Adams County Criminal Records
Adams County criminal records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the Adams County Courthouse in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Court of Common Pleas of the 51st Judicial District handles all felony and misdemeanor criminal cases filed in Adams County. Residents and others searching for Adams County criminal history information can use the Pennsylvania UJS Portal for free online docket access or visit the courthouse in person to view case files and request certified copies of court documents.
Adams County Quick Facts
Adams County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts in Adams County is Kelly Lawver. This office serves as the official custodian of all criminal court records for the Court of Common Pleas. The office handles felony and serious misdemeanor cases, maintains criminal dockets, processes appeals from Magisterial District Courts, and manages bail bond records. Staff can assist you with locating case files and obtaining copies of court documents.
The Clerk of Courts operates separately from the Prothonotary in Adams County. Criminal records are filed with the Clerk of Courts, while civil matters go through Beverly Boyd at the Prothonotary's office. This means you need to contact the correct office based on what type of record you are looking for. Both offices are located at the Adams County Courthouse at 117 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg.
The Adams County Government website at adamscountypa.gov provides information about court offices, hours, and county services. Visiting the site before your trip to the courthouse can save time and help you prepare the right documents.
The Adams County Government website lists contact information for all county offices including the Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary.
The Adams County portal links to court offices, county departments, and resources for requesting public records in Gettysburg.
| Clerk of Courts |
Kelly Lawver Adams County Courthouse 117 Baltimore Street, Room 103 Gettysburg, PA 17325 Phone: 717-337-9806 Fax: 717-334-9333 |
|---|---|
| Prothonotary |
Beverly Boyd 117 Baltimore Street, Room 104 Gettysburg, PA 17325 Phone: 717-337-9834 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | adamscountypa.gov |
Searching Adams County Criminal Records
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal provides free public access to Adams County criminal dockets. You can search by participant name, docket number, OTN (Offense Tracking Number), or complaint number. The portal covers all court levels including Magisterial District Courts and the Court of Common Pleas. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us and select Adams County from the county filter to begin your search.
Criminal dockets on the UJS Portal show case status, charges filed, court hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing information. You can view the full docket entry history for any Adams County criminal case going back to when the county's records were digitized. The system updates within 24 to 48 hours of court proceedings. Note that juvenile cases, sealed records, and Protection from Abuse filings are not available through the public portal.
For in-person searches, visit the Clerk of Courts office at Room 103 in the Adams County Courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID and any case details you have, such as a defendant's full name and approximate filing date. Staff can search by name or case number and provide copies for a fee of $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $6.25 per certification plus the copy fee.
Mail requests are also accepted. Include the defendant's name, case number if known, the specific documents you need, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment by check or money order. Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days for mail requests in Adams County.
Note: The UJS Portal is free to use for basic docket information, but actual court documents must be obtained in person or by mail from the Clerk of Courts in Gettysburg.
What Adams County Criminal Records Show
A criminal court docket in Adams County contains a detailed record of everything that happened in a case from the initial filing through final disposition. Each case gets assigned a docket number in the format CP-01-CR-XXXXXX-YYYY, where 01 is the county code for Adams County. The docket tracks charges with Pennsylvania Crimes Code citations, hearing dates, motions filed, plea information, verdicts, and sentencing orders.
Dockets also include the defendant's full legal name, date of birth, address on file, and physical description. Arrest date and arresting agency appear near the top of the record. For cases that went to sentencing, you will find the minimum and maximum incarceration terms, probation conditions, fines, court costs, and restitution orders. Financial account balances showing outstanding court obligations are also part of the public record in Adams County.
The key items found in most Adams County criminal court records include:
- Charges filed with statutory citations (18 Pa.C.S. sections)
- Offense grade (felony, misdemeanor, or summary)
- Preliminary hearing date and outcome
- Case disposition (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, ARD, nolle prosequi)
- Sentence details including incarceration and probation terms
- Attorney of record and assigned judge
- Court costs, fines, and restitution ordered
Adams County criminal records are generally public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Expunged records and records sealed under Clean Slate are no longer accessible to the public. Juvenile records have restricted access under the Juvenile Act. Anyone may request public criminal records without needing to show a specific reason or be a party to the case.
