Indiana County Public Records /Indiana County Criminal Records

Indiana County Criminal Records

What Is Indiana County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county jurisdiction. These records encompass a comprehensive chronology of criminal activity, legal proceedings, and judicial determinations as maintained by various county and state agencies.

Criminal records typically include several distinct categories of information:

Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, including the Indiana County Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments, and state law enforcement entities operating within county boundaries.
Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings adjudicated through the Indiana County Court of Common Pleas, including arraignments, preliminary hearings, trial proceedings, and case dispositions.
Incarceration Records: Information regarding periods of confinement at the Indiana County Jail or state correctional facilities.
Probation/Parole Records: Documentation of supervised release conditions and compliance status.

Pursuant to Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183), criminal records are categorized according to severity and status:

Felony Records: Documentation of serious offenses typically punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year.
Misdemeanor Records: Documentation of less severe offenses typically punishable by imprisonment of less than one year.
Summary Offenses: Minor infractions typically punishable by fines or brief incarceration.

The maintenance and accessibility of these records vary significantly based on case status and subject demographics:

Adult Records: Generally accessible to the public with certain exceptions.
Juvenile Records: Subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Pennsylvania law, with limited accessibility except to authorized parties.
Active Cases: Ongoing investigations and pending prosecutions may have restricted access.
Expunged/Sealed Records: Cases removed from public access pursuant to court order.

The primary agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Indiana County include:

Indiana County Sheriff's Office
825 Philadelphia St.
Indiana, PA 15701-3973
Phone: (724) 465-3930
Indiana County Sheriff's Office

Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
825 Philadelphia Street, 2nd Floor
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: (724) 465-3855
Indiana County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts

Indiana County Jail
665 Hood School Rd.
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: (724) 471-7500
Indiana County Jail

Are Criminal Records Public In Indiana County

Criminal records in Indiana County are generally considered public information pursuant to Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101) and the Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9121). These statutes establish the presumption that government records, including criminal records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law states: "A record in the possession of a Commonwealth agency or local agency shall be presumed to be a public record." This presumption of openness applies to most criminal records maintained by Indiana County agencies, including:

Court dockets and case files from the Indiana County Court of Common Pleas
Criminal complaint information
Arrest records
Conviction data
Sentencing information
Incarceration records

However, Pennsylvania law establishes important exceptions and limitations to public access:

Ongoing Investigations: Records relating to active criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure under 65 P.S. § 67.708(b)(16).
Juvenile Records: Pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 6308, records pertaining to juvenile offenders are generally confidential and not accessible to the public, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses.
Sealed or Expunged Records: Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are removed from public access.
Limited Access Orders: Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1, certain misdemeanor convictions may be subject to limited access orders, restricting their visibility to law enforcement agencies only.
Protected Information: Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and certain victim information is redacted from public records.

The Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act specifically addresses the dissemination of criminal history record information, stating that court administrators "shall extract from the records of the courts of common pleas...and transmit to the central repository such information as required" for the maintenance of criminal history records, while also establishing protocols for public access to this information.

Members of the public seeking access to criminal records in Indiana County must follow established procedures and may be required to submit formal requests through the appropriate county agencies, as detailed in subsequent sections.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Indiana County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Indiana County may utilize several established methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each with specific protocols and limitations.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit:

Indiana County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
825 Philadelphia Street, 2nd Floor
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: (724) 465-3855
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Indiana County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts

The procedure for in-person criminal record searches includes:

Complete the appropriate request form, available at the Clerk's office
Present valid government-issued photo identification
Specify the search parameters (name, case number, date range)
Pay applicable search and copy fees
Wait for staff to retrieve the requested records

For mail-based requests, requestors should:

Download and complete the Criminal Record Search Request Form from the county website
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
Enclose the required search fee (typically $10-25 per name searched)
Mail the request package to the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office

For comprehensive criminal history information, Pennsylvania's Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system provides statewide criminal record checks:

Visit the PATCH website
Select the appropriate search type (public, individual, volunteer)
Complete the required information fields
Submit payment for non-volunteer searches
Receive immediate results for "no record" findings or await processing for record matches

For criminal records related to specific cases in the Court of Common Pleas, the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal provides case information:

Access the UJS Portal
Select the appropriate search option (criminal, civil, etc.)
Enter search criteria (name, case number, etc.)
Review search results and case dockets

Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121(b), criminal history record information shall be disseminated by a state or local police department to any individual or non-criminal justice agency only upon request.

