Fayette County Felony Records and Criminal Case Search
Fayette County felony records are managed by the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The county operates within the 14th Judicial District and keeps its Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary as separate elected offices. Criminal case filings, docket sheets, bail records, and related court documents are accessible through the statewide UJS portal and the county's own online resources. This page covers how to find Fayette County criminal records, what those records contain, and how to file expungement or access requests.
Fayette County Quick Facts
Fayette County Clerk of Courts Office
The Fayette County Clerk of Courts is Timothy C. Dye. His office is located on the first floor of the courthouse at 61 East Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401. The mailing address uses a slightly different zip code: Fayette County Clerk of Courts, 61 East Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15425. The office phone is 724-430-1253 and the fax is 724-438-8410. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a closure from noon to 1:00 p.m. each day for a lunch break.
The mission statement for the office reads: "The Clerk of Courts Office is dedicated to serve the citizens and the Courts of Fayette County by keeping up-to-date and accurate information and by maintaining the security and integrity of all criminal records entrusted to the office." That focus on accuracy and integrity guides the daily work of maintaining criminal dockets, processing filings, and responding to public records requests.
Fayette County keeps its Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary as separate offices. The Prothonotary handles civil case filings and is a distinct elected position. Nina Capuzzi Frankhouser serves as Prothonotary and can be reached at 724-430-1272 or by email at nfrankhouser@fayettepa.org. The fax for the Prothonotary office is 724-430-4555. Both offices are in the same courthouse building at 61 East Main Street but operate independently.
The screenshot below is from the Fayette County Clerk of Courts page, which lists the office's services, hours, and contact information.
That page also links to the staff directory and forms related to criminal court filings in Fayette County.
Note: The office's local rules were last updated on January 1, 2023, and govern procedures for filings within the 14th Judicial District.
Searching Fayette County Felony Records
The primary online tool for searching Fayette County felony records is the UJS Case Search portal run by the Pennsylvania unified judicial system. This free public tool lets you look up cases by defendant name, docket number, or date of birth. Results include the full docket sheet for each case, showing charges, hearing history, dispositions, and sentencing data. Felony and misdemeanor cases filed in the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas are indexed here.
The county also maintains its own website at fayettecountypa.org, where you can find contact details, forms, and links to relevant resources. The staff directory for the Clerk of Courts lists individual staff members and their roles within the office, which can help you direct specific inquiries to the right person.
The screenshot below is sourced from the Fayette County staff directory for the Clerk of Courts bureau.
Knowing which staff member handles a specific record type can save time when requesting copies or checking on a filing status.
Fayette County joined the PACFile electronic filing system as of May 10, 2021. PACFile allows attorneys and self-represented litigants to submit court documents online rather than in person. The county also accepts credit and debit card payments for court fees, which makes remote transactions more accessible. In-person visits are still required for some services, particularly requests that need certified copies or notarized processing.
Note: PACFile access requires registration through the Pennsylvania courts system before you can submit filings electronically in Fayette County.
What the Fayette County Clerk of Courts Handles
The Fayette County Clerk of Courts manages a broad range of criminal and quasi-criminal court functions. Understanding the full scope of the office helps you identify where to go for specific filings or requests. The office handles all of the following:
- Bail processing and bond filings
- Expungement petitions and limited access petitions
- Summary appeals from district justice decisions
- Post-trial motions filed after verdict
- Appeals to appellate courts, including Superior Court and Commonwealth Court
- Liquor Control Board appeals
- Protection from abuse contempt filings and private detective license applications
Bail processing is one of the most time-sensitive functions of the office. When a defendant is released on bail, the bond documents must be processed and filed promptly. The office coordinates with the Fayette County Prison and the court to ensure that bail conditions are recorded and tracked in the docket. The prison can be reached at 724-430-1222 for questions about inmate status and release.
Post-trial motions and appellate filings require attention to strict procedural deadlines. The Clerk of Courts receives these documents, time-stamps them, and dockets them into the case record. Missing a filing window can have serious legal consequences, so the office maintains clear procedures for when and how documents can be submitted. Both in-person and PACFile electronic submission are accepted for qualifying filings.
The screenshot below is from the PA Courts page for Fayette County, which describes the structure of the 14th Judicial District and provides links to court contacts and administrative resources.
That page is a useful starting point when you need to understand which court handles a specific type of matter in Fayette County.
