Search Pennsylvania Warrant Records
Pennsylvania warrant records are public documents kept by courts, law enforcement agencies, and the state police across all 67 counties. These records cover active warrants, bench warrants, and arrest warrants issued by judges and magistrates throughout the state. You can search for warrant records through the Unified Judicial System portal, county sheriff offices, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Multiple online tools and in-person options make it possible to look up warrant records in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Warrant Types
Several types of warrants exist in Pennsylvania. Each serves a different purpose. Arrest warrants are the most common type. A judge issues an arrest warrant when there is probable cause that a person committed a crime. Under Rule 513 of Pennsylvania criminal procedure, an officer or prosecutor must show probable cause before a judge will sign the warrant. The warrant must name the person and describe the offense. Once signed, law enforcement can execute it anywhere in the state.
Bench warrants work differently. A judge issues a bench warrant from the bench when someone fails to appear in court or violates a court order. Under Rule 150 of Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, a person arrested on a bench warrant must receive a hearing within 72 hours. If no hearing takes place in that time, the warrant expires. This rule protects people from sitting in jail without due process in Pennsylvania.
Fugitive warrants apply to people wanted in other states who are found in Pennsylvania. Under Title 42 Section 8953, officers in Pennsylvania can execute warrants beyond their normal territorial limits. This means a warrant from one county can be served in another county. It also covers cross-jurisdictional cases where coordination between agencies is needed.
Pennsylvania Warrant Records Online Search
The fastest way to search warrant records in Pennsylvania is through the UJS Portal. This free tool is available around the clock. It covers all courts in the state. You can search by case number, participant name, OTN, police incident number, or state ID. Results show case details, filing dates, and docket entries for courts across Pennsylvania.
The UJS Portal is part of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. It connects records from Courts of Common Pleas, magisterial district courts, and appellate courts statewide. When a warrant is tied to a criminal case, that case will appear in the portal search results. You can view docket sheets that show the full history of a case, including any warrants issued by the court in Pennsylvania.
A lead-in to the Pennsylvania warrant records search resource can be found at the UJS Portal website.
The PAeDocket mobile app also provides access to Pennsylvania court records from your phone or tablet. It uses the same database as the web portal.
Note: The UJS Portal shows case information but may not display the current status of every warrant in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania State Police Warrant Records
The Pennsylvania State Police maintain criminal history records that may include warrant information. The PATCH system lets you run a criminal background check for $22 per search. About 85 percent of searches return instant results with a "No Record" response. More complex checks may take longer. PATCH stands for Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History, and it is the main tool the state police use to share criminal records with the public.
For questions about PATCH results, call the PATCH Helpline at 1-888-783-7972. Staff can help you understand what the results mean. Under the Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA), the Pennsylvania State Police are the central repository for criminal history data in the state. Individuals have the right to review their own records through this system. You can challenge any errors you find in your Pennsylvania criminal history.
The state police also publish Public Information Release Reports that are kept for 30 days. These reports are searchable by county. They cover arrests, incidents, and other law enforcement actions across Pennsylvania.
How to Search Warrant Records in Pennsylvania
Multiple methods exist for searching warrant records in Pennsylvania. The approach you choose depends on what you already know about the case. Online searches are fast and free through the UJS Portal. Paid options like PATCH give you a more complete criminal history picture. In-person visits to courthouses let you view the full case file.
To search online, start with the UJS Portal. Enter the person's name or case number. The system will return matching cases from courts across Pennsylvania. Look at the docket sheet for any warrant entries. You can also check the PSP Most Wanted list for active fugitives. This list includes photos, physical descriptions, and information about anonymous tip lines and rewards.
For a formal records request, you have several options in Pennsylvania:
- Submit a PATCH check at epatch.pa.gov for $22
- File a Right-to-Know request with the relevant agency
- Visit the county courthouse clerk of courts office
- Contact the county sheriff for active warrant lists
- Use the PSP Records Request Portal for state police records
Note: Unexecuted arrest warrant information may be subject to a 72-hour delay before public release under Rule 513 in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Public Warrant Records Access
Pennsylvania law gives the public broad access to government records. The Office of Open Records oversees the Right-to-Know Law. Under this law, you can request records from state and local agencies. Agencies must respond within five business days. They can extend this by up to 30 days if needed. The Office of Open Records is located at 555 Walnut Street, Suite 605, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
Warrant records fall under the public records umbrella in most cases. Courts make warrant information available once a warrant has been served. Some warrant details stay sealed until the person is arrested. This is to prevent suspects from fleeing before law enforcement can act. After an arrest, the warrant and related case information become part of the public record in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania General Assembly has set statutes that govern how long records must be kept and who can access them. Criminal cases in Pennsylvania have a statute of limitations of five years for felonies and two years for misdemeanors under 42 Pa.C.S. Section 5551. Murder has no statute of limitations. Warrants connected to these cases remain in the system until they are served or recalled by the court.
