Pittsburgh Warrant Records Lookup
Pittsburgh warrant records are processed through the Pittsburgh Municipal Court and the Allegheny County court system. Pittsburgh is the second largest city in Pennsylvania, located in Allegheny County. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Allegheny County Sheriff, and the municipal court all manage warrant activity. Searching for these records starts with the state court portal or the county Sheriff's warrant office. This guide explains each source and how to access them.
Pittsburgh Municipal Court Warrants
The Pittsburgh Municipal Court handles criminal complaints, warrant issuance, bail hearings, and preliminary hearings. The court is at 660 First Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. You can call (412) 350-6715 for general questions. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The court also provides 24/7 emergency and arraignment services. This means judges are on duty at all times to review warrant requests. Under Rule 117.1, the court maintains continuous warrant coverage. A judge can issue an arrest warrant or search warrant at any hour of the day or night.
Rule 150.1 governs bench warrants in Pittsburgh. These are issued when a person fails to appear for a hearing or violates a court condition. Rule 202.1 sets special approval rules for search warrants in homicide cases. Rules 507.1 through 507.6 cover the affidavit requirements for arrest warrants. Each affidavit must lay out facts that show probable cause.
Note: The municipal court handles cases that begin in Pittsburgh. If a case moves to the Court of Common Pleas for trial, the warrant records transfer with it.
Court and Police Resources
The Pittsburgh Municipal Court arraignment office handles warrant processing around the clock. The court site provides contact details and procedural information for those involved in active cases.
Arraignment court staff can confirm if a warrant has been issued and provide next steps. You must appear in person or contact the court by phone for case-specific questions.
Pittsburgh Police Warrant Procedures
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police follows detailed policies on warrants. Order 52-01 covers warrants and summons. It sets the steps officers must follow when serving an arrest warrant or a bench warrant. Order 53-01 addresses court appearances and covers the process for obtaining search warrants, filing affidavits, and completing inventory returns.
Under Pennsylvania law, search warrants must be executed within 48 hours. This rule comes from Pa.R.Crim.P. 205(A)(4). Once a search warrant is signed by a judge, officers have a limited window to carry it out. After the search, the officer must file an inventory of items seized with the court.
Order 45-02 deals with warrantless searches. These are allowed only in specific circumstances under state and federal law. Order 76-01 covers the Right-to-Know process for police records. If you need a copy of a warrant affidavit or return, you can file a request through that channel.
The Bureau of Police works with the Sheriff's office on high-priority cases. Fugitive apprehension often involves multiple agencies in Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police publishes its policies and procedural manual. This resource can help you understand how officers handle warrants in the field.
The manual is available on the city's website. It covers all aspects of police procedure, including warrant service and evidence handling.
Allegheny County Sheriff Warrants
The Allegheny County Sheriff Warrant Office is the central repository for bench warrants in the county. The office is at 436 Grant Street, Courthouse Room 111, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Call (412) 350-4714 for questions. The office runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Warrant information is available only in person at this office. They do not share warrant details over the phone or by email. You must go to the courthouse to ask about a specific warrant. Bring a valid photo ID.
The Sheriff's Office also maintains a Fugitive and Most Wanted list. This list includes people with serious outstanding warrants in Allegheny County. It is posted on the Sheriff's website and updated as cases change.
Note: The Sheriff handles county-wide warrants. Pittsburgh city warrants that move into the Court of Common Pleas fall under the Sheriff's jurisdiction for service.
Searching Pittsburgh Warrant Records
You have several options for finding warrant records in Pittsburgh.
- Search the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us by name or case number
- Visit the Sheriff Warrant Office at 436 Grant Street, Room 111
- Call Pittsburgh Municipal Court at (412) 350-6715
- File a Right-to-Know request through the Pittsburgh Police
- Use the state PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov for criminal history checks
The UJS Portal is free and available online. It shows case type, filing date, charges, and status. You will not see the full text of the warrant. For copies of warrant documents, contact the court clerk or file a formal request.
Under Pa.R.Crim.P. 150, arrest warrant affidavits become public records once the warrant is served. Before that, they may be sealed. Search warrant affidavits can also be sealed during an active investigation under Pa.R.Crim.P. 513.
Allegheny County Warrant Records
Pittsburgh sits in Allegheny County. The county court system handles felony trials, appeals, and all warrants escalated from the municipal court level. For a full overview of county resources, warrant lookup options, and related records, see the Allegheny County warrant records page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Other major Pennsylvania cities have their own warrant record systems. Select a city below to learn about warrant records in that area.