Criminal records in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, can be accessed through several channels. HuntingdonCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for the county. Additional access points include Pennsylvania's statewide court portal, the Huntingdon County Clerk of Courts, law enforcement agencies such as the Huntingdon County Sheriff's Office, and the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history repository.
How to Search Criminal Records in Huntingdon
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Huntingdon County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need an official certified copy or just want to look up case details.
Online Search Options
- HuntingdonCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information for Huntingdon County cases. You can search by name or case number.
- UJS Portal Case Search — The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides a free statewide case search tool. Select Huntingdon County, then search by participant name, docket number, OTN (Offense Tracking Number), or complaint number.
- Common Pleas Docket Sheets — View criminal docket sheets filed in the Huntingdon County Court of Common Pleas, including charges, dispositions, and sentencing details.
- Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) — Run a statewide criminal history background check through the Pennsylvania State Police. This is a name-based search and costs $22.00 per request.
- PA Department of Corrections Inmate Locator — Search for individuals currently incarcerated in a Pennsylvania state prison, including those committed from Huntingdon County. Search by name, inmate number, or committing county.
In Person
Visit the Huntingdon County Clerk of Courts office at the courthouse. Public access terminals or staff assistance may be available to look up criminal case dockets. Bring the defendant's full name, date of birth, or case number to speed up your search.
Huntingdon County Clerk of Courts
By Mail or Written Request
- County-level records: Send a written request to the Clerk of Courts at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, and any known case numbers. Include a check or money order for applicable copy fees.
- Statewide criminal history: You can submit a written request to the Pennsylvania State Police for an official criminal history record check. The mail-in form requires a $22.00 fee payable by certified check or money order.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required for online portal searches)
- Case number or docket number (if known)
- OTN or complaint number (for UJS Portal searches)
Search Huntingdon Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, it is the fastest way to pull up a specific criminal record. Pennsylvania uses a standardized docket number format across its courts.
Pennsylvania Case Number Format
Criminal cases filed in the Huntingdon County Court of Common Pleas follow this structure:
CP-31-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY
- CP — Court of Common Pleas
- 31 — Huntingdon County's county code
- CR — Criminal case type ("CR" for criminal; "SA" for summary appeal)
- XXXXXXX — Sequential case number
- YYYY — Year the case was filed
Magisterial District Court cases use a different prefix:
MJ-31XXX-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY
- MJ — Magisterial District Judge
- 31XXX — The specific district court office number within Huntingdon County
Enter the full docket number on the UJS Portal to retrieve the docket sheet, which includes charges, hearing dates, bail information, and disposition details.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Huntingdon
Criminal docket sheets in Huntingdon County contain detailed information about each case. Here is what the key data points mean.
Charges
- Statute codes: Each charge references a section of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (Title 18) or other applicable statute (e.g., Title 75 for vehicle offenses).
- Severity: Charges are graded as felony (F1, F2, F3), misdemeanor (M1, M2, M3), or summary offense.
- Amended charges: Prosecutors may amend original charges through plea negotiations or based on evidence. Both original and amended charges appear on the docket.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Active | Case is currently proceeding through the court system. |
| Pending | Charges have been filed but no final disposition has been entered. |
| Disposed | The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, acquittal, dismissal, etc.). |
| Closed | All court proceedings and obligations (fines, probation) are complete. |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: Formal reading of charges; defendant enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary hearing: A magisterial district judge determines whether enough evidence exists to hold the case for trial at the Court of Common Pleas.
- Pre-trial conference: Attorneys and the judge discuss case management, potential plea agreements, or trial scheduling.
- Trial: Bench trial or jury trial where guilt or innocence is determined.
- Sentencing: The judge imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review hearing: Post-sentencing check on compliance with probation or other conditions.
Court Results (Dispositions)
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was convicted of the charge, either by plea or verdict. |
| Not Guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial. |
| Dismissed | The charge was dropped by the prosecution or dismissed by the court. |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecution elected not to pursue the charge. |
| Withdrawn | The charge was withdrawn before disposition. |
| Guilty Plea — Negotiated | Defendant pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement. |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Huntingdon
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and can be used for legal proceedings, background verifications, and other formal purposes. In Huntingdon County, the Clerk of Courts is the office that maintains and certifies criminal case records.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Courts at the Huntingdon County Courthouse. Request the specific case documents you need and ask for certified copies.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Clerk of Courts with the defendant's name, case number, and the specific documents needed. Include payment for copy and certification fees.
- Right-to-Know request: For certain records, you may submit a formal request under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. The Right-to-Know Request Form can be downloaded from the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.
Statewide Criminal History
For a comprehensive criminal history report covering all Pennsylvania jurisdictions, submit a request through the PATCH system online or by mail to the Pennsylvania State Police, Central Repository. You will need the subject's full name and date of birth. A government-issued photo ID is required for in-person requests.
Identification Needed
- Valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Subject's full legal name and date of birth
- Case number (if requesting specific court documents)
Huntingdon County Clerk of Courts
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Huntingdon
Fees for criminal record copies and background checks in Huntingdon County are set by county fee schedules and state statute. Contact the Clerk of Courts to confirm current rates, as fees may change.
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PATCH criminal background check (online) | $22.00 | Pennsylvania State Police; results typically available within minutes for online requests |
| PATCH criminal background check (by mail) | $22.00 | Pennsylvania State Police; processing may take several weeks |
| Certified copy of court document | Varies — contact Clerk of Courts | Huntingdon County Clerk of Courts; per-page copy fees plus certification fee |
| Standard (uncertified) document copies | Varies — contact Clerk of Courts | Typically charged per page |
| Right-to-Know Law request | First response is free; duplication fees may apply | Per 65 P.S. § 67.1307; fees for copies beyond initial response |
Processing Times
- PATCH online: Results are often returned within minutes.
- PATCH by mail: Allow two to four weeks for processing.
- Clerk of Courts (in person): Simple requests may be fulfilled the same day, depending on staff availability and volume.
- Clerk of Courts (by mail): Allow one to two weeks, not including mail transit time.
- Right-to-Know requests: Agencies must respond within five business days, with a possible 30-day extension under 65 P.S. § 67.902.
Payment methods accepted at the Clerk of Courts office typically include cash, check, or money order. Call ahead to confirm whether credit or debit cards are accepted.