Armstrong County Criminal Record Lookup

Armstrong County arrest records are kept by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts at the Armstrong County Courthouse in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The Clerk of Courts office maintains criminal case files for felonies, misdemeanors, and related matters processed through the Court of Common Pleas and the county's four Magisterial District Courts. You can search Armstrong County arrest records online through the UJS Portal, request records in person at the courthouse, or run a statewide criminal history check through the Pennsylvania PATCH system. This guide covers all your options.

Armstrong County Clerk of Courts

Annette Bowser serves as the independently elected Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts for Armstrong County. Her office at the Armstrong County Courthouse handles both civil and criminal records. The Clerk of Courts division specifically maintains criminal records including felonies, misdemeanors, and juvenile matters. If you need Armstrong County arrest records from the court system, this office is the right place to start.

Services provided by this office include bail processing, collection of fines and costs, oaths of office, and private detective licensing. The office also maintains road and bridge ordinances filed in the county. Staff can search records by name, case number, or date filed and provide copies at the standard state rate. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with a lunch break from noon to 1:00 PM.

The Armstrong County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts page at the county website provides additional details about services, forms, and procedures for requesting records.

The Clerk of Courts office is your primary source for certified copies of criminal case records from Armstrong County courts.

How to Search Armstrong County Arrest Records

Finding Armstrong County arrest records can be done through several channels. The best starting point depends on what information you already have and how much detail you need.

The Pennsylvania UJS Portal is free and gives you online access to Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas dockets and all four Magisterial District Courts. District courts serve Ford City, Kittanning, Leechburg, and Rural Valley. You can search by judge's name, OTN, arresting agency, complaint number, disposition, or case status. Docket entry information includes filed date, entry text, and filer identification. Case financial details show balance, payment amounts, and assessment records. Bail information shows action type, amount, percentage, and type. Charge information includes charge number, grade, description, offense date, and disposition.

For a complete statewide criminal history, use the PATCH system at epatch.state.pa.us. This includes all Armstrong County arrests reported by Kittanning police, Ford City police, Leechburg police, and state police troopers who cover rural areas of the county.

Note: Attorney information shown in UJS dockets includes the attorney's name, the party they represent, their counsel status, and their Supreme Court number.

Armstrong County Sheriff's Office

The Armstrong County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and warrant information for the county. Warrant searches can be conducted by contacting the office directly at the Armstrong County Courthouse in Kittanning. The Sheriff's Office serves civil process and protection orders throughout the county.

The office coordinates inmate transport to and from court and maintains jail records for inmates in county custody. Armstrong County Jail is located at 171 Staley's Court Road, Kittanning, PA 16201. The Sheriff's Office participates in regional drug task forces and processes concealed carry permit applications. Deputies serve warrants and subpoenas for all courts operating within Armstrong County. You can contact the Sheriff's Office through the county's main website at co.armstrong.pa.us.

Armstrong County Records Through PATCH

The Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History system at epatch.state.pa.us provides the most complete view of criminal history for anyone arrested in Armstrong County. The $22 fee covers non-volunteer requests. You can search online for immediate results or submit a mail request using Form SP 4-164 with a certified check or money order.

Mail requests go to the PSP Central Repository at 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Processing takes two to four weeks by mail. Online results are available right away. PATCH results show all Pennsylvania arrests, not just those in Armstrong County. This makes it useful when someone has a criminal history in multiple counties. Results cover felonies, misdemeanors, and summary offenses. State Police coverage extends to rural areas and state highways in Armstrong County that are not served by local police.

Right-to-Know Requests in Armstrong County

Armstrong County follows Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101, for public access to records. The county's Public Access Policy confirms that records are public per Section 3.0 and the RTKL. You can submit Right-to-Know requests to the appropriate county office for arrest and criminal records held by Armstrong County agencies.

The county's open records process is described at co.armstrong.pa.us. Several categories of information are excluded from public access. These include Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial source documents, medical and psychological records, and SID numbers. Juvenile educational records and records from Children, Youth, and Family Services are restricted. Juvenile names and dates of birth are redacted except when the juvenile is charged as a criminal defendant. Abuse victim contact information, including home address, work schedule, and employer, is protected from public release.

Armstrong County must respond to Right-to-Know requests within five business days. You can appeal a denial to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov within 15 business days of the denial notice.

Note: Financial account numbers in Armstrong County records are restricted, though the last four digits may be visible if they are part of a filed court case.

What Armstrong County Arrest Records Contain

Armstrong County arrest records from the Clerk of Courts contain the defendant's name, charges filed, offense dates, charge grade, and case disposition. The record also shows bail information including the type, amount, and date set. Docket entries list every action taken in the case from filing through final outcome. Attorney information, arresting agency, and OTN numbers are also part of the criminal case record.

Booking records from the Armstrong County Sheriff's Office may include arrest date and time, arresting officer, and physical description. The county jail in Kittanning maintains records for inmates in local custody. These records are separate from court records but may overlap in content. The PATCH system at epatch.state.pa.us consolidates information from all Armstrong County agencies into one report, showing charge history, conviction status, and disposition for all offenses on record in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act

All Armstrong County criminal records are governed by CHRIA, found at 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101. This state law controls how criminal history data is collected, maintained, and shared with the public. It applies to the Armstrong County Clerk of Courts, the Sheriff's Office, and all law enforcement agencies in the county.

Under CHRIA, most adult criminal records are available to the public. Juvenile records are restricted from public access. Expunged records are removed from the system after a court order is entered. The law also governs the accuracy of records maintained at the PSP Central Repository, requiring agencies to report outcomes including dismissals and acquittals. This means a PATCH search should reflect the current status of any Armstrong County case, not just the initial arrest charge.

Combining CHRIA with the RTKL at 65 P.S. § 67.101 gives the public broad access to Armstrong County criminal records while protecting certain sensitive data categories. Both laws work together to define what the county must release, what it may withhold, and how it handles appeals.

Nearby Counties

Armstrong County is surrounded by several western Pennsylvania counties. Arrests near the county line may result in records filed in a neighboring county's court system.

View All 67 Counties