Philadelphia County Felony Records
Philadelphia County felony records are maintained by the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Criminal Division. Philadelphia is Pennsylvania's most populous county, with over 1.6 million residents, and it generates a high volume of felony cases each year. The Criminal Justice Center at 1301 Filbert Street in Philadelphia handles all felony filings for the First Judicial District. This guide explains how to search Philadelphia County felony records, what those records contain, and where to go when you need copies.
Philadelphia County Quick Facts
How to Search Philadelphia Felony Records Online
The fastest way to find Philadelphia County felony records is through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal. This free tool covers all 67 counties, including Philadelphia. You can search by name, date of birth, or case number. Results show case status, charges filed, and key court dates. The portal does not require registration and is open to the public around the clock.
Visit ujsportal.pacourts.us to run a search for Philadelphia felony cases. Enter the person's last name, then filter results to show only Philadelphia County cases. Criminal cases in Philadelphia are labeled with a CP prefix followed by the two-digit county code for Philadelphia. Each case entry lists the docket number, the charges, and the current disposition. You can click into any case to see the full docket sheet, which details every filing and hearing in the record.
The Philadelphia Courts website also provides tools specific to this county. Go to courts.phila.gov to find local search options, court calendars, and contact information for the Criminal Division. Because Philadelphia handles more cases than any other Pennsylvania county, the local court portal can help you narrow your search when the statewide system returns many results with the same name.
The screenshot below shows the Philadelphia Courts website, which is the starting point for locating felony records tied to the First Judicial District.
The Philadelphia Courts website gives direct access to case search tools for the Criminal Division.
Using the court's local search alongside the statewide UJS Portal gives you the best chance of finding the felony record you need in Philadelphia County.
Philadelphia Court Structure for Felony Cases
Philadelphia County operates as a consolidated city-county. This means the city and county share the same government and judicial system. The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania covers Philadelphia exclusively. All felony cases in Philadelphia are heard by the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Criminal Division.
Felony cases in Philadelphia begin at the Philadelphia Municipal Court for a preliminary hearing. If a case is held for court, it moves to the Court of Common Pleas at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. The phone number for the Criminal Division is (215) 686-7000. The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office prosecutes all felony matters in the county. Judges of the Court of Common Pleas preside over trials and sentencing for all felony charges.
The Clerk of Courts for Philadelphia County keeps the official felony case files. Requests for certified copies of Philadelphia County felony records go to this office. You can visit in person at the Criminal Justice Center or call ahead to ask about mail and email requests for records.
Note: Philadelphia Municipal Court handles misdemeanors and preliminary hearings, but only the Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction over felony trials and sentencing in Philadelphia County.
Philadelphia Criminal Records and the PATCH System
Pennsylvania's PATCH system is the official source for criminal history background checks in the state. PATCH stands for Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History. It is managed by the Pennsylvania State Police and draws on records from courts and law enforcement across all counties, including Philadelphia. You can run a name-based search through PATCH to see whether someone has a felony conviction on record in Pennsylvania.
Visit epatch.state.pa.us to access the PATCH system. Results from PATCH reflect statewide criminal history, not just Philadelphia County. The PATCH report shows conviction dates, offense descriptions, and sentencing information. Because Philadelphia generates more criminal cases than any other county in Pennsylvania, PATCH is especially useful when researching people with ties to the city.
The resource below provides a direct path to Philadelphia criminal records through a county-specific guide.
The Philadelphia criminal records search guide covers local options for finding felony case information.
PATCH results and the UJS Portal together give you a thorough view of Philadelphia County felony history for any named individual.
Note: PATCH searches use name and date of birth, so results may include people with similar names. Always confirm a match by cross-checking the case number and charges on the UJS Portal.
What Philadelphia County Felony Records Contain
A Philadelphia County felony record is a collection of court documents created during the life of a criminal case. It begins the moment charges are filed and grows with each step in the process. Each document becomes part of the public court record under Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act, 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101, and the Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101.
A typical Philadelphia felony case record includes the criminal complaint, the affidavit of probable cause, the preliminary hearing transcript, the information or indictment, bail orders, pre-trial motions, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and any post-conviction filings. Each document carries the defendant's name, date of birth, case number, and the charges under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. The sentencing order shows the sentence imposed, any fines, restitution amounts, and conditions of probation or parole.
