Criminal records in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. WestmorelandCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through the Unified Judicial System of the state's court portal, the Clerk of Courts office, county law enforcement agencies, and the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system.
How to Search Criminal Records in Westmoreland
There are several ways to search for criminal records — online, in person, and by mail.
Online Search
- WestmorelandCourt.us — enter a name or case number to view publicly available information about county criminal cases.
- County Case Lookup — the Case Lookup page provides separate links for civil and criminal cases. Criminal court records are part of the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System.
- Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal — free statewide docket sheet search. Also available through the PAeDocket® app. You can search by case number, participant name, or date of birth.
- PATCH (Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History) — the State Police system for criminal history checks. Available for individuals and registered users (companies, agencies).
- County Inmate Search — database of current inmates at Westmoreland County Prison in accordance with CHRIA (18 Pa. C.S.A. § 9101 et seq.). For state-level sentenced inmates, use the Department of Corrections Inmate Locator.
In-Person Visit
The Clerk of Courts maintains dockets and records for the Court of Common Pleas. Visit the office in the courthouse in Greensburg to use public access terminals or request staff assistance.
Written Request
Send a request by mail to the Clerk of Courts or use the Open Records Request procedure. Requests can also be faxed to (724) 830-3055.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
Search Westmoreland Criminal Cases by Case Number
In Pennsylvania, criminal case numbers have a standard format consisting of several parts:
- County Prefix — code identifying the court (e.g., CP for Court of Common Pleas or MJ for Magisterial District Court)
- County Code — two-digit number assigned to Westmoreland County in the Unified Judicial System
- Case Type — CR denotes a criminal case
- Sequential Number and Year — unique case number within the year of filing
Example: CP-65-CR-0001234-2024, where 65 is the code for Westmoreland County. If you have the case number, enter it on the Pennsylvania Judiciary court portal — this is the fastest way to find a specific docket sheet with all details.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Westmoreland
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the Pennsylvania Criminal Code (e.g., 18 Pa. C.S. § 3502 — Burglary) |
| Severity Level | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Summary Offense with degree indication (1st, 2nd, 3rd) |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be amended by the prosecutor before or during the trial — the updated docket reflects these changes |
Case Status
- Active / Pending — the case is under court consideration
- Disposed — the court has made a decision (verdict, closure, or dismissal)
- Closed — all procedural actions are complete, including appeals
Hearings
A criminal case in the Court of Common Pleas typically goes through the following stages:
- Arraignment — the defendant's first appearance before a judge, charges are announced
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is sufficient cause to proceed to trial
- Pre-Trial Conference — discussions between parties before the trial begins
- Trial — substantive court proceedings
- Sentencing — issuance of a sentence after a guilty verdict
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with sentence conditions (probation, etc.)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed by court or prosecutor decision |
| Nolle Prosequi | Prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Westmoreland
Certified copies of criminal records are issued by the Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts. This office is responsible for maintaining the dockets of the Court of Common Pleas.
Ways to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the office in the courthouse in Greensburg. Bring photo identification.
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the case number or the full name of the defendant, date of birth, and purpose of the request.
- Through Open Records Request — complete the open records request form and mail it to the Open Records Officer or fax it.
For an official state-level criminal history check, use the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system.
Contact Information
Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts
Open Records Officer
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Westmoreland
Fees for criminal records in Pennsylvania are regulated at both the state and county levels. Below are the main rates.
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal history check via PATCH (no records) | $0.00 | Free if no records are found |
| Criminal history check via PATCH (records found) | $22.00 | Payable online by credit card |
| Document copy (standard) | $0.25 per page | According to PA Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.1307) |
| Certified copy | Depends on document type | Check with Clerk of Courts |
Processing Times
- PATCH online — results are usually available within minutes, sometimes up to 24–48 hours if additional verification is needed.
- Open Records Requests — according to the Right-to-Know Law, the agency must respond within 5 business days. This period may be extended by an additional 30 days if justified.
- In-Person Visit — simple copies are generally issued on the day of the visit.
Exact certification fees at the Clerk of Courts may vary. Call ahead to confirm current rates and acceptable forms of payment before visiting.