Criminal records in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, can be accessed through several channels. BucksCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Official court systems — including the Bucks County Clerk of Courts — maintain criminal case files, while law enforcement agencies such as the Bucks County Sheriff's Office handle warrants and related records. Many court records are publicly accessible via free online portals or available upon request.
How to Search Criminal Records in Bucks County
You can search Bucks County criminal records using several methods. To begin, you will typically need at least one of the following:
- Defendant's full name
- Date of birth
- Case number or docket number
- OTN (Offense Tracking Number)
Through BucksCourt.us
Start at BucksCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information associated with Bucks County criminal cases.
Online — Official Portals
- Bucks County Docket Lookup — The county provides docket lookup links for criminal case search and docket information, Magisterial District Court cases, and civil matters. The criminal case search allows you to look up cases by name or docket number.
- Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal (UJS) — The statewide Unified Judicial System web portal provides public access to Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court dockets across all Pennsylvania counties, including Bucks.
- PATCH (Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History) — Run by the Pennsylvania State Police, PATCH lets you request a criminal history background check online. This returns statewide criminal history results, not just Bucks County.
- Inmate Lookup — For individuals in state custody, use the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator. County-level inmates are not included in this tool.
In Person
Visit the Bucks County Clerk of Courts office at the Justice Center. Public access terminals may be available for docket searches. Staff can assist with locating specific criminal case files.
By Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of Courts — Submit a written request to the Clerk of Courts at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, and case number if known. Enclose any required fees.
- Pennsylvania State Police — For a statewide criminal history record, you can submit a written request through the PSP's PATCH system or by mail using the SP4-164 form. Details are available on the PSP background check page.
- Right-to-Know Requests — Bucks County accepts records requests under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. Court records follow separate procedures governed by the PA Office of Open Records fee schedule.
Search Bucks County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Pennsylvania uses a standardized docket number format across its Court of Common Pleas. A typical Bucks County criminal case number looks like this:
CP-09-CR-0001234-2024
- CP — Court of Common Pleas
- 09 — County code for Bucks County (each Pennsylvania county has a two-digit code)
- CR — Case type; CR indicates a criminal case (other prefixes include SA for summary appeals and MD for Magisterial District cases)
- 0001234 — Sequential case number assigned by the court
- 2024 — Year the case was filed
Magisterial District Court cases use a different format: MJ-07XXX-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY, where 07XXX identifies the specific magisterial district within Bucks County.
If you have a case number, enter it directly into the UJS web portal or the Bucks County docket lookup to pull the full docket sheet, which includes charges, hearing dates, and dispositions.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Bucks County
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Pennsylvania Crimes Code section (e.g., 18 Pa.C.S. § 3502 for burglary). Each charge references a specific statute. |
| Grade / Severity | Felony (F1, F2, F3), Misdemeanor (M1, M2, M3), or Summary offense. F1 is the most serious felony; Summary is the least serious. |
| Amended Charges | Original charges may be amended through plea negotiations or at the discretion of the district attorney. The docket will show both original and amended charges. |
Case Status
- Active — Case is currently proceeding through the court system.
- Pending — Charges have been filed but initial proceedings may not yet be complete.
- Closed / Disposed — All proceedings are finished. A disposition has been entered.
- Inactive — Case activity has stalled, often because the defendant has not been located or a bench warrant is outstanding.
Hearing Types
- Preliminary Arraignment — Defendant is informed of charges and bail is set.
- Preliminary Hearing — A magisterial district judge determines whether sufficient evidence exists to hold the case for trial.
- Formal Arraignment — Defendant enters a plea at the Court of Common Pleas level.
- Pre-Trial Conference — Prosecution and defense discuss potential resolution before trial.
- Trial — Bench trial or jury trial.
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review Hearing — Post-sentencing check on compliance with probation or other conditions.
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Defendant was convicted at trial or entered a guilty plea.
- Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial.
- Nolle Prosequi — Prosecution declined to pursue the charge.
- Dismissed — Court dismissed the charge, often for insufficient evidence or procedural reasons.
- ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) — A pre-trial diversion program common in Pennsylvania for first-time, non-violent offenses. Successful completion can lead to expungement.
- Withdrawn — Charge was withdrawn before disposition.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Bucks County
Clerk of Courts (County-Level Criminal Records)
The Bucks County Clerk of Courts is the custodian of criminal case files for the Court of Common Pleas. You can request certified copies of docket sheets, court orders, and other criminal case documents.
How to submit a request:
- In person — Visit the Clerk of Courts office at the Justice Center. Bring a valid photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request specifying the defendant's name, case number, and the documents needed. Include payment for applicable fees.
Pennsylvania State Police (Statewide Criminal History)
For an official statewide criminal history record, submit a request through PATCH. Online results are typically returned within minutes for a no-record response. Records that require manual review may take longer.
- Online — Complete the request at epatch.pa.gov. You will need the subject's full name and date of birth.
- By mail — Submit the SP4-164 request form with payment to the Pennsylvania State Police, Central Repository.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Subject's full legal name and date of birth for all requests
- Case number or OTN, if available, speeds processing
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Bucks County
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PATCH online criminal history check | $22.00 | Per request; paid online via credit card. Set by the Pennsylvania State Police. |
| Certified copy of court document (Clerk of Courts) | Varies | Fees follow the schedule set by statute and the PA Office of Open Records. Contact the Clerk of Courts at 215-348-6389 for current per-page and certification rates. |
| Uncertified docket sheet copy | Free online | Available through the UJS web portal and the Bucks County docket lookup at no charge. |
| Right-to-Know request copies | $0.25 per page (standard) | Per the PA Office of Open Records fee schedule. Specialized records may incur additional fees. |
Processing Times
- PATCH online — No-record results are often returned within minutes. Requests requiring manual review by the State Police may take several business days.
- Clerk of Courts (in person) — Simple copy requests are often fulfilled the same day, depending on staff availability.
- Clerk of Courts (by mail) — Allow 5–10 business days for processing and return mailing.
- Right-to-Know requests — Agencies must respond within 5 business days under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 Pa.C.S. §§ 67.101–67.3104). A 30-day extension may be invoked for complex requests.