Criminal records in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. BedfordPACourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Bedford County. The state's Unified Judicial System portal, the Bedford County Clerk of Courts, and the Pennsylvania State Police also serve as access points for criminal case data and background checks.
How to Search Criminal Records in Bedford
There are multiple ways to search for criminal records in Bedford County. Choose the method that fits your situation.
Through BedfordPACourt.us
Start at BedfordPACourt.us to search publicly available court record information for Bedford County. You can look up cases using a defendant's name or case number.
Online via the UJS Portal
Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System provides a statewide Case Search tool that includes Bedford County Court of Common Pleas records. You can also access docket sheets for criminal cases filed in the county.
To begin a search, you will typically need one or more of the following:
- Defendant's full name (first and last)
- Date of birth
- Docket number or case number
Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Check
For an official criminal background check, use the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system. This is the state criminal history repository maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police and returns records from across the commonwealth.
Inmate Lookup
To locate someone currently incarcerated in a state facility or the Bedford County Jail, use the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate/Supervised Individual Locator. You will need the person's last name or inmate number.
In Person
Visit the Bedford County Clerk of Courts office at the courthouse to search criminal case files in person. Public access terminals may be available during regular business hours.
Bedford County Clerk of Courts
The Unified Judicial System's Clerks of Courts directory confirms current contact details.
By Mail
You can submit a written request to the Clerk of Courts at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and the case number if available. Enclose any required fees by check or money order payable to the Bedford County Clerk of Courts. For statewide criminal history records, submit a request through the PATCH system or contact the Pennsylvania State Police directly.
Search Bedford Criminal Cases by Case Number
Pennsylvania uses a standardized docket number format across all Courts of Common Pleas. A Bedford County criminal case number typically follows this pattern:
CP-05-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY
- CP — Court of Common Pleas
- 05 — Bedford County's numeric code within the Unified Judicial System
- CR — Criminal case type (other prefixes include SA for summary appeals or MD for miscellaneous docket)
- XXXXXXX — Sequential case number
- YYYY — Year the case was filed
For Magisterial District Court cases (preliminary hearings, summary offenses), the format changes to MJ-XXXXX-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY, where MJ identifies the magisterial district judge's office number.
Enter the full docket number into the UJS Portal case search to pull up the exact case, including docket entries, charges, and hearing dates.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Bedford
Criminal docket sheets from Bedford County contain several categories of information. Here is what each means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Pennsylvania title and section number (e.g., 18 Pa.C.S. § 2701 for Simple Assault) |
| Grade | Felony (F1, F2, F3), Misdemeanor (M1, M2, M3), or Summary offense |
| Original charges | Charges as initially filed by the district attorney |
| Amended charges | Charges modified through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion |
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Active | Case is currently proceeding through the court |
| Pending | Case has been filed but not yet resolved |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.) |
| Closed | All proceedings, including sentencing and post-trial motions, are complete |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Formal reading of charges; defendant enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing — Held before a magisterial district judge to determine if enough evidence exists to hold the case for trial
- Pre-trial conference — Meeting between prosecution and defense to discuss evidence, plea offers, and trial preparation
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where the case is decided on its merits
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation, restitution, or other court orders
Court Results
| Disposition | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was convicted of the charge |
| Not guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Nolle prossed | Prosecution chose not to pursue the charge |
| Dismissed | Court dismissed the charge, often for lack of evidence or procedural reasons |
| ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) | First-time offender diversion program; successful completion may lead to expungement |
| Guilty plea | Defendant entered a plea of guilty, often as part of a negotiated agreement |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Bedford
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and can be used for legal proceedings, employment verification, and other formal purposes.
Where to Request
- Bedford County Clerk of Courts — handles certified copies of criminal docket sheets, court orders, and judgments filed in the Court of Common Pleas
- Pennsylvania State Police (PATCH) — provides official criminal history background checks for the entire commonwealth via PATCH
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Courts at the Bedford County Courthouse during business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Clerk of Courts at the address below. Include the defendant's full name, case number, a description of the documents needed, and a check or money order for applicable fees.
- Online (background checks only): Use the PATCH system for statewide criminal history. Results are typically available within minutes for online submissions.
Bedford County Clerk of Courts
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Written requests by mail should include the requester's full name, address, and reason for the request
You can also submit a Right-to-Know Law request through the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records for certain public records held by county agencies.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Bedford
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PATCH online criminal history check | $22.00 | Paid online via credit/debit card at epatch.pa.gov; results often returned same day |
| PATCH mailed criminal history check | $22.00 | Submit to Pennsylvania State Police; processing may take several weeks |
| Certified copy of court document (Clerk of Courts) | Varies | Contact the Clerk of Courts at 814-623-4833 for the current per-page and certification fee |
| Uncertified copy of court document | Varies | Generally lower than certified copies; confirm with the clerk |
Pennsylvania's fee for PATCH checks is set by statute under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq. (the Criminal History Record Information Act). County-level copy and certification fees are established by local court fee schedules. Contact the Bedford County Clerk of Courts directly for the most current fee amounts, as these may be updated periodically.
Processing Times
- PATCH online: Typically returned within minutes to 24 hours
- In-person requests at the Clerk of Courts: Often fulfilled the same day, depending on the complexity of the request
- Mail requests: Allow 1–3 weeks for processing and return mailing
For questions about probation and parole records or the status of a supervised individual, contact the Bedford County Probation Office at the courthouse.