How To Find Criminal Records in Indiana County Online?

Indiana County residents and interested parties can access various criminal records through several online portals maintained by county and state agencies. These digital resources provide convenient access to criminal justice information while adhering to Pennsylvania's public records laws.

The primary online resources for accessing Indiana County criminal records include:

Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal
- Access at: https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/
- This comprehensive portal provides access to:
  - Criminal case docket sheets
  - Court calendars and schedules
  - Case status information
  - Filing information
- Search parameters include:
  - Defendant name
  - Case number
  - Filing date range
  - Offense type
- No registration is required for basic searches, though advanced features may require user accounts
Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH)
- Access at: https://epatch.pa.gov/
- Provides official criminal history record checks
- Offers three search types:
  - Public (fee-based)
  - Individual (fee-based)
  - Volunteer (no fee)
- Results include:
  - Conviction information
  - Pending case information
  - Disposition data
- Registration is required for organizational users
Indiana County Jail Inmate Lookup
- Accessible through the Indiana County Jail website
- Provides current inmate population information
- Search by inmate name
- Information includes:
  - Booking date
  - Current charges
  - Bond information
  - Expected release date (when available)
Indiana County Sheriff's Office
- The Sheriff's Office website provides:
  - Active warrant information
  - Sex offender registry data
  - Recent arrest information
Indiana County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
- The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts portal offers:
  - Case filing information
  - Document indexes
  - Historical case records

Users should note that while these online resources provide substantial access to criminal record information, certain limitations exist:

Complete criminal history reports require formal requests through PATCH
Certain case details may only be available through in-person requests
Sealed, expunged, or juvenile records are generally not accessible online
Document images and full case files typically require in-person requests

Pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.701(a), agencies must provide public records in the medium requested if those records exist in that medium. This provision supports the online availability of criminal records that have been digitized.

Can You Search Indiana County Criminal Records for Free?

Indiana County provides several avenues for free access to criminal records, though certain limitations and fee structures apply depending on the nature and extent of the information sought. Pennsylvania law establishes both free inspection rights and circumstances where reasonable fees may be assessed.

Free access options include:

In-Person Inspection
- Pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.701(a), public records must be available for inspection during regular business hours
- Locations offering free inspection include:
  - Indiana County Courthouse
    - 825 Philadelphia Street
    - Indiana, PA 15701
    - Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
  - Indiana County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Office
    - 825 Philadelphia Street, 2nd Floor
    - Indiana, PA 15701
    - Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Online Resources with Free Components
- Unified Judicial System Web Portal
  - Basic case searches are free
  - Docket sheet viewing is free
  - No registration required for basic searches
- Indiana County Sheriff's Office website
  - Active warrant information
  - Public safety notifications
- Indiana County Court of Common Pleas website
  - Court calendars
  - Basic case status information
PATCH Volunteer Searches
- Criminal history checks for volunteer purposes are provided at no cost
- Available through the PATCH system
- Requires certification that the search is for volunteer purposes

Fee-based services include:

Certified Copies
- Court documents: $10-25 per document
- Criminal history reports: $10-20 per search
- Exemplification: $25-50 per document
Non-Volunteer Criminal History Checks
- PATCH public searches: $22 per search
- PATCH individual searches: $22 per search
Extensive Research Requests
- Staff research time: $15-25 per hour
- Document retrieval from archives: $25-50 per case
Reproduction Costs
- Photocopies: $0.25-0.50 per page
- Digital media: $1-5 per CD/DVD
- Large format documents: $2-5 per page

The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for duplication and specialized document processing, but prohibits charging for the review of records to determine whether they are subject to access. The law specifically states that "fees for duplication by photocopying, printing from electronic media or microfilm, copying onto electronic media, transmission by facsimile or other electronic means and other means of duplication shall be established by the Office of Open Records."

