Adams County Arrest Records
Adams County arrest records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts and the Adams County Sheriff's Office in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. These records document criminal charges, booking details, and case outcomes for people arrested in Adams County. You can search Adams County arrest records through online court portals, in-person visits to the courthouse, or by using the statewide Pennsylvania criminal history system. This guide explains each method and directs you to the right offices and resources.
Adams County Quick Facts
Adams County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts is the primary keeper of criminal records in Adams County. Clerk of Courts Alana Percy maintains all criminal case files at the Adams County Courthouse in Gettysburg. This office holds records for felonies, misdemeanors, and other criminal matters processed through the Court of Common Pleas. If you need official Adams County arrest records from the court system, this is your first stop.
Criminal records at this office show the defendant's name, charges filed, arrest dates, hearing timeline, physical description, the offender's attorney, and the judge assigned to the case. Mugshots are available separately through the Adams County Sheriff's Office upon request. The Clerk of Courts can search records by name, case number, or date filed. Copies cost $0.25 per page, certification of documents is $20, and a research fee of $30 per hour applies for complex searches.
| Office | Adams County Clerk of Courts 117 Baltimore Street, 4th Floor Gettysburg, PA 17325 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (717) 337-9806 |
| Fax | (717) 334-9333 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, regular business hours |
| Website | adamscountycourt.org |
How to Search Adams County Arrest Records
Three main methods let you find Adams County arrest records. Online searches through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal are the fastest option. In-person visits to the courthouse give you access to full case files. The statewide PATCH system provides a comprehensive criminal history report from all Pennsylvania agencies.
The UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is free and gives you access to Adams County Court of Common Pleas dockets and all four Magisterial District Courts. District courts serve areas in Gettysburg, East Berlin, and Fairfield. You can search by participant name, case number, docket ID, or filing date. Results show case status, hearing dates, charges, and filing history. This tool is useful for checking whether someone has open or past criminal cases in Adams County without visiting the courthouse. Keep in mind that very recent filings may have a short delay before they appear in the system.
Note: The UJS Portal provides docket information only. For certified copies of Adams County arrest records, you must contact the Clerk of Courts directly.
Adams County Sheriff's Office Records
The Adams County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and booking information separate from the court system. This office handles warrant information and can tell you whether someone has an active warrant in Adams County. Inmate information for people held in county custody is also available through this office.
You can submit public records requests to the Sheriff's Office in person, by mail, or electronically. The office processes Right-to-Know requests for law enforcement records under Pennsylvania law. Response time is typically five business days per RTKL requirements. The office is located at 117 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325, and can be reached at (717) 337-9828 for records inquiries.
Mugshots from Adams County arrests are available through the Sheriff's Office upon request. These are not posted on any public-facing website but can be obtained through a formal records request. The Sheriff's Office also coordinates with state and local police departments that serve Adams County, including departments in Gettysburg, Hanover, and Littlestown.
PATCH System for Adams County Records
The Pennsylvania State Police operate the PATCH system, which stands for Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History. This statewide database includes Adams County arrest records from all law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania. It is the most complete source for a full criminal history tied to any individual arrested in the state.
You can access the PATCH system at epatch.state.pa.us. The fee is $22 per records check for non-volunteer requests. Online results are available right away. Mail requests take two to four weeks and require Form SP 4-164 with a certified check or money order sent to the PSP Central Repository at 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and summary offenses. Juvenile records are restricted under state law and will not appear in standard results.
The Pennsylvania State Police also respond to records requests through the statewide portal. Their PATCH database draws from all municipal police departments, state police barracks, and county sheriff offices. Adams County local police in Gettysburg, Hanover, and Littlestown all report to this system.
The Pennsylvania State Police maintain their own web presence for records resources. Visit the Pennsylvania State Police agency page for more information on accessing statewide criminal history data.
The Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository holds arrest data from every county, making it the best single source when you need Adams County criminal records alongside records from other jurisdictions.
Adams County Court Records Online
Adams County is served by the Court of Common Pleas and four Magisterial District Courts. All of these courts report their case records to the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal. You can search Adams County criminal cases at no cost using the public access tools on that site. Case types in the system include criminal, civil, traffic, and landlord-tenant matters.
