Erie County Criminal Records and Felony Case Search
Erie County felony records are maintained by the Clerk of Records at the Erie County Courthouse in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania. The county sits in Pennsylvania's 6th Judicial District and operates under a Home Rule Charter, which merges several court record offices into a single department. Criminal case filings, docket sheets, motions, and related court documents are available through both the county's own online portal and the statewide UJS case search system. This guide explains where to search, what records are public, and how to request copies or file petitions in Erie County.
Erie County Quick Facts
Erie County Clerk of Records Office
Erie County uses a Home Rule Charter structure that combines several offices into one department. The Clerk of Records handles functions that most Pennsylvania counties split across separate elected offices. This single office covers the Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Clerk of Orphans' Court, and the Marriage Licenses Bureau. That means criminal records, civil filings, deed recordings, and estate matters all fall under one roof at the Erie County Courthouse.
The official Erie County Clerk of Records is Aubrea Hagerty-Haynes, who was elected in 2021. Her path to the role came through years of hands-on court work. She served as an executive secretary in the District Attorney's Office, then moved to a Senior Criminal Records Clerk and Coordinator position before becoming First Deputy Clerk of Courts in 2018. That background gave her direct experience with the criminal records systems she now oversees. The Clerk of Courts bureau has 13 employees, including a Records Manager who helps coordinate daily operations.
The office is located at the Erie County Courthouse, 140 West Sixth Street, Room 103, Erie, PA 16501. The main phone number is 814-451-6080. The Criminal Division line is 814-451-6250. You can reach the Prothonotary division by email at prothonotary@eriecountypa.gov. Erie County was incorporated on March 12, 1800, making it one of the older counties in the state. It is also one of only five counties in Pennsylvania that operates under a Home Rule Charter.
The screenshot below comes from the Erie County Clerk of Records website, which lists all divisions and contact details for the combined office.
The site provides direct links to each bureau, form downloads, and instructions for common requests like expungements and record copies.
Note: The Clerk of Courts operates under Pennsylvania Constitution Article V, Section 15 and 42 Pa. C.S.A. 2700, which set the legal basis for the office's record-keeping duties.
Erie County Felony Records Online
Erie County provides two main paths for searching criminal records online. The first is the county's own case search portal at courtpro.eriecountypa.gov. This system covers civil records handled through the INFOCON platform as well as links to criminal case data. The second path is the statewide UJS Portal maintained by the Pennsylvania unified judicial system. Criminal records filed with Erie County's Court of Common Pleas are searchable on the UJS Portal at no cost.
The screenshot below is from the Erie County case search portal, which serves as the county's local access point for both civil and criminal case lookups.
Using the portal, you can search by party name, case number, or docket number to pull up case status and filing history.
On the UJS Portal, you can search Erie County felony records by defendant name, date of birth, or docket number. Results include docket sheets that show charges filed, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing information. The system covers Court of Common Pleas cases, including felony and misdemeanor charges. Summary offense cases may appear as well, depending on the court of origin.
Civil records for Erie County run through the INFOCON system, which is a separate platform from the criminal docket interface. If you need civil case data, the Prothonotary division handles those files. For criminal matters, the Clerk of Courts bureau is your point of contact at 814-451-6250.
Note: The UJS Portal shows court case data only and does not represent a complete criminal history report from state police records.
What Erie Felony Records Contain
A criminal docket sheet in Erie County contains a wide range of case details. Each record lists the defendant's full name, date of birth, and physical description. The charges filed against the defendant appear with statute citations and degree classifications, such as first-degree felony or third-degree felony. Arrest dates, arraignment dates, and all subsequent hearing dates are part of the docket as well. The presiding judge and assigned defense attorney are also listed.
Beyond the basic case facts, docket sheets track the full procedural history of a case. This includes bail decisions, motions filed by either side, continuance requests, jury selection dates, and verdict entries. If the case resulted in a conviction, the sentencing order and any restitution amounts appear in the record. Post-conviction filings like appeals or PCRA petitions show up on the docket once filed.
The Clerk of Courts bureau maintains the physical and electronic files for all of these documents. Motions, transcripts, court orders, and exhibits filed in criminal cases are stored and indexed by the bureau's staff. Requests for copies of specific documents can be made in person at Room 103 or by phone at the Criminal Division number.
