Bedford County Criminal Records Database
Bedford County criminal records are maintained by the combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office at the Bedford County Courthouse in Bedford, Pennsylvania. Bedford County is part of the 39th Judicial District, which it shares with Fulton County. The Court of Common Pleas handles all felony and misdemeanor criminal cases for the county. Residents can search Bedford County criminal dockets online for free through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal or visit the courthouse on South Juliana Street for in-person access to court files.
Bedford County Quick Facts
Bedford County Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary
Bedford County operates a combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office. Kathy L. Brown serves as the official for both functions, handling both civil and criminal court records from one location at the Bedford County Courthouse. This combined structure is common in Pennsylvania's smaller counties and makes it straightforward for residents to access both civil and criminal records through a single office visit or phone call.
The criminal division of this combined office maintains all felony and misdemeanor case files for the Court of Common Pleas, summary appeal records from Magisterial District Courts, bail bond records, juvenile case files (with restricted access), and post-conviction filings. The office also handles historical records dating back to 1771, when Bedford County was established, making it one of Pennsylvania's older counties with an extensive historical archive.
The Bedford County Government website at bedfordcounty.net lists county offices, department contacts, and information about accessing public records in Bedford County. Visit the site before your courthouse trip to confirm current hours and procedures.
The Bedford County Government website provides directory information for county offices including the combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts handling criminal records in Bedford.
The Bedford County portal links to court office contacts, county departments, and resources for public records requests in the historic courthouse in downtown Bedford.
| Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts |
Kathy L. Brown Bedford County Courthouse 200 South Juliana Street Bedford, PA 15522 Phone: 814-623-4833 Fax: 814-623-8523 Email: kbrown@bedfordcounty.net |
|---|---|
| Judicial District | 39th Judicial District (shared with Fulton County) |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | bedfordcounty.net |
The 39th Judicial District
Bedford County shares the 39th Judicial District with neighboring Fulton County. This arrangement is common in Pennsylvania, where smaller counties sometimes share a judicial district to pool resources and maintain a functioning Court of Common Pleas. Criminal cases from both Bedford and Fulton counties are handled by the judges of the 39th Judicial District. Each county still maintains its own courthouse and clerk's office for filing and record storage purposes.
Cases originating in Bedford County go to the Bedford County Courthouse on South Juliana Street. Cases from Fulton County go to the Fulton County Courthouse in McConnellsburg. The UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us treats each county separately, so searches filtered to Bedford County will show only Bedford filings even though the courts share a judicial district number.
When searching for Bedford County criminal records, always specify Bedford as the county in the UJS Portal to avoid pulling up Fulton County results. If you are unsure which county a case was filed in, run a name-based search without a county filter to check both counties at once.
Searching Bedford County Criminal Records
The Pennsylvania UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is the free starting point for any Bedford County criminal record search. The portal covers all Pennsylvania courts including Bedford County's Magisterial District Courts and the Court of Common Pleas. Search by participant name or docket number. Results show case status, charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing information. Dockets typically update within 24 to 48 hours of court activity.
Bedford County uses the INFOCON subscription system for attorney access to civil dockets. Criminal dockets, however, remain freely available through the UJS Portal to the general public. Criminal record searches through the combined clerk's office cost approximately $10 to $15 per name. This fee covers staff time for a more formal county-level search if needed beyond the self-service UJS Portal option.
In-person requests at the Bedford County Courthouse require valid photo identification. Provide as much case information as possible: defendant name, approximate filing date, and case number if available. Staff can search by name or docket number and provide document copies for $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5 to $10 depending on the document. Mail requests are accepted with payment by check or money order, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and written details about the records you need. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days for mail requests.
Note: Passport services are available at the Bedford County combined clerk's office. If you are visiting for criminal records and need passport services, you can handle both at the same location in Bedford.
Contents of Bedford County Criminal Court Records
Bedford County criminal dockets follow the standard Pennsylvania format. Each case is assigned a docket number beginning with CP-05-CR (05 being the Bedford County code). The docket is a complete chronological record of every step in a criminal case, beginning with the initial filing and running through sentencing and any post-conviction proceedings that follow.