Law Enforcement Warrant Records in Pennsylvania
Law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania use several tools to track and execute warrants. The Justice Network (JNET) is a secure system that connects police departments, courts, and correctional facilities. JNET holds over 35 million images and uses facial recognition technology. Only authorized law enforcement personnel can access this network. It helps officers verify warrant status in real time across Pennsylvania.
County sheriff offices play a key role in warrant service. Each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties has a sheriff who is responsible for serving warrants issued by the Court of Common Pleas. Some sheriff offices post active warrant lists on their websites. Others require you to call or visit in person. The sheriff also handles civil warrants and protection orders in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania State Police handle warrants at the state level. Troopers can serve warrants anywhere in the state. The PSP Most Wanted page lists the ten most wanted fugitives in Pennsylvania. Each listing includes a photo, physical description, and the charges. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and rewards may be offered for information that leads to an arrest.
Note: JNET is not open to public searches and is restricted to law enforcement use only in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Warrant and Offender Registries
Pennsylvania maintains several registries that relate to warrant records and public safety. The Megan's Law registry tracks registered sex offenders across the state. You can search by name, county, or location. The site also offers email notifications when an offender moves into your area. Violations of Megan's Law registration requirements can lead to new warrants in Pennsylvania.
When a registered offender fails to comply with reporting rules, a warrant is issued for their arrest. These warrants appear in the court system and through law enforcement databases. The Megan's Law website shows the current status and location of offenders but does not display warrant information directly. You would need to check the UJS Portal or contact local law enforcement to find out if there is an active warrant for a specific person in Pennsylvania.
Warrant Records and Criminal History in Pennsylvania
Warrant records are one part of a broader criminal history in Pennsylvania. A criminal history may include arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences. The PATCH system through the Pennsylvania State Police is the official source for criminal history checks. Each check costs $22 and covers the person's entire Pennsylvania record. The CHRIA law governs who can access these records and how they can be used.
Individuals can request their own criminal history at any time. This right is guaranteed under the Criminal History Record Information Act. If you find errors in your record, you can challenge them through the Pennsylvania State Police. The PSP Records Request Portal handles various types of record requests. You can submit Right-to-Know requests to the Agency Open Records Officer through this portal.
Active warrants show up on criminal history checks. Once a warrant is cleared, it remains part of the case record but is marked as served or recalled. The case itself stays in the court system. Pennsylvania does not automatically seal or expunge warrant records. A person must file a petition to have records expunged or sealed if they qualify under state law.
Note: PATCH results show Pennsylvania records only and do not include warrants from other states.
County Court Warrant Records in Pennsylvania
Each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties has a Court of Common Pleas that issues warrants. The clerk of courts in each county maintains warrant records as part of the criminal case file. You can visit the courthouse to search for warrant records in person. Many counties also provide online access through the UJS Portal.
Magisterial district courts handle preliminary hearings and minor offenses in Pennsylvania. These courts issue bench warrants when defendants fail to appear. Bench warrant records from magisterial district courts are also searchable through the UJS Portal. The portal covers both levels of trial courts in Pennsylvania, giving you a broad view of warrant activity in any county.
Philadelphia has its own court system called the Philadelphia Municipal Court. It handles misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings for felonies in the city. Warrant records from this court are part of the statewide system. Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh, also has a high volume of warrant records due to its large population. Both counties have dedicated court websites with additional search tools for warrant records in Pennsylvania.
Browse Pennsylvania Warrant Records by County
Each county in Pennsylvania has its own Court of Common Pleas that maintains warrant records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for warrant records in that area.
Warrant Records in Major Pennsylvania Cities
Residents of major cities can search warrant records through their county courthouse or online portals. Pick a city below to learn about warrant records in that area.