Arrest Records in Forest County
Forest County is the smallest county in Pennsylvania by population, but its arrest records are still part of the public record and available through state and local channels. The county seat is Tionesta, where the Clerk of Courts maintains criminal case files. Residents can search Forest County arrest records through the state UJS portal for free or visit the courthouse to request documents. This guide covers the main ways to find arrest and criminal records tied to Forest County, Pennsylvania.
Forest County Quick Facts
Forest County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Forest County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. Sheriff William D. Carbaugh Jr. oversees the office located at 526 Elm Street, P.O. Box 9, Tionesta, PA 16353. The phone number is (814) 755-3541. The Sheriff maintains arrest records and warrant information for Forest County. You can contact the office by fax at (814) 755-4404 or by email at bcarbaugh@co.forest.pa.us.
Forest County does not operate its own on-site jail. When someone is arrested in Forest County, they are transferred to a nearby regional detention center. The Sheriff's Office still maintains the arrest records and warrant data even though inmates are held elsewhere. This is common for small rural counties in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania State Police provide primary law enforcement coverage for most of Forest County, given the small size of the county and its rural nature.
The Forest County records page at pennsylvania.staterecords.org provides background on how arrest records and public records work in Forest County, including information on the Sheriff's Office and the types of records available to the public.
The Forest County Sheriff's Office in Tionesta handles arrest records and warrant information for this small Pennsylvania county, with State Police covering most rural patrol duties.
| Office |
Forest County Sheriff's Office 526 Elm Street, P.O. Box 9 Tionesta, PA 16353 Phone: (814) 755-3541 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Contact office for current hours |
| bcarbaugh@co.forest.pa.us |
Forest County Clerk of Courts Records
The Clerk of Courts for Forest County is Dawn M. Millin, located at 526 Elm Street #2, Tionesta, PA 16353. The office phone is (814) 755-3526. Court records can be requested by mail, email, or fax. Official certified records are sent by mail only. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Because Forest County is a small county, combined court offices handle several duties including Prothonotary functions alongside the Clerk of Courts role.
Forest County criminal records held by the Clerk of Courts include misdemeanor and felony case files, indictments, plea agreements, and sentencing records. The court operates at a smaller volume compared to larger Pennsylvania counties, but records are maintained in line with state law. The Clerk can search records by name or case number. Older records may take additional time to retrieve.
Note: Because Forest County has a small court volume, staff can often assist requesters quickly. However, contacting the office in advance is recommended before making an in-person trip to Tionesta.
Find Forest County Arrest Records Online
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal is the best free online tool for searching Forest County arrest records tied to court cases. Visit ujsportal.pacourts.us to search by participant name, docket number, or case type. Both Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court records for Forest County are accessible through the portal. The system is free to use and does not require an account.
Forest County has a limited local online presence compared to larger Pennsylvania counties. The county relies on the state UJS portal for most public access to court dockets. The portal covers criminal and civil cases and includes court calendars and case status updates. For documents not shown online, contact the Clerk of Courts at the Tionesta courthouse.
The Forest County open records and government information portal is available at co.forest.pa.us. This site covers county government offices, services, and contact information for submitting public records requests under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law.
The Forest County government website at co.forest.pa.us provides contact information for the Open Records Officer and guidance on how to submit public records requests for Forest County documents.
Open Records Requests in Forest County
The Open Records Officer for Forest County is Jean Ann Hitchcock. Her office is at 526 Elm Street, Box 3, Tionesta, PA 16353, and can be reached at (814) 755-3537. Requests must be submitted in writing. Photo ID may be required when picking up certain records. The county follows the standard five business day response time set under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Copy fees are $0.25 per page. Birth records cost $20 for the first copy.
If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov. The appeal must be filed within 15 business days of receiving the denial. The Office of Open Records handles appeals for all Pennsylvania counties, including Forest County. Most criminal court records are available without a formal RTKL request since they are accessible through the UJS portal or the Clerk of Courts.
State Criminal History Records for Forest County
Forest County arrest records are part of the Pennsylvania PATCH database maintained by the State Police. Because Forest County has very limited local law enforcement, the Pennsylvania State Police are the primary reporting agency for criminal history data from this county. The State Police barracks that serve the Forest County area submit arrest and conviction data to the statewide system on a regular basis.
To request a PATCH criminal history report, go to epatch.state.pa.us. The fee is $22. You can request online or submit Form SP 4-164 by mail. The report will cover all Pennsylvania arrests, including any from Forest County. Notarized copies cost more but may be needed for legal purposes. Learn more about the Pennsylvania State Police at pa.gov/agencies/psp.
Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101, the Criminal History Record Information Act sets the rules for how criminal records in Pennsylvania are kept, accessed, and used. This law applies to all Forest County records in the PATCH system. Requesters and recipients of criminal history data must comply with CHRIA guidelines.
Nearby Counties
Forest County is a small county in north-central Pennsylvania. It borders Clarion County to the south, Jefferson County to the east, Elk County to the northeast, Warren County to the north, and Venango County to the west. Residents near county lines should confirm which county courthouse holds their records.