Criminal records of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. SchuylkillCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through the Pennsylvania state judicial portal, the Clerk of Courts office of Schuylkill County, law enforcement agencies, and the sheriff's office. Below are step-by-step instructions for each search method.
How to Search Criminal Records in Schuylkill
To start your search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the person (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number (case number or docket number)
Through SchuylkillCourt.us
Visit SchuylkillCourt.us and enter the name or case number in the search field. The system will display publicly available information about criminal cases, including status, charges, and hearing dates.
Online through Official Portals
- Pennsylvania Judicial Portal — the Pennsylvania Judiciary (UJS) web portal offers docket sheet searches. The Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system allows ordering a criminal history check through the State Police.
- Inmate Search — the Inmate/Department Supervised Individual Locator from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections shows individuals in state facilities. A last name is sufficient for the search. Note: county jail inmates are not displayed there.
- Sheriff's Warrant List — the bench warrant list on the county sheriff's website contains a list of individuals with outstanding warrants.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Courts office in the Schuylkill County courthouse. There is access to criminal records of the Court of Common Pleas. Public terminals allow viewing docket sheets on-site.
By Mail
A written request can be sent to the Clerk of Courts at the address above or a state criminal history check can be ordered by mail through the Pennsylvania State Police. Include the full name of the person, date of birth, and reason for the request in your inquiry.
Search Schuylkill Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in Pennsylvania receives a unique docket number. In the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas, the format typically looks like this:
CP-54-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY
- CP — Court of Common Pleas
- 54 — Schuylkill County code in the Pennsylvania system
- CR — Criminal (criminal case)
- XXXXXXX — sequential case number
- YYYY — year of filing
For Magisterial District Court cases, a different prefix is used — MJ instead of CP, and the district number instead of the county code. If you have the exact docket number, searching through the judicial portal or SchuylkillCourt.us will take just seconds. Without a case number, you will have to search by name, and the results may include multiple records for individuals with common last names.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Schuylkill
Charges
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Reference to a section of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code or Vehicle Code (e.g., 18 Pa.C.S. § 3502 — Burglary) |
| Grading | Felony (1st, 2nd, 3rd degree), Misdemeanor (1st, 2nd, 3rd degree), or Summary offense |
| Amended charges | The charge may be amended by the prosecutor — the new wording replaces the original in the docket sheet |
Case Status
- Active / Pending — the case is open, the judicial process is ongoing
- Disposed — the court has rendered a decision: conviction, acquittal, or dismissal
- Closed — all obligations have been fulfilled, the case is archived
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — first presentation of charges, bail determination
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge assesses whether there is enough evidence to transfer the case to the Court of Common Pleas
- Pre-Trial Conference — parties discuss the possibility of a plea deal or prepare for trial
- Trial — case hearing on the merits (bench trial or jury trial)
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or verdict
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by court verdict or plea agreement |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after case review |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor dropped the charges |
| Dismissed | The court dismissed the case — often due to insufficient evidence |
| ARD | Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition — a program for first-time offenders; charges are dismissed upon completion |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Schuylkill
Certified copies of criminal records are issued by the Clerk of Courts of Schuylkill County. This office maintains records for the criminal division of the Court of Common Pleas.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the Clerk of Courts office in the courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license or passport).
- By Mail — send a written request including the full name, case number (if known), date of birth, and purpose of the request. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- State Criminal History Check — for an official criminal history report, apply online through PATCH or by mail to the Pennsylvania State Police.
For older archived records, you may need to contact the county archives department at the same address.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Schuylkill
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal history check via PATCH (online) | $22.00 | Payable by credit card; results usually available within minutes — up to 3 business days |
| Criminal history check via PATCH (by mail) | $22.00 | Money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; processing — up to 2–3 weeks |
| Copy of court document (Clerk of Courts) | $0.25–$0.50 per page | Exact rate may vary; check with the office |
| Document certification | Additional fee for certified stamp | Call the Clerk of Courts for the current amount |
Source of PATCH rates — Pennsylvania State Police (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq., Criminal History Record Information Act). Clerk of Courts fees are governed by the local fee schedule and may be updated periodically.
If you request records in person, copies are usually prepared during the same visit. Mail requests to the Clerk of Courts take 5 to 10 business days, depending on volume. For requests through the PA Office of Open Records (Right-to-Know Law), separate timelines apply — the agency must respond within 5 business days or notify of an extension.