Criminal records in Chester County, Pennsylvania, can be accessed through online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. ChesterCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Chester County. Additional access points include the statewide Unified Judicial System web portal, the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history repository, and the Chester County Clerk of Courts office located at the Chester County Justice Center in West Chester.
How to Search Criminal Records in Chester County
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Chester County. The approach you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need an official certified copy or just case details.
Online Search Options
- ChesterCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to Chester County criminal cases. You can search by name or case number.
- UJS Web Portal (PAeDocket) — The Chester County Public Access page links to the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's web portal, where you can look up docket sheets for criminal cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. Search by participant name, docket number, or case details.
- Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) — The PATCH system maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police allows anyone to request an official criminal history background check. This searches statewide law enforcement records, not just Chester County.
- Federal Cases — For federal criminal cases originating in Chester County, search through PACER. Chester County falls within the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
- Sex Offender Registry — Pennsylvania's Megan's Law website provides public access to information about registered sex offenders.
In Person
Visit the Chester County Clerk of Courts office at the Justice Center in West Chester. Public access terminals may be available for searching docket information. Staff can assist with locating specific criminal case files.
By Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of Courts: Submit a written request to the Chester County Clerk of Courts for copies of criminal docket sheets or case documents. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available).
- State Criminal History: You can request a criminal history background check by mail through the Pennsylvania State Police. Mail-in requests require a completed request form and payment.
- Right-to-Know Requests: Certain law enforcement records may be obtained through a Right-to-Know request under Pennsylvania's Open Records Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.).
What You Need to Start a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required)
- Case or docket number (if available)
- Approximate date range of the case
Search Chester County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Pennsylvania uses a standardized docket number format across all Courts of Common Pleas. A Chester County criminal case number typically follows this pattern:
CP-15-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY
- CP — Court of Common Pleas
- 15 — Chester County's county code (each Pennsylvania county has a two-digit code)
- CR — Criminal case type (other prefixes include MD for Magisterial District cases or SA for summary appeals)
- XXXXXXX — Sequential case number
- YYYY — Filing year
Magisterial District Court cases use a different format: MJ-15XXX-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY, where the five-digit number after MJ identifies the specific district court.
If you have a case number, enter it directly into the UJS web portal for the fastest results. Case number searches return exact matches and avoid the ambiguity that name searches can produce.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Chester County
Criminal docket sheets in Chester County contain detailed information about each case. Here is what the key data points mean:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | References the specific section of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (Title 18) or other statute violated |
| Charge Description | Plain-language description of the offense |
| Severity/Grade | Felony (F1, F2, F3), Misdemeanor (M1, M2, M3), or Summary offense |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be added, reduced, or withdrawn as the case progresses through the court |
| Sequence Number | Each charge on a docket is numbered sequentially |
Case Status
- Active: Case is currently proceeding through the court system
- Pending: Awaiting a scheduled hearing or action
- Disposed: All charges have been resolved — by verdict, plea, dismissal, or other final action
- Closed: Case is fully concluded, including sentencing and any post-disposition matters
- Inactive: Case activity has been suspended, often due to a bench warrant or fugitive status
Hearing Types
- Preliminary Arraignment: Initial appearance where bail is set
- Preliminary Hearing: Magisterial District Judge determines whether sufficient evidence exists to hold the case for trial
- Formal Arraignment: Defendant enters a plea at the Court of Common Pleas level
- Pre-Trial Conference: Attorneys discuss case resolution or trial preparation
- Trial: Bench or jury trial
- Sentencing: Court imposes penalties after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review Hearing: Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results
| Disposition | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not Guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Nolle Prossed | Prosecution withdrew the charge(s) |
| Dismissed | Court dismissed the charge(s) |
| ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) | Pre-trial diversion program; successful completion may lead to expungement |
| Guilty Plea — Negotiated | Defendant pled guilty as part of a plea agreement |
| Withdrawn | Charge was withdrawn by the Commonwealth |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Chester County
Certified copies of criminal case records are handled by the Chester County Clerk of Courts. These are official copies bearing the court seal, suitable for legal proceedings, employment verification, or other formal purposes.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Courts office at the Chester County Justice Center. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Clerk of Courts specifying the case number, defendant name, and the documents you need. Include payment for applicable fees.
- Online filing: The Clerk of Courts accepts filings through PACFile, the Unified Judicial System's electronic filing system. Check with the office about whether certified copy requests can be submitted this way.
What You Need
- Full name of the defendant
- Case or docket number
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment for copy and certification fees
Contact Information
Chester County Clerk of Courts
Statewide Criminal History Check
For a comprehensive Pennsylvania criminal history report, submit a request through the PATCH system online or by mail to the Pennsylvania State Police. This check covers all Pennsylvania law enforcement records, not just Chester County court records.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Chester County
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Docket sheet copy (UJS web portal) | Free | Unofficial copy viewable and printable online |
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.25 | Standard per-page rate set by Pennsylvania statute (42 Pa.C.S. § 1725) |
| Certification fee | $5.00–$7.00 | Per document certified by the Clerk of Courts; verify current rate with the office |
| PATCH criminal background check (online) | $22.00 | Paid via credit card at epatch.pa.gov |
| PATCH criminal background check (by mail) | $22.00 | Money order or certified check payable to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
| FBI fingerprint-based background check | $23.25 | Required for certain employment and licensing purposes; processed through an approved vendor |
Processing Times
- Online docket searches: Immediate results
- PATCH online requests: Typically returned within minutes for "no record" results; records responses may take longer
- In-person certified copies: Often available the same day, depending on staff availability and request complexity
- Mail requests: Allow 2–4 weeks for processing and return delivery
Fees are subject to change. Contact the Clerk of Courts directly to confirm current rates before submitting a request. For statewide background check fees, refer to the Pennsylvania State Police background check page.