Fulton County Criminal and Felony Records Guide
Fulton County is one of Pennsylvania's smallest counties by population. The county seat is McConnellsburg, where the Court of Common Pleas handles all felony cases. Criminal records and court dockets are maintained locally and through the statewide UJS Portal. Residents and researchers can find felony records, case histories, and docket sheets through multiple channels. This guide covers every major access point, from online tools to in-person requests at the Fulton County courthouse.
Fulton County Quick Facts
Fulton County Court of Common Pleas
Fulton County operates within Pennsylvania's 39th Judicial District. This district is shared with neighboring Franklin County. The Court of Common Pleas in McConnellsburg hears all criminal matters, including felony charges, misdemeanors, and appeals from lower courts. The courthouse sits at 201 N. Second Street, McConnellsburg, PA 17233.
One defining feature of Fulton County's court system is the consolidation of offices under one elected official. Stephanie Sherman serves as Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Register of Wills, and Clerk of Orphans' Court. This is common in smaller Pennsylvania counties, where the volume of filings does not justify separate staff for each role. Sherman's office maintains all criminal dockets, civil case files, and estate records in a single location. You can reach her office by phone at 717-485-4212, by fax at 717-485-5568, or by email at prothonotary@co.fulton.pa.us.
The Fulton County website provides contact details and basic office hours. The Pennsylvania Courts page for Fulton County lists judicial assignments and district information. Both are useful starting points before you visit in person or submit a written request.
The image below, sourced from the Fulton County website, shows the courthouse and sheriff's office that serve residents in McConnellsburg.
This facility is the central hub for all felony case processing in the county, including arraignments, trials, and post-conviction proceedings.
Searching Fulton County Felony Records
The primary online tool for searching felony records in Fulton County is the UJS Portal, maintained by the Pennsylvania unified court system. This portal covers all 67 counties and provides docket sheets, case summaries, and participant information. You can search by name, docket number, or date of birth. Most felony filings in Fulton County appear in the portal within a few business days of the initial filing.
In-person requests are accepted at the Clerk of Courts office at 201 N. Second Street. Office staff can pull dockets, print case summaries, and confirm case status. Mail requests are also accepted. When writing to the office, include the full name of the subject, the approximate year of the case, and a clear description of what you need. A self-addressed stamped envelope can help speed up the return of documents.
Fulton County also participates in the INFOCON system for civil records, which is a separate channel from criminal docket access. Criminal felony records are accessed through UJS or directly through Sherman's office.
Note: Some older Fulton County cases from before electronic filing may only be available through a direct in-person or mail request to the courthouse.
Fulton County Criminal Records and Dockets
The Clerk of Courts maintains the official criminal dockets for every case that passes through the Court of Common Pleas. A docket sheet is the official record of a case. It lists each filing, each court date, and every action taken by the court. Felony dockets in Fulton County show the original charges, any amendments, bail decisions, preliminary hearing outcomes, trial verdicts, and sentencing orders.
The image below comes from the Pennsylvania Courts page for Fulton County and illustrates how court information is organized at the state level.
Reading a docket sheet requires some familiarity with court terminology. The docket lists each party by role, such as defendant, Commonwealth, or victim. Charges appear with statute references. Each disposition entry tells you what happened at that stage of the case.
Verdicts are listed as guilty, not guilty, nolle prosequi (charges dropped), or dismissed. Sentences appear as a separate entry and may include state prison time, county jail, probation, fines, or a combination. If a case is appealed, the appeal is noted on the same docket with a reference to the Superior Court filing number.
Note: Docket sheets do not always explain the reason behind court decisions; they record outcomes, not reasoning.
Criminal Background Checks in Fulton County
Pennsylvania offers two main paths for criminal background checks. The first is the court docket system accessed through the UJS Portal or directly through county clerks. The second is the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system at epatch.state.pa.us. These two sources serve different purposes and return different types of information.
PATCH provides an official, certified record of criminal history as maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police. Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101, the Criminal History Record Information Act governs how this data is collected, stored, and released. PATCH results reflect statewide arrests and convictions reported by law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania. Court dockets accessed through UJS or through the Fulton County clerk reflect the full case record, including charges that did not result in conviction.
For individuals seeking their own records, PATCH allows self-request submissions. Results are typically returned by mail. The Pennsylvania State Police maintains a helpline for PATCH users who have questions about their results or need to dispute inaccurate entries. Fulton County residents should confirm the office hours before visiting in person, as Sherman's office serves multiple functions and scheduling can vary.
Record Sealing and Expungement in Fulton County
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate 3.0, enacted February 12, 2024, expanded automatic sealing eligibility to cover a broader range of convictions. Under this law, certain misdemeanor convictions and some lower-level felony records may be sealed automatically after a waiting period without any petition from the individual. The sealing process runs through the court system and applies statewide, including Fulton County.
For cases that do not qualify for automatic sealing, a petition for expungement or limited access must be filed with the Clerk of Courts. In Fulton County, that petition goes to Stephanie Sherman's office at the McConnellsburg courthouse. The petition must state the basis for relief and include supporting documentation. The court reviews the petition and may schedule a hearing. The Commonwealth has the right to object.
More serious convictions, including most felonies of the first and second degree, are not eligible for sealing or expungement under current law. For those cases, a pardon from the Governor is the only route to relief. The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons reviews pardon applications and makes recommendations to the Governor. The process takes time and requires a full hearing before the board.
Individuals seeking expungement in Fulton County should also review 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, which lists the specific grounds for expungement under Pennsylvania law. A local attorney familiar with Fulton County procedures can help prepare the petition and represent the applicant at any hearing.
Note: Automatic sealing under Clean Slate 3.0 does not affect federal databases or records held outside the Pennsylvania court system.
Right to Know Law in Fulton County
Pennsylvania's Right to Know Law, codified at 65 P.S. § 67.101, gives the public the right to request records held by government agencies. In Fulton County, this law applies to records maintained by the county itself, including records held by Sherman's office in her capacity as a county official. Court records, however, are governed by separate court rules and not solely by the RTKL.
Criminal court records are generally public under Pennsylvania's court access rules. There are exceptions. Juvenile records are sealed by default. Certain records related to ongoing investigations may be withheld. Records that have been expunged or sealed under Clean Slate are no longer accessible through public searches.
To submit a Right to Know request in Fulton County, contact the county's open records officer. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records provides templates and guidance for filing RTKL requests. If a request is denied, the OOR handles appeals. Fulton County must respond to RTKL requests within five business days, with possible extensions.
For court records specifically, requests submitted directly to the Clerk of Courts are more appropriate than a formal RTKL request. The clerk can provide certified copies of docket sheets, orders, and other filings from the official case record. Fees may apply for copies.
Nearby Counties
Fulton County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. Each maintains its own court records and access procedures.