A typical Bedford County criminal record includes the defendant's full name, date of birth, and address at the time of arrest. All charges appear with their Pennsylvania Crimes Code citations, including the offense grade (felony degree or misdemeanor grade). The record shows the arrest date and agency, the outcome of the preliminary hearing at the Magisterial District Court level, the plea entered at formal arraignment, all motions filed and ruled on, and the final case disposition. Dispositions include not guilty verdicts, guilty pleas, dismissals, nolle prosequi entries, Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD), and other resolutions available under Pennsylvania law.
Common items found in Bedford County criminal court records include:
- Charges with 18 Pa.C.S. statutory citations
- Bail amount and conditions set at arraignment
- Preliminary hearing date and outcome
- Defense attorney and prosecutor names
- Judge assigned to the case
- Sentencing details: incarceration, probation, fines, and restitution
- Financial obligation balances and payment history
Bedford County criminal records are public under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Expunged records and matters sealed under Clean Slate are not available for public inspection. Juvenile records have restricted access. The clerk's office retains felony records permanently, misdemeanor records for 20 years, and summary offense records for 3 to 7 years.
Statewide Criminal History Checks for Bedford County
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system provides statewide background checks that include Bedford County records. PATCH is operated by the Pennsylvania State Police and available at epatch.pa.gov. The standard fee is $22.00 per check, with an optional notarization for $5.00 more. About 85 percent of "No Record" checks return results immediately. Checks matching an existing record go to manual review and take up to two to four weeks.
PATCH is governed by 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91, also known as the Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA). Under 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91 (CHRIA), individuals have the right to review their own criminal history records and challenge inaccurate information.
Bedford County volunteers at nonprofits, churches, and community organizations can obtain free checks using PATCH Form SP 4-164A. This form is for volunteer positions only and cannot be notarized. Individuals who want to review their own PATCH record can do so for $20.00 by submitting Form SP 4-170 by mail to the State Police Central Repository with a fingerprint card for identity verification. Questions about PATCH can be directed to 1-888-QUERY-PA (1-888-783-7972).
Expungement and Clean Slate in Bedford County
Bedford County residents with criminal records may qualify for expungement or automatic sealing under Pennsylvania law. Traditional expungement under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 requires filing a petition with the Court of Common Pleas. The petition is submitted through the Bedford County combined clerk's office on South Juliana Street. Qualifying situations include arrests that did not lead to conviction, summary convictions after five years without new criminal activity, and specific cases involving ARD completion.
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law provides automatic sealing for eligible non-violent misdemeanor convictions once ten years pass from the conviction date, the person has no new arrests during that period, and all court financial obligations are paid. The combined effect of Act 56 of 2018, Act 83 of 2020, and Clean Slate 3.0 (HB 689 of 2023) means a growing number of Bedford County residents may qualify for automatic sealing without needing to file a petition. Once sealed, records no longer appear in public PATCH checks or the UJS Portal. Access is preserved for law enforcement purposes.
The Pennsylvania Courts website and pa.gov both provide information about the expungement process and eligibility criteria. Bedford County residents with limited income may also qualify for free legal help from Pennsylvania Legal Aid organizations, which can assist with preparing and filing expungement petitions at the Bedford County courthouse.
Inmate and Corrections Information for Bedford County
Individuals sentenced in Bedford County to state incarceration are housed within the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections system. The DOC Inmate Locator at inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov allows free searches by last name or DOC inmate number. The database updates daily and shows each person's current facility assignment, minimum release date, maximum release date, and parole status. This is the primary resource for locating individuals serving state sentences from Bedford County cases.
For individuals serving shorter sentences at the Bedford County Correctional Facility, contact the Bedford County Sheriff's Office or correctional facility directly. The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons handles commutation and pardon applications for state sentences. Visit bop.pa.gov for information about the pardon process, which offers another avenue for Bedford County residents with state convictions who may not qualify for expungement.
Nearby Counties
Bedford County sits in south-central Pennsylvania. Several neighboring counties share borders and their residents are served by separate courthouses. Bedford County is part of the same judicial district as Fulton County, but all other neighbors have their own separate judicial districts.