Adams County Criminal Records Statewide Background Checks
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History system, known as PATCH, is the primary tool for statewide criminal background checks. PATCH is maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police and covers arrests and court dispositions from all Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies and courts, including Adams County. You can access PATCH at epatch.pa.gov. A standard check costs $22.00 per request, with notarization available for an additional $5.00.
PATCH results for Adams County residents show the same underlying records as the court system but present them in a consolidated format. A "No Record" result comes back immediately for about 85 percent of requests. When identifiers match an existing record, the request goes to manual review by State Police technicians, which can take two to four weeks. PATCH is governed by 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91, the Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA). Criminal history information obtained through PATCH is subject to specific rules about who may access it and for what lawful purposes it may be used.
Volunteers from Adams County organizations can obtain free background checks through PATCH using Form SP 4-164A. Individual residents who want to review their own record can submit Form SP 4-170 by mail with a fingerprint card to the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository at 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The fee for individual access and review is $20.00.
Note: PATCH covers only Pennsylvania records. Separate federal and out-of-state checks are needed for a complete background screening picture for Adams County applicants.
Adams County Criminal Records Expungement and Clean Slate
Pennsylvania law provides two main paths for removing criminal records from public view in Adams County. The traditional expungement process requires filing a petition with the Court of Common Pleas. Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, expungement is available for arrests that did not result in conviction, summary offenses after five years with no further arrests, and certain other limited situations. The petition goes through the Adams County Clerk of Courts and requires a court hearing.
The Clean Slate Act, passed as Act 56 of 2018 and expanded by Act 83 of 2020, created automatic sealing for eligible convictions. Non-violent misdemeanor convictions and qualifying summary offenses are automatically sealed after a ten-year conviction-free period and payment of all fines. Clean Slate 3.0 (HB 689 of 2023) further expanded the categories of offenses eligible for sealing. Sealed records under Clean Slate do not appear on PATCH checks or the public UJS Portal. You can find expungement information and forms at pa.gov.
Once a record is expunged or sealed in Adams County, the court order goes to the Clerk of Courts, who removes the record from public access. The Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository also receives notice to update PATCH accordingly. If you believe your record qualifies for expungement under Pennsylvania Courts guidelines, consulting a local attorney or legal aid organization can help you understand your options.
Magisterial District Courts in Adams County
Adams County has nine Magisterial District Court (MDJ) offices that handle preliminary arraignments, preliminary hearings, summary offenses, and minor civil matters. Each MDJ covers specific townships and boroughs within Adams County. Criminal cases that are held for trial at the MDJ level move up to the Court of Common Pleas, where the Clerk of Courts takes over.
Major MDJ offices serving Adams County include MDJ 51-1-01 at 272 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg (717-334-2011), covering Gettysburg Borough and surrounding townships. MDJ 51-1-02 serves Straban Township, Butler Township, and nearby areas. MDJ 51-1-04 and MDJ 51-1-05 are based at 6372 York Road in New Oxford (717-624-2162 and 717-624-2146 respectively), covering the eastern part of Adams County. MDJ dockets for all of these offices are searchable through the UJS Portal along with Common Pleas records.
Summary offenses, traffic citations, and civil claims under $12,000 start and sometimes end at the MDJ level. If you are looking for a minor traffic or summary case from Adams County, search the MDJ dockets in the UJS Portal using the participant name search. MDJ records show the same basic information as Common Pleas records for the matters those courts handle.
Adams County Inmate and Correctional Records
Individuals sentenced in Adams County to state prison are housed in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections system. You can search for current state inmates and parolees using the DOC Inmate Locator at inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov. The locator updates daily and shows current facility, minimum and maximum release dates, and parole status. Search by last name or inmate number (DOC number).
The Adams County Prison at 121 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg holds individuals awaiting trial and those serving shorter county sentences. For information about individuals held in the county jail, contact the Adams County Prison directly. The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections also maintains a Board of Pardons process for those seeking commutation of sentence or pardon. Information about the pardon process is available at bop.pa.gov.
Nearby Counties
Adams County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. Criminal records for residents of those counties are maintained by their respective Clerk of Courts offices. Each county is part of a different judicial district with its own courthouse and procedures.