Criminal records in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, can be accessed through several channels. BradfordCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. You can also search through the state's Unified Judicial System portal, the Clerk of Courts office, and law enforcement agencies such as the Pennsylvania State Police. Each source provides different levels of detail, from docket sheets and case summaries to certified criminal history reports.
How to Search Criminal Records in Bradford
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Bradford County. The method you choose depends on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- BradfordCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Bradford County.
- UJS Portal (Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania) — Pennsylvania's statewide case search tool lets you look up criminal docket sheets filed in the Bradford County Court of Common Pleas and magisterial district courts. You can search by participant name, docket number, or case type.
- Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) — Run by the Pennsylvania State Police, PATCH provides criminal history background checks. Results include arrests that led to dispositions across the state. An online request returns results for cases with no record found; cases with a record are mailed.
In Person
Visit the Bradford County Clerk of Courts office inside the courthouse. Public access terminals or staff assistance may be available for looking up docket information. Bring the defendant's full name and, if possible, date of birth or case number.
By Mail
You can request criminal history records by mail through the Pennsylvania State Police. Notarized copies of criminal record checks must be submitted by mail to the Bureau of Records and Identification. Include the subject's full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and a completed request form along with the required fee.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case or docket number (if known)
- Social Security number (required for PATCH mail requests)
Search Bradford Criminal Cases by Case Number
Pennsylvania uses a standardized docket number format across all courts. If you already have a case number, this is the fastest way to pull up a specific record on the UJS Portal.
The format follows this pattern:
- Court prefix — identifies the court type (e.g., CP for Court of Common Pleas, MJ for Magisterial District Judge, CR for criminal)
- County code — a two-digit number identifying the county. Bradford County's code is 08.
- Case type indicator — identifies whether the case is criminal (CR), miscellaneous (MD), or another category
- Sequential number — the case's unique number within that year
- Year — the four-digit filing year
For example, a Bradford County Court of Common Pleas criminal case might appear as: CP-08-CR-0001234-2024. Enter this number exactly as formatted into the docket number search field on the UJS Portal for precise results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Bradford
Criminal docket sheets in Bradford County contain several categories of information. Here's what each means in practice.
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Pennsylvania Crimes Code section (e.g., 18 Pa.C.S. § 2701 for Simple Assault) |
| Grade | Felony (F1, F2, F3), Misdemeanor (M1, M2, M3), or Summary offense |
| Original vs. amended charges | Charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations; both the original and amended charges appear on the docket |
| Count number | Each individual charge listed in the complaint receives a separate count |
Case Status
- Active — The case is currently being processed through the court
- Pending — Awaiting a hearing, trial, or other court action
- Disposed — The case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, etc.)
- Closed — All proceedings, including sentencing and post-sentence motions, are complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally read the charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing — A magisterial district judge determines whether enough evidence exists to send the case to the Court of Common Pleas
- Pre-trial conference — Both sides discuss possible resolutions before trial
- Trial — The case is heard by a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — A follow-up to check compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecution
- Nolle prossed — The Commonwealth chose not to prosecute
- ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) — A diversionary program for eligible first-time offenders; successful completion can lead to expungement
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Bradford
Certified copies carry an official seal and are accepted by courts, employers, and licensing agencies. Where you request them depends on the type of record you need.
Court Records (Docket Sheets, Case Files)
The Clerk of Courts office in Bradford County maintains criminal and juvenile court records for the Court of Common Pleas. To request certified copies:
- Visit the office in person or submit a written request by mail
- Provide the case docket number or the defendant's full name and date of birth
- Pay the applicable copy and certification fees
- A valid government-issued photo ID is recommended when requesting records in person
Statewide Criminal History (PATCH)
For a certified criminal background check covering all Pennsylvania jurisdictions, submit a request through the PATCH system. Online requests that return a "no record" result are available immediately. If a record exists, the response is mailed. For notarized or certified copies, you must submit by mail to the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Records and Identification.
Right-to-Know Requests
Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.), you may also submit a formal open records request. The PA Office of Open Records provides guidance and appeal processes if a request is denied.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Bradford
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PATCH online criminal history check | $22.00 | Per request; paid by credit card online at epatch.pa.gov |
| PATCH by mail (notarized/certified) | $22.00 | Money order or certified check payable to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
| Court record copies (Clerk of Courts) | Varies | Contact the Clerk of Courts at 570-265-1707 for the current per-page rate |
| Certification fee | Varies | An additional fee applies for the court seal on certified copies; ask the clerk for the exact amount |
Processing Times
- PATCH online (no record found) — Results returned immediately
- PATCH online (record exists) — Mailed within approximately 2–3 weeks
- PATCH by mail — Allow 3–4 weeks for processing and return mailing
- Clerk of Courts (in person) — Often available the same day, depending on staff availability and the complexity of the request
- Clerk of Courts (by mail) — Typically 1–2 weeks, depending on volume
- Right-to-Know requests — Agencies must respond within 5 business days, though a 30-day extension is permitted under the law
Fee amounts for PATCH are set by the Pennsylvania State Police under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq. (the Criminal History Record Information Act). Court copy and certification fees are established by the Bradford County Clerk of Courts in accordance with local fee schedules. Contact the Bradford County Court of Common Pleas directly to confirm current rates before submitting a request.