The felony record also shows the outcome clearly. You can see whether the case ended in a guilty plea, a jury verdict, an acquittal, or a dismissal. Disposed cases that ended without conviction may still appear in court records, though they are treated differently under sealing and expungement law. Active cases show hearing dates and current status.
The image below shows the Philadelphia County Courts portal, where you can access felony records and request copies of court documents.
The Philadelphia County Courts portal offers guidance on accessing felony records and requesting documents.
Reviewing the full docket sheet for a Philadelphia felony case gives you the most complete picture of a person's criminal history in this county.
Requesting Copies of Philadelphia Felony Records
You can request copies of Philadelphia County felony records in several ways. The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the records and whether you want plain copies or certified ones. Certified copies carry the court's official seal and are required for legal filings, immigration matters, and some licensing applications.
To request records in person, go to the Clerk of Courts at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Bring the case number if you have it, or the full name and date of birth of the person named in the record. Staff can pull the file and make copies while you wait, depending on case volume. Plain copies cost less than certified ones. Fees vary, so call (215) 686-7000 before visiting.
Online access through the UJS Portal gives you free access to docket sheets. These are not certified, but they show all the key facts in a Philadelphia felony case. For certified copies, you must contact the Clerk of Courts directly. Some requests can be handled by mail. Written requests should include the case number, the type of document needed, your contact information, and payment instructions. Call ahead to confirm the current mailing address and accepted payment methods for the Philadelphia Clerk of Courts.
Philadelphia Police records, including arrest reports, are separate from court records. You can request police reports through the open records process at phila.gov/open-records-policy. The Philadelphia Police Department handles arrest and incident reports through its own records unit, reachable at phillypolice.com.
Clean Slate Sealing Law and Philadelphia Felony Records
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law took full effect on February 12, 2024. Under this law, certain low-level felony convictions become eligible for automatic sealing after ten years. The law applies to felonies of the third degree and below, provided the person has completed their sentence and has no new convictions during the waiting period. Sealed records are not visible to the general public, though law enforcement agencies can still access them.
Philadelphia County felony records affected by Clean Slate are removed from public view in the UJS Portal after the sealing takes effect. This means a search may not show older low-level felony convictions if the eligibility requirements have been met. More serious felonies, including first-degree felonies and violent offenses, are not eligible for sealing under the Clean Slate law.
People who do not qualify for automatic sealing may petition the court for expungement or limited access. Petition-based relief requires filing a motion with the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office has an opportunity to respond. A judge decides whether to grant the petition. If granted, the court issues an order directing agencies holding the record to seal or destroy their copies.
For pardons, contact the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons at (717) 787-2596. A pardon from the Governor does not erase a conviction but can remove collateral consequences and strengthen a later petition for expungement in Philadelphia County.
Philadelphia Felony Records and the PA Courts System
The Pennsylvania Courts system provides a statewide view of how Philadelphia County felony records fit into the broader judicial structure. Philadelphia's First Judicial District is one of the largest trial court districts in the country. Understanding how this court connects to the rest of the state system helps when searching for felony records that may involve appeals or transfers.
After a Philadelphia felony conviction, the defendant has the right to appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior Court. If the Superior Court rules, that decision becomes part of the public record as well. Some cases reach the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. These appellate records can affect whether a conviction stands and whether the underlying Philadelphia County felony record reflects a final judgment or an ongoing appeal.
The PA Courts page for Philadelphia County provides background on the court's structure and jurisdiction. Visit the PA Courts Philadelphia County page for official information about the First Judicial District.
Checking both the trial court docket and the appellate record gives you the most accurate and up-to-date picture of any Philadelphia felony case.
If you need to locate a person who is currently incarcerated following a Philadelphia felony conviction, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections maintains an inmate locator at cor.pa.gov. This tool searches by name or inmate number and shows the current facility and projected release date.
Note: Inmate locator results reflect DOC custody only. Defendants held in Philadelphia county jail before trial or awaiting transfer may not appear in the DOC system until they are received at a state facility.
Cities in Philadelphia County
Philadelphia is a consolidated city-county. All felony cases are filed at the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.
Nearby Counties
Philadelphia County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. Felony cases are filed in the county where the offense occurred.