Philadelphia County Criminal Records

What Is Philadelphia County Criminal Records

Philadelphia County criminal records are official documents that detail an individual's criminal history within Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. These records are maintained by the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania and include information about arrests, charges, court proceedings, and case dispositions. Criminal records serve as the official history of a person's interactions with the criminal justice system in Philadelphia County.

These records are created and maintained by various agencies including the Philadelphia Police Department, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, and the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania is located at 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Are Criminal Records Public In Philadelphia County

Yes, criminal records in Philadelphia County are generally considered public information under Pennsylvania's Right to Know Law and the common law right of access to judicial records. This means that most criminal case information is accessible to the general public, with some exceptions for sealed or expunged records.

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania maintains a policy of open records, allowing citizens to access court information through various platforms. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted or restricted, such as information related to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence cases, or cases involving minors.

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania's Administrative Office can be contacted at 601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 1500, P.O. Box 61260, Harrisburg, PA 17106-1260.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Philadelphia County in 2025

In 2025, Philadelphia County offers several methods to look up criminal records:

1. Online Portal: The Philadelphia Courts website provides access to criminal docket information through their electronic case record system.

2. In-Person Requests: Visit the Criminal Records Department at the Criminal Justice Center to request records in person.

3. Pennsylvania State Police: For comprehensive criminal history checks, you can use the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system.

4. Unified Judicial System Web Portal: The UJS portal allows searches of court cases across Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia County.

5. Third-Party Background Check Services: Various commercial services offer criminal record searches, though these may not be as comprehensive or accurate as official sources.

The Criminal Justice Center is located at 1301 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

The Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository is at 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

How To Find Criminal Records in Philadelphia County Online?

Finding Philadelphia County criminal records online is straightforward through these official channels:

1. Philadelphia Courts Website: Visit the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania website to access the online docket system. You can search by name, case number, or other identifiers.

2. Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System Web Portal: This statewide system allows searches of court cases, including criminal matters in Philadelphia County.

3. PATCH System: The Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History system, operated by the Pennsylvania State Police, provides criminal history record checks online.

4. Philadelphia Municipal Court Electronic Filing System: For minor criminal cases and citations handled by the Municipal Court.

When searching online, you'll typically need the individual's full name and may need additional information such as date of birth to narrow results for common names.

Can You Search Philadelphia County Criminal Records for Free?

Yes, there are several free options for searching Philadelphia County criminal records:

1. Philadelphia Courts Website: Basic docket searches are available at no cost through the First Judicial District website.

2. Unified Judicial System Web Portal: The UJS portal offers free access to basic case information.

3. Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals at the Criminal Justice Center and other court facilities provide free access to court records.

However, some services do involve fees:

• Certified copies of court records typically require payment of a fee
• Comprehensive criminal history checks through PATCH cost $22 per request
• Third-party background check services usually charge subscription or per-search fees

The Philadelphia Municipal Court is located at 1339 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

What's Included in a Philadelphia County Criminal Record?

A typical Philadelphia County criminal record contains:

1. Personal Information: Name, date of birth, address, and sometimes Social Security Number
2. Arrest Information: Date of arrest, arresting agency, and charges
3. Case Details: Docket number, court location, assigned judge
4. Charges: All criminal charges filed, including statute numbers and descriptions
5. Court Proceedings: Dates of hearings, continuances, and other court appearances
6. Disposition: Outcome of the case (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
7. Sentencing Information: If convicted, details about incarceration, probation, fines, or other penalties
8. Related Documents: May include links to or information about warrants, protection orders, or probation records

The level of detail available may vary depending on the access method and the specific case.

What Are the Penalties for a Philadelphia County Criminal Trespass Charge?

In Philadelphia County, criminal trespass charges are categorized based on severity, with penalties varying accordingly:

Felony Criminal Trespass (First Degree)

• Breaking into a building or occupied structure
• Penalties: Up to 7 years imprisonment and fines up to $15,000

Felony Criminal Trespass (Second Degree)

• Entering places clearly marked against trespass
• Penalties: Up to 5 years imprisonment and fines up to $10,000

Misdemeanor Criminal Trespass (Third Degree)

• Remaining in places after being noticed not to trespass
• Penalties: Up to 1 year imprisonment and fines up to $2,500

Simple Trespass (Summary Offense)

• Minor trespassing violations
• Penalties: Up to 90 days imprisonment and fines up to $300

Additional consequences may include probation, community service, and a permanent criminal record that can affect employment, housing, and other opportunities.

The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is located at Three South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

How Long Does Philadelphia County Keep Criminal Records?

Philadelphia County maintains criminal records indefinitely unless they are specifically expunged or sealed through legal processes. These permanent records remain in the court system and are accessible through various means unless legally restricted.

Pennsylvania law does provide mechanisms for clearing certain records:

1. Expungement: Complete removal of records, available for summary offenses after five years without arrest, non-conviction records, and certain minor offenses.

2. Record Sealing (Clean Slate): Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law allows for automatic sealing of eligible non-violent misdemeanor convictions after 10 years without new offenses, as well as non-conviction records.

3. Pardons: The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons can recommend pardons to the Governor, which may lead to expungement eligibility.

Each of these processes has specific eligibility requirements and procedures that must be followed.

The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons is located at 333 Market Street, 15th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17126.

Lookup Criminal Records in Philadelphia County

For accessing Philadelphia County criminal records, these official resources provide reliable information:

• The Philadelphia Courts | First Judicial District of Pennsylvania - The official website for Philadelphia Courts with information about the Court of Common Pleas, Municipal Court, and access to various court services and records.

• Public Records - Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania - Access to public records within the Pennsylvania judicial system, including court docket sheets and other public documents.

• Request a Criminal History Background Check - PA.GOV - Information on requesting criminal history background checks in Pennsylvania, including using the PATCH system.

• Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History - The PATCH website for requesting criminal history record checks from the Pennsylvania State Police.

• Notice of Language Rights - Information about rights to have an interpreter in court proceedings at no cost, ensuring language access in the judicial system.