Adams County Criminal History Records
Adams County criminal history records are held by the Clerk of Courts at the Adams County Courthouse in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The county is part of the 51st Judicial District and serves a largely rural region in south-central Pennsylvania. Residents and researchers can search criminal history through local court offices, the statewide UJS Portal online, or the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History system run by the State Police. This page explains how to find and request criminal records in Adams County.
Adams County Quick Facts
Adams County Criminal History Records Overview
Adams County court records provide information on trial outcomes and judicial proceedings in the county, including criminal and civil cases. These records are considered public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) and the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. They may include judgments, docket entries, motions and pleas, sentencing information, arraignments, case filings, court orders, and evidence submitted during hearings.
Not all records are open to the public. Adams County criminal records that are exempt from public access include adoption records, juvenile records, mental health records, domestic-related cases, sealed and expunged records, and grand jury proceedings. If a record has been sealed by court order, it will not appear in standard searches through any public channel.
The Adams County Common Pleas Court data retrieval system does have update delays. There can be at least a 24-hour lag between a court filing or judicial action and when that data shows up online. Users who need verified information should visit the court in person or send a written request to the Clerk of Courts.
How to Search Adams County Criminal Records
There are two main ways to look up Adams County criminal history. The first is online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This free resource lets anyone search docket sheets by participant name, docket number, or other case identifiers. It covers Courts of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts across Pennsylvania, including Adams County.
The second option is the Adams County Common Pleas Court record search portal at adamscountycourts.com. This system shows case records with docket numbers that may contain a letter or number for the court, a two-digit year, the case type, a case number, and judge initials. When viewing a case, you can see upcoming court hearings, dates, parties, and case numbers.
The official Adams County court dockets page at adamscountycourt.org is another resource for accessing court record information and understanding what docket entries mean.
Adams County criminal court records are searchable through the online portal at adamscountycourts.com. The site provides background on how to read dockets and what each docket entry contains.
The Adams County Court Record Search portal allows public access to case dockets and criminal history records without visiting the courthouse.
For in-person requests, visit the Clerk of Courts office at the Adams County Courthouse, 117 Baltimore Street, 4th Floor, Gettysburg, PA 17325, during regular business hours. Bring valid identification and be prepared to pay copy fees where applicable.
Note: Data on the online portal may not reflect filings made within the past 24 hours or more. Reliance on the online system is at the user's own risk.
Adams County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts (Criminal Division) is the official record keeper for criminal cases in Adams County. The office is responsible for maintaining all criminal dockets, processing appeals to the Commonwealth and Superior Courts, handling bail, and collecting court-imposed fines and costs. It also administers oaths and reports sentencing dispositions to PennDOT when applicable.
| Office | Adams County Clerk of Courts (Criminal) |
|---|---|
| Address | Adams County Courthouse, 117 Baltimore St, 4th Floor, Gettysburg, PA 17325 |
| Phone | (717) 337-9806 |
| Fax | (717) 334-9333 |
| Website | adamscountycourt.org |
The Prothonotary, which handles civil records, is located at the same address. Phone for the Prothonotary is (717) 337-9834. For Right-to-Know requests, contact Sean A. Mott, Esq., Assistant Solicitor, 117 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325, Phone: (717) 337-5911, or email openrecord@adamscountypa.gov.
The Adams County court dockets page provides guidance on locating case records and understanding the county's criminal court process.
PATCH Criminal Background Checks in Adams County
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system is the official statewide method for obtaining certified criminal history records. PATCH is operated by the Pennsylvania State Police and is available to anyone through the website at epatch.pa.gov. It costs $22 per records check, which is non-refundable. The Adams County resource guide notes the same procedure: click "Submit a New Records Check," accept terms, select "Individual Request," provide the required information, and make payment online.
Mail requests are also accepted. Complete Form SP 4-164 and send it with the $22 fee to the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository - RCPU, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758. Mail requests take longer to process than online requests.
It is worth noting that docket sheet information from the UJS Portal or Adams County court websites should not be used in place of a PATCH criminal history background check. Only the Pennsylvania State Police can provide a certified criminal history record.
What Adams County Criminal Records Contain
A criminal history record from Adams County can contain several types of information. Court dockets typically show the case number, parties involved, presiding judge, and a sequence of filings and judicial actions. Beyond dockets, a full criminal record from the State Police may include arrest information, charges, case classifications, plea information, and sentencing details such as incarceration, probation, fines, costs, restitution, and community service requirements.
Records also note whether a case resulted in a conviction, acquittal, or dismissal. Active warrants, bench warrants, and Protection from Abuse orders may appear in certain searches. Offense history for both felony and misdemeanor convictions is typically included in a PATCH result. Summary offense dispositions from Magisterial District Courts are also part of the criminal background data held by the State Police.
Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and Adams County Records
Adams County court records are public under Section 3.0 of the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System and Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (RTKL). The RTKL, established by Act 3 of 2008 and effective January 1, 2009, gives residents the right to access most government records. Agencies must respond within five business days of receiving a written request. If no response comes within that time, the request is considered denied.
Under 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91, known as CHRIA (Criminal History Record Information Act), access to criminal history data is governed by specific rules on who can obtain records and for what purposes. CHRIA sets the framework for how criminal background information may be used.
Requests under RTKL for Adams County should be sent to the county's Right-to-Know Officer at 117 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Certain criminal investigative records are exempt from disclosure under Section 708(b)(16) of the RTKL, including active investigation materials, informant identities, and records that could compromise a prosecution.
Note: Appeals of denied RTK requests can be filed with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov.
Expungement of Criminal Records in Adams County
Pennsylvania law allows certain criminal records to be expunged or cleared under specific conditions. Expungement petitions must be filed with the Court of Common Pleas in Adams County. Once granted, the record is removed from public access in court databases and from the State Police criminal history repository.
Common grounds for expungement include summary offense convictions where the person has been free from arrest for five years, charges that resulted in acquittal or dismissal, and certain arrests that never led to conviction. Under 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91, the Clerk of Courts is responsible for processing expungement orders and notifying the State Police to update their records accordingly.
The Adams County Clerk of Courts office handles expungement processing as part of its standard duties. Individuals seeking to clear their criminal background should consult with an attorney or contact the Clerk's office at (717) 337-9806 for procedural guidance.
Adams County Magisterial District Courts
Adams County has four Magisterial District Courts that handle the first level of criminal proceedings. These courts preside over summary offenses, preliminary hearings for misdemeanors and felonies, DUI cases, and minor civil claims. Records from Magisterial District Courts are accessible through the UJS Web Portal at no cost.
The four Magisterial District Courts in Adams County are located at the following addresses:
- MDJ 51-3-01: 34 E Middle St, Gettysburg, PA
- MDJ 51-3-02: 45D West Hanover St, Gettysburg, PA
- MDJ 51-3-03: 40 Church Rd, East Berlin, PA
- MDJ 51-3-04: 2267 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg, PA
Cases that begin in Magisterial District Courts and are certified to the Court of Common Pleas become part of the criminal record maintained by the Clerk of Courts. Dockets from both levels of court are searchable on the UJS Portal.
Nearby Counties
Adams County borders several Pennsylvania counties. You can search criminal history records for nearby counties using the links below.