When you search for Adams County arrest records online, you can use several filters. These include name, case number, docket ID, and filing date. Court calendars are searchable by date and judge. Docket sheets show the full timeline of a case from first filing through final disposition. You can also see bail information, charge grades, hearing outcomes, and attorney details. PDF versions of docket sheets are available for download directly from the portal at no charge.
Note: Court calendars and electronic payment for fines through PAePay are also available through the UJS system for Adams County cases.
Right-to-Know Requests in Adams County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, found at 65 P.S. § 67.101, gives the public the right to request government records from Adams County agencies. This law covers most criminal records held by the county, with some exceptions for ongoing investigations and certain personal data.
The Open Records Officer for Adams County is Sean A. Mott, Esq., Assistant Solicitor. His office is at 117 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325. You can reach the office by phone at (717) 337-5911 or by email at openrecord@adamscountypa.gov. For court-specific requests, use the dedicated email at adamscountycourtsrighttoknow@adamscountypa.gov. The standard Right-to-Know form is available for download through the Adams County website at adamscountypa.gov.
Requests can be submitted by mail, fax, in person, or email. Adams County must respond within five business days, though a 30-day extension is allowed for complex requests. Copy fees are $0.25 per page following the state fee schedule set by the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. If your request is denied, you may appeal to the OOR within 15 business days of the denial.
What Adams County Arrest Records Show
Adams County arrest records contain several categories of information. Court records held by the Clerk of Courts include the defendant's full name, charges, arrest dates, and the hearing timeline. The record also shows the defendant's physical description, the name of their attorney, and the judge assigned to the case. Disposition information tells you whether the case resulted in a conviction, dismissal, or other outcome.
Booking records from the Adams County Sheriff's Office may include additional details such as date and time of arrest, arresting agency, and bail status. Mugshots are stored at the Sheriff's Office. The PATCH system results show arrests from all Pennsylvania agencies, organized by date and charge type. Results cover felonies, misdemeanors, and summary offenses going back many years. Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and similar personal identifiers are redacted from publicly released records under state law.
Pennsylvania Criminal History Law
Access to Adams County criminal records is governed by the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act, commonly called CHRIA, found at 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101. This law sets the rules for who can access criminal history records, what information can be disclosed, and how agencies must handle criminal history data. It applies to all records held by the Adams County Clerk of Courts, the Sheriff's Office, and the Pennsylvania State Police.
Under CHRIA, criminal history records are available to the public for most adult arrest and conviction information. However, certain records are protected. Juvenile records are restricted and will not appear in public searches. Records that have been expunged under court order are also removed from public access. Sealed records follow specific rules on who may view them.
Pennsylvania courts use the Unified Judicial System to manage and share case information. The portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us reflects CHRIA rules in what it displays. Some sensitive case types are not publicly searchable through the portal even though the underlying records exist.
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System also maintains information on public access policies for court records statewide. The UJS portal is the main public interface for Adams County court records, including criminal dockets from all four district courts serving the county.
The statewide UJS system reflects CHRIA rules in what it displays publicly, making it a reliable source for understanding which Adams County arrest records are available to the general public.
Public Access to Adams County Criminal Records
Most Adams County arrest records are open to the public under both CHRIA and the Right-to-Know Law. You do not need to be a party to a case to view criminal dockets or request copies of court records. Anyone can use the UJS Portal to look up case information for free. For certified copies, you pay the standard fees at the Clerk of Courts office.
Some records are restricted. Juvenile case records are confidential. Expunged records are removed from public access following a court order. Records from ongoing investigations may be withheld under law enforcement exemptions in the RTKL. Cases involving mental health proceedings and certain protective orders may also have access limits. The Clerk of Courts staff can tell you which records are available and which require a formal request or court order.
Note: If you believe a record has been wrongly withheld, you can file an appeal with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov within 15 business days of the denial.
Nearby Counties
Adams County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If the person you are searching for lives or was arrested near the county line, records may be filed in a neighboring county.