Washington County Criminal Court Records
Washington County criminal court records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts in the city of Washington, Pennsylvania. This southwestern county serves a population of about 210,000 and sits just south of Allegheny County and Pittsburgh. The 27th Judicial District handles all felony, misdemeanor, and summary appeal cases for Washington County. The courthouse at 1 S. Main Street offers in-person access, and the county supports electronic filing through PACFile for the Criminal Division. You can also search dockets at no cost through the statewide UJS Portal.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Clerk of Courts Criminal Division
The Washington County Clerk of Courts is located at 1 S. Main Street, Suite 1004, in Washington, PA. This office manages all criminal case filings for the 27th Judicial District. The phone number is (724) 228-6828. Washington County has implemented e-filing through the PACFile system for its Criminal Division, making it one of a growing number of Pennsylvania counties that accept electronic submissions from attorneys.
E-filing through PACFile in Washington County is discretionary, meaning it is optional rather than mandatory for criminal filings. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can still file paper documents in person. For those who choose e-filing, PACFile is accessible through the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. E-filing is subject to limitations set by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC), so check current requirements before submitting electronically. The Washington County Criminal Division e-filing information page is at washingtoncourts.us.
| Office |
Washington County Clerk of Courts 1 S. Main Street, Suite 1004 Washington, PA 15301 Phone: (724) 228-6828 |
|---|---|
| E-Filing | Criminal Division E-Filing Information |
| Court | Washington County Court of Common Pleas, 27th Judicial District |
Note: E-filing in Washington County's Criminal Division is discretionary. Check with the Clerk of Courts or visit the Washington County courts website to confirm whether e-filing is available for your specific type of submission before proceeding.
Washington County Criminal Docket Search Online
The UJS Portal provides free access to Washington County criminal docket sheets. Search by defendant name or case number to find records. Each docket sheet shows the charges, bail information, all court event entries, and the final case outcome. Washington County's larger population means more cases are in the system compared to smaller rural counties, so searches may return multiple results for common names.
When searching Washington County records on the portal, narrowing your search with a date range or a more specific name can help reduce the results. The docket sheets show every significant step in a case from the initial filing through final disposition. For active cases, the docket reflects current status. For closed cases, it shows the complete history. Certified copies of documents require a visit to or request from the Clerk of Courts at Suite 1004 of the Washington County courthouse.
Washington County Criminal Record Types and Contents
Criminal cases in Washington County cover a wide range of offenses, consistent with a suburban and semi-rural county of its size. Felony cases include drug trafficking, robbery, assault, and other serious crimes. Misdemeanor cases cover DUI, simple assault, theft, and many other offenses. Summary appeals from district courts also come to Common Pleas. Washington County also borders Allegheny County, so cases sometimes involve activity across county lines.
Each Washington County criminal case file includes the criminal complaint or information, bail orders, all court motions and responses, and the sentencing documents. The docket sheet from the UJS Portal gives you a summary of all these events in chronological order. For original documents, contact the Clerk of Courts. Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 through § 9183, most criminal records in Washington County are public. Sealed or expunged records are not available through public searches.
- Criminal complaints and informations
- Bail and pretrial release orders
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Plea agreements and sentencing documents
- Post-sentence motions and appeals
Retention periods under Pennsylvania rules are 75 years for felony records, 25 years for misdemeanor records, and 7 years for summary offense records.
PATCH Statewide Search for Washington County
The PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov provides statewide criminal history covering Washington County and all 66 other Pennsylvania counties. Each search costs $22 and requires the person's full name and date of birth. The Pennsylvania State Police compile records from courts across the state into this central repository. Call 1-888-783-7972 for help submitting a PATCH request. This tool is useful for a broad statewide overview of a person's criminal history.
Washington County's larger population means a higher volume of records in both the UJS Portal and PATCH. When combined, these two tools give you the most complete picture of a person's criminal history in Pennsylvania. For very recent filings or newly resolved cases, the portal and the Washington County Clerk of Courts will have the freshest information. More details about criminal history access are at the Pennsylvania State Police background check page.
Sealed and Expunged Records in Washington County
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law at 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1 automates sealing of second and third degree misdemeanor convictions after seven years without a new conviction, where the sentence was under two years. This applies in Washington County as in all Pennsylvania counties. Sealed records do not appear in the UJS Portal or in PATCH searches. Courts in Washington County also grant petition-based expungements under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 for dismissed cases, acquittals, and qualifying summary convictions.
The Public Access Policy at 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 governs what court records are accessible to the public across all Pennsylvania courts, including Washington County. This policy sets out what can be viewed, copied, and searched. The Pennsylvania Open Records portal at openrecords.pa.gov provides guidance on rights-to-know requests and government record access under 65 P.S. § 67.101.
Nearby Counties
Washington County is in southwestern Pennsylvania and borders several major counties. Each has its own courts and clerk of courts for criminal records.