Fayette County Criminal Records and Case Access
A criminal docket sheet from Fayette County Court of Common Pleas contains detailed information about each case. The docket lists the defendant's name, date of birth, and address at the time of filing. Charges are shown with Pennsylvania statute references and degree levels. Each court date, from arraignment through sentencing or disposition, is recorded in the docket timeline. The assigned judge, prosecuting attorney, and defense counsel are all identified in the record.
Online access through the UJS Portal is free and available around the clock. You can view docket sheets, check hearing dates, and see case dispositions without visiting the courthouse. Printed or certified copies, however, must be requested through the Clerk of Courts office in person or by mail. Fees apply to copy requests, and the office processes them during regular business hours.
In-person access at 61 East Main Street is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The noon to 1:00 p.m. lunch closure is enforced, so plan visits before noon or after 1:00 p.m. to avoid delays. For time-sensitive matters, calling ahead to 724-430-1253 is a good way to confirm availability and find out what documents to bring.
Several other county departments work closely with the Clerk of Courts on criminal matters. The District Attorney's Office handles prosecution and can be reached at 724-430-1245. The Public Defender's Office assists defendants who qualify for appointed counsel and is at 724-430-1220. Adult Probation, which supervises those on probation or parole, operates at 724-430-1251. The Sheriff's Office, which handles courtroom security and civil process, is at 724-430-1295.
Expungement and Record Sealing in Fayette County
Expungement petitions in Fayette County are filed through the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse in Uniontown. The petition is reviewed by a judge in the Court of Common Pleas, and if granted, the order directs relevant agencies to remove or seal the record. The process follows statewide standards under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, which covers arrests not leading to conviction, ARD completions, and summary offense dispositions after the required waiting period. Limited access petitions for certain convictions fall under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121.
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate 3.0 law, which took effect February 12, 2024, expanded automatic record sealing for qualifying nonviolent offenses. Under this law, eligible cases are sealed without requiring a formal petition. This includes certain misdemeanor convictions after a set number of years without new offenses. However, most felony convictions do not qualify for automatic sealing and require either a court petition or a formal pardon.
For felony convictions that cannot be expunged or sealed through the courts, the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons is the appropriate avenue. A pardon from the Governor, recommended by the Board, can restore certain rights and may allow an expungement to follow. The Board of Pardons accepts applications from individuals seeking relief for past convictions that no longer reflect their current circumstances.
Before filing any petition, running a PATCH background check through the Pennsylvania State Police is strongly recommended. The PATCH report shows the official criminal history record that would be subject to the order, helping ensure the petition covers all relevant charges. PATCH results are available online and reflect what has been submitted to the state repository from courts across Pennsylvania, including Fayette County.
Note: An expungement order issued in Fayette County is sent to the Pennsylvania State Police and other relevant agencies, but processing times vary and the record may not disappear from all databases at once.
Open Records and Public Access in Fayette County
Most criminal court records in Fayette County are public documents under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, codified at 65 P.S. § 67.101. Docket sheets, charging documents, court orders, and sentencing records are generally open to any member of the public who requests them. The Clerk of Courts is the custodian of these records and processes access requests in accordance with both the Right-to-Know Law and applicable court rules.
Certain categories of records are restricted by law. Juvenile case records are confidential and are not available through the Clerk of Courts without a court order. Cases involving child victims of certain crimes may also have portions sealed to protect the victims. Mental health records that surface in criminal proceedings carry their own confidentiality protections. Identities of confidential informants and grand jury materials are also withheld from public access.
For records not directly related to criminal cases, the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records oversees the Right-to-Know Law process statewide. If a records request is denied by a county office, an appeal can be filed with the OOR for an independent review. The OOR publishes guidance on what agencies must disclose and what exemptions they may lawfully invoke.
The UJS Portal provides free online access to docket sheets for Fayette County cases without needing to file a formal records request. For documents not available through the portal, a written request to the Clerk of Courts at 724-430-1253 or in person at 61 East Main Street is the standard path. Certified copies carry a per-page fee set by court rule.
State-level inmate information for individuals in Pennsylvania's corrections system can be accessed through the DOC Inmate Locator. This database covers individuals housed in state correctional institutions, which is separate from the Fayette County Prison. County prison records are managed locally and may require a direct inquiry to the prison at 724-430-1222.
Nearby Counties
Fayette County shares borders with several other Pennsylvania counties. Somerset County to the east also maintains public criminal records through its own Clerk of Courts office.