Criminal History Records in Armstrong County

Armstrong County criminal history records are kept by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The 33rd Judicial District serves the county, and its courts handle all criminal filings for this western Pennsylvania county. You can access Armstrong County criminal records online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System or visit the courthouse in person during regular business hours to search records and request copies.

Armstrong County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts

The combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office in Armstrong County handles both civil and criminal court records. Annette Bowser serves as Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts. The office mission is dedicated to maintaining accurate court records, promoting continuous improvement, and enhancing service delivery through training and technology.

The Prothonotary is the chief custodian of civil records for the Court of Common Pleas. Duties include assessing fees for document filings, maintaining civil dockets and indices, general notarizing, collecting and distributing state-mandated fees, and handling domestic relations records. The Clerk of Courts is the chief custodian of criminal records including all related motions and filings. Criminal duties include maintaining cases certified to the Court of Common Pleas, processing juvenile records, handling Superior and Commonwealth Court appeals, assessing and collecting fines and costs, processing bail, licensing private detectives, and accepting passport applications.

How to Access Armstrong County Criminal Records

Armstrong County criminal court case records are available to the public. The office does not conduct searches of indices including judgments and liens. All records except those sealed by law or court order are available to the public. To search records, you can visit the courthouse during business hours or use the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal online.

Armstrong County uses the INFOCON system for online civil docket access, which requires a paid subscription with a $25.00 setup fee, a $1.10 per minute access rate, and a $25.00 per month minimum fee. Criminal docket information is available free through the UJS Portal. You can search for criminal cases using a party name, docket number, or offense tracking number (OTN).

Armstrong County courts consist of the Court of Common Pleas, Orphan's Court, and Magisterial District Courts. Magisterial District Courts handle summary offenses, preliminary hearings, DUI cases, third-degree misdemeanors, ordinance violations, and civil claims within financial limits. The county has four Magisterial District Courts: MDJ 33-3-01 at 206 Fifth Avenue, Ford City; MDJ 33-3-02 at 128 South Grant Avenue, Kittanning; MDJ 33-3-03 at 241 Market Street, Leechburg; and MDJ 33-3-04 at 720 Main Street, Rural Valley.

Armstrong County Criminal History Background Checks

The Pennsylvania State Police provides criminal history background checks through the PATCH system (Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History) for Armstrong County and all of Pennsylvania. The online fee is $22.00 per check, payable by credit card or pre-registered bank account, through epatch.pa.gov. Mail requests can be submitted using Form SP 4-164 to the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository, RCPU, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758.

For Armstrong County arrest records specifically, the Armstrong County Jail is located at 171 Staley's Court Road, Kittanning, PA 16201 and handles inquiries about current inmates. The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections maintains an inmate locator for individuals held in state correctional institutions. For local police arrest records, contact the municipal police department in the jurisdiction where the arrest occurred.

Note: Criminal records obtained through the UJS Portal are not formal background checks and should not be used as substitutes for official PATCH results from the Pennsylvania State Police.

What Armstrong County Criminal Records Include

Armstrong County criminal 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. Court records may exist as judgments, docket entries, motions and pleas, sentencing documents, transcripts, arraignments, case filings, court orders, and evidence and exhibits. Armstrong County's trial system consists of the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts, each generating separate sets of records.

Certain records are not available for public inspection. Confidential documents include social security numbers, driver license numbers, financial source documents, income and expense statements, medical or psychological records, state identification (SID) numbers, educational records of juveniles, Children Youth and Family Services records, agreements between case parties, marital property inventory, and contact information of victims of abuse. These categories are protected under Pennsylvania law to safeguard sensitive personal information.

Armstrong County Right-to-Know Requests

Armstrong County follows Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, enacted in 2008 and effective January 1, 2009. Under this law, many government records are public without the need for a formal request. The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts handles criminal cases, civil cases, divorces, and judgments. Some information is already accessible through public record, and a Right-to-Know request is not always necessary. Contact the appropriate office first before filing.

RTK requests must be submitted in writing and may be mailed to Karen Notto, Right to Know Officer, 450 Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201, faxed to 724-548-3285, or delivered in person at the Armstrong County Courthouse Commissioners' Office, 450 Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201. Agencies are required to respond within five business days under state law. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records handles appeals of denied requests.

The Armstrong County Right-to-Know information page provides the request form, submission instructions, and guidance on which records require a formal RTK request versus those available through routine public access channels.

Nearby Counties

Armstrong County sits in western Pennsylvania surrounded by several other counties. If you need records from a case filed outside Armstrong County, check the county where the event occurred.

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