What's Included in a Indiana County Criminal Record?

Criminal records maintained by Indiana County agencies contain standardized information categories that document an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content and structure of these records adhere to Pennsylvania state standards while reflecting county-specific documentation practices.

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, distinguishing features)
Photograph/mugshot (when available)
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and processing details
Initial charges filed
Bail/bond information
Detention facility information
Arresting agency incident number

Court Case Information:

Court docket number
Court of jurisdiction (typically Indiana County Court of Common Pleas)
Case filing date
Formal charges filed by the prosecutor
Statutory citations and offense classification (felony/misdemeanor/summary)
Plea information
Legal representation details
Preliminary hearing outcomes
Pre-trial motions and rulings
Trial information (if applicable)

Case Disposition:

Final verdict or case outcome
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Community service requirements
- Treatment program mandates
Post-conviction proceedings
Appeal information
Probation/parole status and violations

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders
Sex offender registration requirements
Specialized court participation (Drug Court, Veterans Court, etc.)
DUI/DWI history
Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Prior criminal history summary

The Indiana County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts maintains the official court records containing case filings, proceedings, and dispositions. The Indiana County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and warrant information, while the Indiana County Jail maintains incarceration records.

Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102, criminal history record information is defined as "information collected by criminal justice agencies concerning individuals, and arising from the initiation of a criminal proceeding, consisting of identifiable descriptions, dates and notations of arrests, indictments, information or other formal criminal charges and any dispositions arising therefrom."

How Long Does Indiana County Keep Criminal Records?

Indiana County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's Bureau of Archives and History, as mandated by the County Records Act (16 P.S. § 13001-13006). These schedules prescribe minimum retention periods for various categories of criminal records.

The standard retention periods for criminal records in Indiana County include:

Court Records:

Criminal Case Files (Felonies): Permanent retention
Criminal Case Files (Misdemeanors): 20 years after case closure
Criminal Case Files (Summary Offenses): 7 years after case closure
Court Dockets and Indices: Permanent retention
Sentencing Orders: Permanent retention
Probation/Parole Records: 10 years after supervision termination
Protection From Abuse Orders: 10 years after expiration

Law Enforcement Records:

Arrest Reports: 20 years
Investigation Files (Major Crimes): Permanent retention
Investigation Files (Other Crimes): 5 years after case closure
Incident Reports: 5 years
Fingerprint Cards: 75 years
Photographs/Mugshots: 75 years
Warrant Information: Until executed plus 7 years

Incarceration Records:

Inmate Files: 7 years after release
Commitment Records: Permanent retention
Inmate Medical Records: 7 years after release
Visitor Logs: 3 years

Administrative Records:

Criminal History Compilations: Permanent retention
Statistical Reports: Permanent retention
Sex Offender Registration: Lifetime of registrant plus 7 years

These retention periods represent minimum requirements, and in practice, many records are maintained for longer periods or permanently, particularly with the advent of digital record-keeping systems. The Indiana County Court of Common Pleas and Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts maintain permanent archives of significant criminal case files.

Certain records may be subject to special retention rules:

Homicide Cases: All records are permanently retained regardless of outcome
Sexual Offense Cases: Extended retention periods (50+ years)
Juvenile Records: Subject to specialized retention schedules with provisions for expungement
Expunged Records: Removed from public access but often archived for limited official use

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has established additional retention guidelines through Administrative Orders that may supersede county schedules for court records. Under Pa.R.J.A. No. 507, certain court records must be retained according to a uniform schedule applicable to all counties.

Digital records are increasingly maintained indefinitely, though access policies may restrict their availability based on case type, age, and legal status.

Lookup Criminal Records in Indiana County

Sheriff's Office - Indiana County Pennsylvania

Indiana County Jail - Indiana County Pennsylvania

Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts - Indiana County Pennsylvania

Court of Common Pleas - Indiana County Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History - Home

Request a Criminal History Background Check | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania