Bradford County Felony Records and Criminal Court Access
Bradford County felony records are filed and maintained through the 4th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas, located in Towanda, Pennsylvania. Tammy Hart serves as both Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts, overseeing criminal and civil filings from one combined office at 301 Main Street. The public can search case records through the statewide UJS portal or request documents directly from the courthouse. This page explains how Bradford County felony records are organized and how to access them.
Bradford County Quick Facts
Bradford County Felony Records and the Court Structure
Bradford County is part of Pennsylvania's 4th Judicial District. The Court of Common Pleas for this district handles all major criminal matters, including felony arraignments, trials, sentencing, and appeals. The courthouse sits at 301 Main Street in Towanda, which serves as the county seat.
Tammy Hart is the elected Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts for Bradford County. Her combined office manages both criminal and civil court records. The main phone line is 570-265-1705. The office fax is 570-265-1788. For written inquiries, you can reach the office at hartt@bradfordco.org. The address is 301 Main Street, Towanda, PA 18848.
As with several rural Pennsylvania counties, Bradford uses a dual-office system where one elected official manages records that in larger counties are split across two departments. This means one phone call or visit to Suite 144 handles both criminal and civil record requests. It simplifies the process for those searching for felony records in Bradford County.
Note: Because one office handles both docket types, be specific about whether you need criminal or civil records when you contact the clerk's office.
Searching Bradford Felony Records Online
The statewide UJS Case Search portal is the primary online tool for finding Bradford County felony records. It covers cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas and in local magisterial district courts. You can search by defendant name, docket number, or a date range. Results show charge information, case status, court dates, and outcome entries.
The Bradford County page on the PA Courts website provides verified contact details for the courthouse and judicial staff. This page is maintained by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts and reflects current information for the 4th Judicial District.
For criminal background checks, the Pennsylvania State Police offers the PATCH system online. PATCH draws from the statewide criminal history repository. Results cover convictions from Bradford County and all other Pennsylvania counties. The PSP website has instructions on how to submit a PATCH request and what types of records are included.
Bradford County Courthouse and Office Contacts
The Bradford County Courthouse is located at 301 Main Street, Towanda, PA 18848. Multiple offices operate from this address. Tammy Hart's Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary office is the main point of contact for court records. The District Court Administrator can be reached at 570-265-1707 for questions about court scheduling and administration.
The image below, sourced from the Pennsylvania Courts website, shows the official profile for Bradford County within the statewide court directory.
The PA Courts profile lists court leadership, current contact numbers, and a directory of key offices. It is a useful reference for confirming up-to-date information before submitting a records request.
The District Attorney's office handles criminal prosecution for Bradford County and can be reached at 570-265-1712. The DA's office reviews cases that advance from the magisterial level to the Court of Common Pleas and handles all felony prosecutions in the county.
Other Bradford County Records Offices
Not all court-related records go through the Clerk of Courts. Sheila Johnson serves as Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court in Bradford County and can be reached at 570-265-1702. Her office handles estate records, wills, and guardianship proceedings. These are separate from criminal felony records but are part of the broader court record system.
The county also maintains its own general information website at bradfordco.org. This site lists county departments, news, and resources. It is a helpful starting point for residents who are not sure which office handles a particular type of record.
Bradford County's court system also interacts with state-level agencies for record sharing and reporting. Convictions are reported to the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history repository, which feeds into the PATCH system and background check databases. Accurate reporting from the clerk's office ensures statewide records reflect Bradford County case outcomes.
Note: Orphans' Court records and estate filings are kept separately from criminal felony records, even though both offices share the same courthouse address.
Pennsylvania Record Access and Privacy Laws
Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act at 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 sets the framework for how criminal records are maintained, shared, and protected across all counties. Bradford County courts and agencies must follow CHRIA rules when releasing criminal history data. The law limits how that data can be used once obtained.
The Right to Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 provides the public with a formal right to request government records. This applies to many county records, including some court administrative documents. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records reviews disputes when agencies deny RTKL requests. Bradford County offices must respond within the legal timeframe.
Individuals with older Bradford County felony records may qualify for relief under several Pennsylvania laws. Expungement is available for certain cases under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121. Limited access sealing under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 applies to some misdemeanor and non-violent felony convictions. Clean Slate 3.0, signed on February 12, 2024, expanded automatic sealing for qualifying cases. The Board of Pardons offers a separate path for cases that do not qualify for expungement or sealing.
Bradford County Inmate Records
Bradford County residents sentenced to two or more years in state prison are tracked by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. The DOC Inmate Locator can be searched by name or inmate ID number. It returns current facility placement and projected release date for state inmates. Bradford County cases resulting in state sentences appear in this system after transfer to a state facility.
Sentences of less than two years are typically served at the Bradford County Correctional Facility. That facility is operated locally and is not part of the DOC inmate tracking system. Contact the county directly for information about inmates held at the county level.
Felony probation supervision through the Bradford County Adult Probation office is not a public record. However, probation conditions and supervision terms may appear in sentencing entries within the public court docket. These entries are searchable through the UJS portal by docket number or defendant name.
How to Request Bradford Felony Records
In-person requests can be made at 301 Main Street, Towanda, during normal courthouse hours. Bring as much identifying information as possible, including full name, date of birth, and approximate case date. Staff can assist with locating records by name or docket number.
Mail requests should go to Tammy Hart, Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, 301 Main Street, Towanda, PA 18848. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. You can also email hartt@bradfordco.org or fax 570-265-1788 to verify record availability or ask about copy fees before submitting a formal request.
For cases not yet digitized, courthouse staff may need to conduct a manual search. Older Bradford County felony records may only exist in physical docket books at the courthouse. Plan for additional processing time when requesting pre-digital records.
Note: Certified copies of court records carry a per-page fee; confirm current rates with the clerk's office before submitting your request.
UJS Portal and Bradford County Case Data
The image below, sourced from the Pennsylvania UJS portal, shows the statewide public access system used to search Bradford County and all other Pennsylvania county case records.
The UJS portal is updated as courts process filings, making it the most current publicly available source of Bradford County felony case information short of a direct courthouse visit.
Case data available through the portal includes docket entries, charge descriptions, plea and verdict records, and sentencing information. The portal does not provide access to underlying documents such as affidavits or transcripts. Those must be requested from the Clerk of Courts directly.
Nearby Counties
Bradford County is located in northeastern Pennsylvania and borders several other counties. Each county has its own court system and public records office. Use the links below to access felony records information for counties near Bradford.