Criminal records in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, are accessible through several channels. ClearfieldCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's online portal, the Clearfield County Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts office, and local law enforcement agencies such as the Clearfield County Sheriff's Office.
How to Search Criminal Records in Clearfield
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Clearfield County. What you'll need before starting any search:
- The individual's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number or docket number (if known)
Online Search Options
- ClearfieldCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Clearfield County.
- UJS Portal Case Search — The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal lets you look up docket sheets for criminal cases across all Pennsylvania courts, including the Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas. You can search by participant name, case number, or date range.
- Clearfield County Criminal Case Information page — The county's official website provides direct links to PA docket sheets and the state inmate locator.
- Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator — Use this tool to find state-sentenced inmates. Note that individuals held only in a county facility may not appear in this system.
- Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) — The Pennsylvania State Police operate this system for official criminal background checks. Results include statewide criminal history records.
- Megan's Law registry — Pennsylvania's sex offender registry, maintained by the State Police under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.32, allows searches by name, county, or zip code.
In Person
Visit the Clearfield County Courthouse to access criminal records through the Clerk of Courts office. Public access terminals may be available for docket sheet lookups. Bring a valid photo ID.
Clearfield County Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts
By Mail
Written requests for criminal case records can be mailed to the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, and case number if available. For a statewide criminal history check, submit a request through PATCH online, or mail a notarized request form to the Pennsylvania State Police, Central Repository.
Search Clearfield Criminal Cases by Case Number
Pennsylvania uses a standardized docket number format across its courts. A typical criminal case number in Clearfield County looks like this:
CP-17-CR-0001234-2024
- CP — Court of Common Pleas
- 17 — Clearfield County's two-digit county code
- CR — Criminal case type (other prefixes include SA for summary appeals and MD for Magisterial District cases)
- 0001234 — Sequential case number assigned by the court
- 2024 — Year the case was filed
Magisterial District Court cases use a different prefix, such as MJ-17, followed by the district number and case sequence. If you only have a partial number, try searching by defendant name on the UJS Portal and then locating the full docket number from the results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Clearfield
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Pennsylvania Crimes Code citation (e.g., 18 Pa.C.S. § 2701 for simple assault) |
| Charge Grade | Felony (F1, F2, F3), Misdemeanor (M1, M2, M3), or Summary offense |
| Original vs. Amended | Charges may be amended through plea negotiations or at the discretion of the district attorney |
| Count Number | Each charge is listed as a separate count on the docket |
Case Status
- Active — Case is currently proceeding through the court system
- Pending — Awaiting a hearing, trial, or other court action
- Disposed — All charges have been resolved (by verdict, plea, or dismissal)
- Closed — Case is fully concluded, including sentencing and any post-disposition matters
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Formal reading of charges; defendant enters an initial plea
- Preliminary Hearing — Magisterial District Judge determines whether enough evidence exists to send the case to the Court of Common Pleas
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss case status, potential plea agreements, and trial preparation
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — Judge imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review Hearing — Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty — Acquitted of the charge
- Dismissed — Charge dropped by the court or prosecution
- Nolle Prossed — Prosecution declined to pursue the charge
- ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) — A diversionary program; successful completion may lead to expungement
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Clearfield
From the Clerk of Courts
The Clearfield County Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts office handles certified copies of criminal case documents, including docket sheets, disposition records, and sentencing orders.
How to request:
- In person — Visit the Clerk of Courts office at the courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Specify the case number and documents you need.
- By mail — Send a written request including the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number, the specific documents requested, and a return address. Include payment for applicable fees (check or money order payable to Clearfield County Clerk of Courts).
From the Pennsylvania State Police
For a certified statewide criminal history record, use the PATCH system online. Notarized copies of criminal record checks must be submitted by mail to the Pennsylvania State Police, Central Repository. You will need the subject's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport)
- Notarized request form (for PATCH mail submissions)
- Requester's relationship to the record subject may be asked for certain record types
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Clearfield
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PATCH online criminal background check | $22.00 | Per request; results typically returned within days. Paid via credit/debit card through the PATCH website. |
| PATCH volunteer record check | No charge | Available for qualifying volunteers under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121(b.1) |
| Certified copy of court document (Clerk of Courts) | Varies | Contact the Clerk of Courts office for the current per-page and certification fee schedule |
| UJS Portal docket sheet search | No charge | Publicly available online at no cost |
| Inmate locator search (PA DOC) | No charge | Free online search for state-sentenced inmates |
Processing Times
- PATCH online — Results are generally available within a few business days. Some requests requiring manual review may take longer.
- Clerk of Courts (in person) — Copies are often available the same day, depending on staff availability and the complexity of the request.
- Clerk of Courts (by mail) — Allow approximately one to two weeks for processing and return mail.
Fees are established under Pennsylvania law, including the Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.). Contact the Clerk of Courts directly at 814-765-2641 to confirm current copy and certification fees before submitting a request.