Cameron County Criminal Court Records and Case Search
Cameron County felony records are held by the combined courts office in Emporium, Pennsylvania. The county is part of the 59th Judicial District, which it shares with Elk County. Because Cameron is one of the smallest counties in Pennsylvania by population, several court offices operate under a single person rather than separate departments. This guide explains who holds these records, how to contact them, and where to search online for criminal case information. All details are for reference only.
Cameron County Quick Facts
Cameron County Felony Records at a Glance
Cameron County is located in north-central Pennsylvania. With one of the lowest populations of any county in the state, the courthouse in Emporium serves a small but active caseload. The 59th Judicial District is shared with neighboring Elk County, but each county maintains its own court records. Felony cases filed in Cameron County are part of the public record and can be accessed through the county office or the statewide court system.
Criminal court records in Cameron County begin at the magisterial district level, where preliminary hearings are held. Once a case advances, it moves to the Court of Common Pleas. At that point, the combined courts office in Emporium takes custody of all case documents. These records include charging documents, bail decisions, plea agreements, verdicts, and sentencing orders.
The court records in Cameron County reflect the full range of felony case types, from drug offenses to crimes against persons. Every filing becomes part of the official docket and is generally available to the public.
Note: Cases involving juveniles or victims of certain crimes may be restricted and will not appear in a standard public records search.
Combined Courts Office in Cameron County
Cameron County combines several court-related offices under one person. Mary Grace Olay serves simultaneously as Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Register of Wills, and Recorder of Deeds. This arrangement is common in very small Pennsylvania counties where the volume of cases does not justify separate offices. For felony records specifically, the Clerk of Courts function within this combined role is the one you need.
The office is located at 20 East Fifth Street, Emporium, PA 15834. The main phone number is 814-486-3355. A separate line for Register and Recorder functions is available at 814-486-3349. The fax number is 814-486-0464. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. You can also reach the office by email at PROTHO@CAMERONCOUNTYPA.COM.
When you contact this office about felony records, ask specifically for criminal case records or docket information to make sure your request goes to the right function within the combined office. Having a name, date of birth, or case number will help staff find what you need quickly.
Note: Because all offices share a single staff, response times during busy periods may be longer than in larger county courthouses.
Cameron County Felony Records Online
The most direct way to search Cameron County felony records online is through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System. The UJS Case Search portal is free and publicly accessible. You can search by name, date of birth, or docket number. Results show the charges filed, case status, upcoming court dates, and final dispositions. The portal is updated frequently and reflects real-time docket information from the Court of Common Pleas.
This image is sourced from the Cameron County official website.
The county website links to court contacts and provides information about office hours and services available in Emporium.
For statewide criminal history reports, the PATCH system run by the Pennsylvania State Police is the authorized source. PATCH reports pull from the state's central criminal history repository and cover convictions and arrests across all Pennsylvania counties, not just Cameron. These reports are used in background checks and carry official certification from the state police.
The 59th Judicial District and Court Records
Cameron County is part of the 59th Judicial District, shared with Elk County. Despite this arrangement, criminal records are filed and stored separately in each county. A felony committed in Cameron County will have its case records in the Cameron County courthouse in Emporium, not in Elk County. When searching for records, always check the correct county based on where the alleged offense occurred and where charges were filed.
The image below comes from the PA Courts Cameron County page.
The PA Courts page for Cameron County lists judge assignments and court contact details for the 59th Judicial District.
The Pennsylvania Courts website maintains an individual page for Cameron County with current judge listings, court schedules, and contact information. This resource is useful when you need to know which judge is assigned to a case or want to understand the court's schedule for hearings. All information on that page comes directly from the state court administration office.
Cameron County's small size means fewer active felony cases compared to urban counties, but access to records follows the same rules statewide. Pennsylvania's criminal records laws under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 apply equally to all 67 counties.
Criminal History Records and Clean Slate
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate 3.0 law, enacted on February 12, 2024, expanded automatic sealing of certain criminal records. Under this law, eligible non-violent felony convictions can be sealed after a period of clean behavior without a new offense. When a record is sealed, it no longer appears in most public searches, including UJS lookups and PATCH reports. This change affects how you interpret a search that returns no results.
Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, individuals may petition for expungement of criminal records in specific circumstances. Expungement removes the record entirely from public access. An expunged record would not show in any public search tool. Understanding these laws helps explain why a person might have a limited or missing criminal history in public databases even if charges were once filed.
Section 9121 of Title 18 governs who can receive criminal history record information and under what circumstances. These rules apply to both county-level searches and statewide reports. Certain types of recipients, such as law enforcement agencies, have broader access than members of the general public. For most people searching on their own, the UJS portal and PATCH system are the appropriate tools.
If you believe a record should exist but cannot find it, contact the combined courts office at 814-486-3355. Staff can confirm whether a case is in their system, though they cannot always explain why a record may be restricted or sealed.
State Resources for Cameron Records
Several state agencies provide tools that complement a Cameron County felony records search. The Pennsylvania DOC Inmate Locator lets you search for individuals currently incarcerated in state prison. This tool uses name or inmate number and shows current facility placement but does not display court records or charges.
For individuals seeking to restore their rights after a conviction, the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons oversees the pardon and commutation process. A pardon does not remove a criminal record but can restore certain rights. The board's website explains the application process and eligibility criteria. Pardons are granted by the Governor after a recommendation from the board.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records handles appeals when a Right-to-Know request is denied. For non-court county records, the Right-to-Know Law under 65 P.S. § 67.101 gives the public a general right to access government documents. Criminal court records, however, are governed by the court system rather than the open records law. Requests for court documents should go directly to the combined courts office in Emporium rather than through a Right-to-Know request.
Note: The Office of Open Records cannot compel the court system to release records, as courts operate under separate rules administered by the state Supreme Court.
Searching Cameron County Records in Practice
A practical search for Cameron County felony records typically starts with the UJS portal. Enter the person's full name and narrow the search with a date of birth if you have it. The portal will return all matching cases filed in Common Pleas courts across Pennsylvania, and you can filter for Cameron County specifically. Each result links to a full docket sheet with case details.
If the UJS search returns nothing, the record may not exist, may be sealed, or may have been expunged. The next step is to call the combined courts office at 814-486-3355 during business hours. Staff can do a manual check if you have identifying information. For a certified background check, use PATCH rather than the UJS portal, as PATCH results carry official weight for purposes like licensing applications.
Cameron County's courthouse at 20 East Fifth Street in Emporium is open weekdays from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. In-person visits allow you to review original case files and request copies. Copy fees may apply. Bring identification and the information you have about the case or person you are searching for.
Key resources for a Cameron County felony records search include:
- Combined courts office (in person or phone): 814-486-3355
- UJS Case Search portal (online, free): ujsportal.pacourts.us
- PATCH background check system: epatch.state.pa.us
- DOC Inmate Locator (state prison only): cor.pa.gov
- Board of Pardons (restoration of rights): bop.pa.gov
Cities in Cameron County
Cameron County is a rural, sparsely populated county. Emporium is the county seat and the main population center. It is the hub for all court activity in the county. Other small communities include Driftwood, Sterling Run, and Lumber. All criminal cases from across the county are handled by the Court of Common Pleas in Emporium, and records are held at the combined courts office on East Fifth Street.
Nearby Counties
Cameron County borders Elk County to the west and Potter County to the east, among others. If a person has moved or if a case crosses county lines, it is worth checking the records in these neighboring counties as well. Each county maintains its own separate court records system.