Criminal Records in Armstrong County, PA

Armstrong County criminal records are maintained by the combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office at the Armstrong County Courthouse in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The Court of Common Pleas of the 33rd Judicial District handles all felony and serious misdemeanor cases filed in Armstrong County. Residents and researchers can access Armstrong County criminal dockets for free through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal or visit the courthouse in person for document copies and record searches.

Armstrong County Court Records Office

Armstrong County operates a combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office. This single office handles both civil and criminal court records, which simplifies the process for people searching for records in Kittanning. The combined office is located at the Armstrong County Courthouse and serves as the official repository for all Court of Common Pleas records in Armstrong County.

The criminal division of the combined office maintains all felony and misdemeanor case files, summary appeals from Magisterial District Courts, bail bond records, and post-conviction proceedings. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Whether you are looking for a felony case or a misdemeanor file, this is the office to contact for Armstrong County criminal records.

The Armstrong County Government website at co.armstrong.pa.us provides information about county offices, court services, and general resources for residents seeking public records in Kittanning.

The Armstrong County government site provides contacts for the combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office along with other county departments in Kittanning.

How to Search Armstrong County Criminal Records

The fastest way to find Armstrong County criminal records is through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. The UJS Portal provides free public access to criminal dockets for all Pennsylvania courts, including Armstrong County's Court of Common Pleas and all local Magisterial District Court offices. You can search by participant name, docket number, OTN, or complaint number. Results show case status, charges, hearings, dispositions, and sentencing details.

Armstrong County uses the INFOCON subscription system for electronic civil docket access for attorneys and frequent users. Criminal dockets, however, remain freely accessible through the UJS Portal without any subscription. This applies to all Armstrong County criminal cases handled by the Court of Common Pleas.

For in-person access to Armstrong County criminal records, visit the combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office at the Armstrong County Courthouse in Kittanning. Bring valid photo identification and whatever case details you have available. Staff can search by defendant name or case number and provide document copies for $0.25 per page. Certified copies carry an additional fee. Mail requests are also accepted with written case details, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment by check or money order.

Criminal record searches in Armstrong County are available for approximately $10 to $15 per name search. Processing times vary: in-person requests for readily available records are often handled the same day, while archived records or mail requests typically take 3 to 10 business days.

Note: The UJS Portal shows docket entries but does not allow full document downloads. To obtain copies of actual pleadings, motions, or orders from an Armstrong County case, contact the courthouse directly.

Armstrong County Criminal Court Records Overview

Criminal dockets from Armstrong County's Court of Common Pleas follow the standard Pennsylvania format. Each case gets a docket number beginning with CP-03-CR (03 being Armstrong County's code). The docket records every court event from the preliminary arraignment through sentencing and any post-conviction proceedings. Cases originating from Magisterial District Courts in Armstrong County get transferred to the Common Pleas level once they are held for court at a preliminary hearing.

A typical Armstrong County criminal docket includes the defendant's name, date of birth, and identifying information; all charges with Pennsylvania Crimes Code citations; the date of arrest and arresting agency; bail amount set at arraignment; preliminary hearing outcome; entry of plea at formal arraignment; all motions and court rulings during the case; final disposition (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, ARD, nolle prosequi); and complete sentencing information. For convicted defendants, the record shows minimum and maximum incarceration terms, probation conditions, fine amounts, court costs, and restitution orders.

Armstrong County criminal records are public under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Records that have been expunged by court order or automatically sealed under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law are no longer accessible to the public. Felony records are maintained permanently. Misdemeanor records are kept for 20 years, and summary offense records are retained for 3 to 7 years per state schedules.

Statewide Criminal History Checks in Armstrong County

Anyone in Armstrong County who needs a statewide criminal background check can use the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. PATCH is maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police and covers all of Pennsylvania, including all records from Armstrong County courts and law enforcement. Access PATCH online at epatch.pa.gov. The fee for a standard check is $22.00, with an optional notarization for $5.00 more.

PATCH is governed by 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91, the Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA). About 85 percent of requests come back as "No Record" immediately. Requests that match an existing record go to manual review and can take two to four weeks. Results are mailed after staff review is complete.

Volunteers in Armstrong County can get free PATCH checks using Form SP 4-164A. This form is specifically for volunteer positions and cannot be notarized. Mail requests for paper PATCH checks go to: Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository-164, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758.

For individuals who want to see their own record, Form SP 4-170 allows an Individual Access and Review submission by mail with a fingerprint card. The fee is $20.00. This lets Armstrong County residents confirm exactly what information the State Police maintain about them.

Clearing Criminal Records in Armstrong County

Pennsylvania offers both judicial expungement and automatic sealing through Clean Slate for Armstrong County residents with criminal records. The traditional expungement route requires filing a petition with the Court of Common Pleas under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122. Qualifying situations include arrests where no conviction resulted, summary offense convictions after five years without new arrests, and certain other categories. The petition is filed through the combined clerk's office in Kittanning.

Clean Slate, enacted as Act 56 of 2018, provides automatic sealing for eligible non-violent misdemeanor convictions once ten years pass from the conviction date without any new arrest, and all court costs and fines are paid. Act 83 of 2020 and the subsequent Clean Slate 3.0 expansion (HB 689 of 2023) broadened the categories of records that qualify. Once sealed, the Armstrong County record disappears from public-facing PATCH checks and the UJS Portal. The sealing does not destroy the record; it simply removes public access while preserving the file for law enforcement purposes.

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records and the Pennsylvania Courts website provide guidance on the expungement process. Pennsylvania Legal Aid organizations can assist Armstrong County residents who qualify for free legal services with expungement petitions. Expungement information is also available through pa.gov.

Locating Inmates from Armstrong County

Individuals convicted in Armstrong County and sentenced to state incarceration are housed in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections system. The DOC Inmate Locator at inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov allows free searches by last name or inmate number. The locator updates daily and shows the current facility, earliest and maximum release dates, and parole or supervision status for each incarcerated individual.

Individuals serving county sentences may be held at the Armstrong County Jail. For information about county-held inmates, contact the Armstrong County Sheriff's Office or jail directly. The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons at bop.pa.gov handles applications for pardons and commutations of state sentences, which is a separate process from expungement available to Armstrong County residents with state convictions.

Nearby Counties

Armstrong County is located in western Pennsylvania and borders several other counties. Criminal records from those neighboring counties are maintained by their own court records offices and are searchable through the UJS Portal.

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