Criminal records in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. BeaverCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for Beaver County. You can also search records through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal, the Beaver County Clerk of Courts, the Beaver County Sheriff's Office, and statewide criminal history databases maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police.
How to Search Criminal Records in Beaver County
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Beaver County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and what type of record you need.
Online Search Options
- BeaverCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Beaver County.
- Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal (UJS) — The Unified Judicial System portal lets you search by case number, participant name, organization name, offense tracking number, or police incident number. This covers Court of Common Pleas cases, Magisterial District Judge cases, and appellate court filings statewide, including Beaver County.
- Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) — Run a statewide criminal history background check through the Pennsylvania State Police. Results are typically returned quickly for online submissions.
- PA Department of Corrections Inmate Locator — Search for individuals incarcerated in state correctional facilities or under department supervision, including those booked through the Beaver County Jail.
In Person
Visit the Beaver County Clerk of Courts at the courthouse. According to the Clerk's office, anyone may conduct their own record search free of charge by using the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania's public web docket system. Public access terminals may also be available at the courthouse.
By Mail
- Clerk of Courts: Submit a written request to the Beaver County Clerk of Courts for county-level criminal case records.
- Pennsylvania State Police: Mail a completed criminal history request form along with the required fee to the PSP Central Repository. Details are available on the PSP background check page.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (recommended for narrowing results)
- Case number or docket number (if known)
- Offense tracking number or police incident number (if available)
Search Beaver County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Pennsylvania uses a standardized docket number format across its Unified Judicial System.
A typical case number follows this pattern:
- CP-04-CR-0001234-2024
Here is what each segment means:
| Segment | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CP | Court of Common Pleas (county-level court) |
| 04 | County code for Beaver County |
| CR | Case type — CR indicates a criminal case |
| 0001234 | Sequential case number assigned by the court |
| 2024 | Year the case was filed |
For cases originating at the Magisterial District Judge level, the prefix is MJ instead of CP. Beaver County has its own administrative order governing public access to MDJ records.
Enter the full docket number into the UJS web portal to pull up charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and related filings.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Beaver County
Criminal case docket sheets in Beaver County display several categories of information. Here is what the key data points mean.
Charges
- Statute codes: Each charge references a section of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (Title 18) or another applicable statute (e.g., Title 75 for vehicle code offenses).
- Severity: Charges are classified as felony (F1, F2, F3), misdemeanor (M1, M2, M3), or summary offense.
- Amended charges: Prosecutors may amend original charges during plea negotiations or after preliminary hearings. Both the original and amended charges appear on the docket.
Case Status
| Status | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Active | The case is currently proceeding through the court system. |
| Pending | Charges have been filed but key proceedings have not yet occurred. |
| Disposed | The case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, etc.). |
| Closed | All court obligations, including sentencing and fines, are complete. |
Hearings
- Arraignment: The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary hearing: A Magisterial District Judge determines whether enough evidence exists to hold the case for trial.
- Pre-trial conference: Attorneys discuss potential resolutions, motions, and trial preparation.
- Trial: The case is heard before a judge or jury.
- Sentencing: The court imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea.
- Review hearing: The court checks compliance with probation, restitution, or other conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was found or pleaded guilty. |
| Not Guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial. |
| Dismissed | Charges were dropped by the court or prosecution. |
| Nolle Prossed | The Commonwealth chose not to prosecute. |
| ARD | Accepted into Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, a first-offender diversion program. |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Beaver County
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and can be used for legal proceedings, employment verification, and other formal purposes.
County-Level Records
The Beaver County Clerk of Courts handles requests for certified criminal case records. You can request copies in person, by mail, or by contacting the office directly.
When requesting certified records, bring or include:
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- The full docket number or defendant's name and date of birth
- Payment for applicable copy and certification fees
Statewide Criminal History
For a comprehensive criminal history check that covers all Pennsylvania jurisdictions, use the PATCH system online or submit a mail-in request to the Pennsylvania State Police. The PSP Records Request page provides instructions for both methods.
Expungement Requests
If you need to apply for criminal record expungement, download Form SP 4-170 from the PSP expungement page and mail it to the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Beaver County
Fees vary depending on the type of record and the agency handling the request. The table below summarizes commonly encountered costs.
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PATCH online criminal history check | $22.00 | Pennsylvania State Police (per 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121) |
| PATCH mail-in criminal history check | $22.00 | Pennsylvania State Police |
| Certified copy of court record (Clerk of Courts) | Varies — contact office | Beaver County Clerk of Courts fee schedule |
| Self-service record search (UJS web portal) | Free | Per Beaver County Clerk of Courts record research procedure |
Processing Times
- PATCH online: Results are often returned within minutes for records that produce a match or a "no record" response. Some requests may require additional review.
- PATCH mail-in: Allow several weeks for processing and return by mail.
- Clerk of Courts (in person): Typically same-day for standard copies if the docket number is known.
- Clerk of Courts (by mail): Processing times depend on volume; contact the office for current estimates.
For the most current fee amounts at the county level, contact the Beaver County Clerk of Courts directly at (724) 728-5700 or visit the record research procedure page on the county website.