Washington County Criminal History Records
Washington County criminal history records are kept by the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse in Washington, Pennsylvania. The Court of Common Pleas handles criminal cases across this southwestern Pennsylvania county, which is part of the greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Court records are accessible online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal or at the courthouse in person during regular business hours. Records are open to the public unless sealed by court order.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Clerk of Courts and Criminal Records
The Washington County Clerk of Courts is the official keeper of criminal case records generated by the Court of Common Pleas. This office files charges, records bail decisions, processes petitions and motions, handles court commitments, and prepares records for appeals to the Pennsylvania Superior and Supreme Courts. All criminal proceedings in the county produce records that are stored and maintained at this office.
Washington County is located in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania and borders Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, and Westmoreland counties. It also shares a border with West Virginia to the south. The county has experienced significant growth as part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan region, with new residential development and commercial expansion in several municipalities. Washington serves as the county seat and is where court operations are based.
Washington County provides various online services through its government portal. The Prothonotary at the courthouse maintains civil records separately from the Clerk of Courts. Contact the courthouse for specific hours and office information.
| Courthouse | Washington County Courthouse 100 West Beau Street Washington, PA 15301 |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts | Washington County Clerk of Courts Office |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Online Records | ujsportal.pacourts.us |
Washington County Criminal History Online Search
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal is the primary online tool for searching Washington County criminal court records. This free resource provides access to docket sheets for the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts throughout the county. Search options include party name, docket number, case number, and offense tracking number.
Portal results show charges, court dates, dispositions, attorney information, and judge assignments. New filings may take several days to appear. These results are not certified records. They are useful for tracking a case or researching court history, but they do not replace an official background check document.
In-person requests are handled at the Clerk of Courts office during regular business hours. Staff can locate records by name or docket number. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are available from the Clerk of Courts for an additional fee and require a direct request.
The UJS Case Search tool provides free online access to Washington County criminal dockets and court case information.
Note: UJS Portal results are not certified and should not be used as official background check documentation in place of a PATCH report.
Washington County Magisterial District Courts
Washington County has multiple Magisterial District Courts spread across the county. These courts handle preliminary hearings for felony charges, summary offenses, DUI matters, traffic violations, minor misdemeanors, and small civil claims up to set financial limits. MDJ records are part of the public record and searchable through the UJS Portal.
When a case moves from a Magisterial District Court to the Court of Common Pleas, the record transfers and becomes part of the Common Pleas docket. Both sets of records remain public. Washington County's size and population mean a higher volume of Magisterial District Court activity than in smaller counties. Contact Washington County Court Administration to find the MDJ serving a specific part of the county.
The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts oversees the UJS Portal and supports record access across Washington County and all of Pennsylvania.
PATCH Background Checks Covering Washington County
The Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system (Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History) is the official and only certified source for criminal background checks in Pennsylvania. It covers Washington County and every other county in the state. The fee is $22.00 per request. Submit online at epatch.pa.gov. Online submissions are processed quickly, often returning results right away.
Mail requests use Form SP 4-164, which can be downloaded from the Pennsylvania State Police website. Send the form and payment to the PSP Central Repository in Harrisburg. Allow two to four weeks for mail requests to be processed. PATCH results are drawn from the statewide criminal history database managed by the State Police.
For state incarceration records, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections provides an online inmate locator. For local jail inquiries, contact the Washington County Correctional Facility directly.
Note: PATCH is the sole certified background check for Pennsylvania criminal history. Court portal records do not provide the same level of certification.
Washington County Public Records and Right-to-Know Law
Washington County follows Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. Most government records are presumed public. Agencies must respond to written requests within five business days. Failure to respond is treated as a denial, which gives the requester the right to appeal.
Criminal court records are managed by the Clerk of Courts. Civil records are held by the Prothonotary. Many docket documents are accessible directly without a formal RTK request since they are part of the public record. Exempt items include juvenile records, sealed records, ongoing investigatory materials, and medical or psychological information.
Written Right-to-Know requests should be directed to the Open Records Officer at the Washington County Courthouse. Appeals of denials go to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records in Harrisburg. The OOR publishes templates and guidance documents to help requesters navigate the process.
Under the Right-to-Know Law, the burden of proof is on the agency to show that a record is exempt. Denials must be provided in writing with an explanation.
Note: Criminal investigative records may be exempt even after a case is closed, depending on the circumstances and applicable exemptions under the law.
What Washington County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal case records from Washington County courts cover each step of the judicial process. They typically include the defendant's name and identifying information, charges filed, docket number, court hearing dates, the presiding judge, attorney names, bail decisions, filed motions, and the final disposition or sentencing details. Appeals and post-conviction proceedings also appear on the docket.
Certain details remain protected under Pennsylvania law. Protected information includes social security numbers, driver license numbers, financial source documents, medical and psychological records, state identification numbers, and contact details for victims of certain crimes. Juvenile records are confidential. Expunged records are removed from public access once the expungement is granted by the court.
Arrest records are separate from court records. They come from law enforcement agencies such as the Washington County Sheriff's Office or local police departments. The Sheriff also maintains warrant information for the county. Court records start when charges are formally filed with the Clerk of Courts.
Nearby Counties
Washington County borders several southwestern Pennsylvania counties and West Virginia. If a case was filed in a neighboring county or across the state line, search there directly.