Clinton County Criminal History Records
Clinton County criminal history records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the Clinton County Courthouse in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. The county sits in north-central Pennsylvania and is part of the 25th Judicial District. Residents and researchers can access criminal history through local court offices, the statewide Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal, or the PATCH system run by the Pennsylvania State Police. This page outlines how to find and request criminal records in Clinton County.
Clinton County Quick Facts
Clinton County Criminal History Records Overview
Criminal history records in Clinton County cover a wide range of court-related information. These include case dockets, charge details, hearing dates, plea entries, sentencing data, and case dispositions. Records from both the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts fall under this category.
Pennsylvania treats most court records as public under the Right-to-Know Law and the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System. That said, some records are shielded from public view. Juvenile records, mental health commitments, sealed cases, expunged files, and adoption proceedings are not available through standard public searches.
The Clinton County Courthouse houses the Court of Common Pleas, where felony and serious misdemeanor cases are heard. The Clerk of Courts maintains the official criminal dockets for the county. The Prothonotary handles civil records separately. Both offices are housed at the courthouse in Lock Haven.
Note: Court databases may lag 24 hours or more behind actual filings. Visit the courthouse in person for the most current information.
How to Search Clinton County Criminal Records Online
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is the main free tool for searching Clinton County criminal records online. It covers all levels of court statewide, including the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. You can search by name, docket number, or other case identifiers.
The portal provides access to docket sheets that list case numbers, parties, charges, hearing dates, and case status. These records are public unless a court has ordered them sealed. The free UJS Case Search at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch is the direct link to begin a search.
The Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal provides free public access to court docket sheets for Clinton County and all other Pennsylvania counties.
For in-person requests, the Clinton County Courthouse is located at 230 East Water Street, Lock Haven, PA 17745. Clerks can assist with name searches and copy requests during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday.
Note: Docket sheet data from the UJS Portal should not be treated as a certified criminal history background check. Only the Pennsylvania State Police can issue a certified record.
Clinton County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts is the official custodian of criminal court records in Clinton County. The office processes criminal dockets, manages bail records, handles appeals to higher courts, collects fines and fees, and maintains documentation for all criminal cases heard in the Court of Common Pleas.
| Office | Clinton County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 230 East Water Street, Lock Haven, PA 17745 |
| County Website | clintoncountypa.gov |
| Court Portal | ujsportal.pacourts.us |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
Right-to-Know requests for Clinton County court records should be directed to the county's designated open-records officer. For criminal investigative records held by the District Attorney, a separate request must go to the DA's office, which has its own appeals officer under Section 503(d) of the Right-to-Know Law.
PATCH Background Checks for Clinton County
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system provides certified criminal background checks statewide. PATCH is administered by the Pennsylvania State Police and is accessible online at epatch.pa.gov. Each check costs $22, a non-refundable fee paid at the time of the request.
To submit a request online, go to the PATCH website, click "Submit a New Records Check," review and accept the terms of service, select "Individual Request," enter the subject's name and other required details, and pay with a credit or debit card. Results are typically returned quickly through the secure online system.
Mail requests are accepted as well. Complete Form SP 4-164 and send it with the $22 check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to: PA State Police Central Repository - RCPU, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758. Mail requests take longer to process.
The PATCH system is the official source for certified criminal background checks in Pennsylvania, including for residents and cases in Clinton County.
Note: PATCH results reflect the criminal history held by the State Police and may differ from what appears on the UJS Portal, which shows only court docket data.
What Clinton County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal records from Clinton County can include a range of information depending on the source. Court dockets list the case number, the parties involved, all charges filed, the presiding judge, every filing date, and the final disposition of the case. They note whether a defendant pleaded guilty, went to trial, or had charges dismissed.
A PATCH report from the State Police may include arrest data, charge classifications, sentencing outcomes such as incarceration terms, probation conditions, fines, costs, and community service requirements. Active bench warrants and Protection from Abuse orders may appear on certain searches. Both felony and misdemeanor convictions are included, as are summary offense dispositions from Magisterial District Courts.
Records obtained directly from the Clinton County Clerk of Courts reflect the court's own docket system. This is useful for verifying case details, obtaining certified copies of judgments, or confirming case status. Copies are subject to a per-page fee set by court rules.
Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and Clinton County Records
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, enacted as Act 3 of 2008, gives the public the right to access government records, including most court-related documents. Agencies must respond to written requests within five business days. A failure to respond within that period is treated as a denial.
Not all records are public. Under Section 708(b)(16) of the RTKL, criminal investigative records are exempt if their release could compromise an ongoing investigation, endanger a witness, or impair the ability to prosecute a case. Records from active investigations held by the Clinton County District Attorney's office fall under this protection.
Under 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91, known as the Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA), access to criminal history data is controlled by specific rules about who may obtain records and for what purposes. These rules apply to requests made through both PATCH and local court offices.
Appeals of denied Right-to-Know requests can be filed with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov. For criminal investigative record denials from the DA's office, the appeal goes to the district attorney's designated appeals officer.
Clinton County Magisterial District Courts
Magisterial District Courts in Clinton County handle the earliest stages of criminal cases. These courts process summary offense hearings, preliminary hearings for misdemeanors and felonies, DUI cases, and small civil claims up to $12,000. Records from these courts are searchable through the UJS Portal at no charge.
Cases that advance past the preliminary hearing level are certified to the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas, where they become part of the Clerk of Courts' docket. Both levels of court records are searchable through the statewide portal. The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts at pacourts.us oversees the court system and provides resources on how to navigate court records statewide.
Note: Magisterial District Court docket sheets are also available for free on the UJS Portal and show the same data as Common Pleas dockets, including party names, charges, and hearing outcomes.
Expungement of Clinton County Criminal Records
Pennsylvania allows for expungement of certain criminal records under specific conditions set out in 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91. A petition for expungement must be filed with the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas. If granted, the record is removed from public access in court databases and purged from the State Police criminal history repository.
Common grounds for expungement include summary offense convictions after five years without arrest, charges that resulted in acquittal or dismissal without conviction, and certain arrests where no charges were filed. The Clinton County Clerk of Courts processes expungement orders and notifies the Pennsylvania State Police to update their records accordingly.
Individuals seeking expungement should contact the Clerk of Courts at the Lock Haven courthouse for procedural guidance. Consulting an attorney familiar with Pennsylvania expungement law is strongly recommended before filing.
Nearby Counties
Clinton County borders several counties in north-central Pennsylvania. Search criminal history records for neighboring counties using the links below.