The image below is sourced from the PA Courts page for Erie County, which provides an overview of the court structure within the 6th Judicial District.
That page also links to judge profiles, court rules, and administrative contact information for the Erie Court of Common Pleas.
Fees for Erie County Criminal Records
Erie County charges set fees for certain court-related services. A criminal record search through the Clerk of Courts costs $10. Filing a bail bond carries a fee of $16.50. Filing a summary appeal costs $43.50. A direct appeal to the Superior Court requires a filing fee of $91.25. Copy fees for individual documents are assessed separately based on the number of pages requested.
Bail payments for Erie County cases can be made through the PAePayBail portal, which is Pennsylvania's statewide online bail payment system. This option is available around the clock and accepts credit and debit card payments. For in-person payments or questions about a specific case balance, the Criminal Division at 814-451-6250 can provide account details and accept payment at the courthouse window.
There is no charge to view docket sheets through the UJS Portal or the Erie County case search portal. Fees apply only when you request certified copies, file new documents, or pay for services performed by court staff.
Note: Fee schedules are set by state court rules and may be updated periodically, so confirm current amounts with the Clerk of Courts before submitting payment.
Erie County Expungement Forms and Process
The Erie County Clerk of Courts bureau offers several forms related to expungement and record limitation. Available forms include the expungement petition, the limited access petition, and forms specific to ARD expungements. These forms can be obtained at the courthouse or through the Clerk of Courts page on the county website. Additional forms available at the office include the summary appeal form, bail bond forms, and the PA State Police background check request form.
Before filing an expungement petition, most attorneys recommend running a PATCH background check first. The PATCH system at the Pennsylvania State Police shows the official criminal history record that would be subject to an expungement order. Knowing exactly what appears on that record helps ensure the petition addresses all relevant charges. PATCH checks can be requested online for a small fee and are typically returned quickly.
Once you have the petition prepared, it is filed with the Clerk of Courts bureau at Room 103 in the courthouse. The petition is then scheduled before a judge in the Court of Common Pleas. If granted, the expungement order is sent to relevant agencies directing them to remove or seal the record. The Clerk of Courts coordinates that process and maintains a file copy of the order.
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate 3.0 law, signed February 12, 2024, expanded automatic sealing eligibility for certain nonviolent offenses. Cases that qualify under Clean Slate 3.0 may be sealed without a petition. However, many felony convictions do not qualify for automatic sealing and require a formal petition or a pardon through the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons.
Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, courts may grant expungements for arrests not leading to conviction, summary offense dispositions after a waiting period, and certain other qualifying circumstances. The petition process in Erie County follows the same framework as the statewide rules under that statute.
Criminal History Checks and PATCH in Erie County
The official source for a certified Pennsylvania criminal history report is the PATCH system run by the Pennsylvania State Police. A PATCH check queries the central repository maintained under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101, which defines the scope of criminal history record information kept by the state. Court docket searches through the UJS Portal or the county's own case portal are not substitutes for a PATCH report. Docket searches show case filings and dispositions within the court system, but they may not reflect all charges, corrections, or updates recorded at the state level.
PATCH reports are used for a wide range of purposes, from personal review to institutional background screenings. The report reflects disposition data submitted by courts across the state, including Erie County's Court of Common Pleas. Charges that were dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in acquittal may still appear on a docket search but should show their final disposition clearly. The PATCH report consolidates this information into a standardized format from the state police repository.
For those who want to review or correct their own criminal history record, the Pennsylvania State Police provides a challenge process. If a record contains an error or an outdated entry, a formal challenge can be submitted to request a correction. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records handles appeals related to record access denials under 65 P.S. § 67.101 and the Right-to-Know Law.
SCI Albion, a state correctional institution, is located in Erie County. Inmate records for individuals held in Pennsylvania's state prison system can be checked through the DOC Inmate Locator maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
Note: A court docket search shows what was filed in court, while a PATCH report shows the official criminal history compiled by state police from statewide court data submissions.
Cities in Erie County
The city of Erie is the county seat and the largest municipality in Erie County. It is also the only city in the county with its own dedicated records page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Erie County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. Use the link below to explore criminal records resources across the state.