its date, and the final disposition. This tool works for both current and resolved cases.
The portal is maintained by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) and reflects what the courts have entered into the system. Because entries are made by court staff at each stage of a case, the docket sheet gives a reliable record of the case history. You can search Somerset County cases alongside cases from any other Pennsylvania county in the same session, which is useful when a person has cases in multiple counties. Print or save docket sheets directly from the portal for your records.
Somerset County Criminal Docket Sheet Contents
Each Somerset County criminal docket sheet covers the full history of a case. At the top, you find the defendant's name, the case number, the originating agency, and the list of charges. Each charge includes the statute number and the grade of the offense, such as felony first degree or misdemeanor second degree. Bail information comes next, including the type of bail and any conditions imposed.
The body of the docket sheet lists entries in date order. Each entry notes what happened, such as a hearing held, a motion filed, or a continuance granted. The final entries show the disposition. For a conviction, you see the verdict or plea and the sentence. For a dismissal, you see which charges were dropped and why. This information is governed by 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 through § 9183, which sets out who can access criminal history records in Pennsylvania and how they must be maintained.
- Defendant name and identifying information
- Charges with grade and statute
- Bail and release conditions
- Hearing and trial dates
- Verdict, plea, and sentencing
- Appeals and post-sentence motions
Records retention periods in Pennsylvania are 75 years for felonies, 25 years for misdemeanors, and 7 years for summary offenses. These periods apply to Somerset County as with all Pennsylvania counties.
PATCH Criminal History Search Covering Somerset County
The Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system gives you a statewide criminal history check. This includes any records submitted by Somerset County courts to the statewide repository. A PATCH search costs $22 per request. Visit epatch.pa.gov to submit a request online or call 1-888-783-7972 for help. You need the person's full name and date of birth to submit a request.
PATCH is a good tool when you want a broad statewide overview. It does not replace the UJS Portal for looking at specific case details. If a case was just filed or recently concluded, it may take some time before it is reflected in the PATCH database. For the most current and detailed Somerset County case information, use both the portal and the Clerk of Courts together. More guidance is available at the Pennsylvania State Police background check page.
Nearby Counties
Somerset County is in southwestern Pennsylvania. Neighboring counties each have their own courts and clerk offices for criminal records.