Clearfield County Criminal Records
What Is Clearfield County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Clearfield County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183), which establishes guidelines for the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history information.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories of documentation:
- Arrest Records: Documents generated when law enforcement takes an individual into custody based on probable cause that a crime has been committed
- Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings, including arraignments, preliminary hearings, trials, and sentencing
- Conviction Records: Records indicating a formal judgment of guilt following a plea or trial
- Incarceration Records: Documentation of time served in county jail or state prison facilities
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records merely indicate that an individual was taken into custody, while conviction records confirm legal guilt. Under Pennsylvania law, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and arrest without subsequent conviction should not be construed as evidence of criminal activity.
Criminal offenses in Clearfield County are categorized as follows:
- Felonies: Serious crimes punishable by more than one year in state prison
- Misdemeanors: Less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year in county jail
- Summary Offenses: Minor infractions usually punishable by fines
Juvenile records receive special protection under Pennsylvania law. Pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 6308, records pertaining to individuals under 18 years of age are generally sealed and not accessible to the public, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses.
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Clearfield County:
Clearfield County Sheriff's Office
230 East Market Street
Clearfield, PA 16830
814-765-2641, Ext. 5120
Clearfield County Sheriff
Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas
230 East Market Street
Clearfield, PA 16830
814-765-2641
Clearfield County Courts
Pennsylvania State Police - Clearfield Station
147 Doe Hill Road
Woodland, PA 16881
814-857-3800
Pennsylvania State Police
Are Criminal Records Public In Clearfield County
Criminal records in Clearfield County are generally considered public information under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104). This statute establishes the presumption that government records are public unless specifically exempted by law, court order, or privilege.
The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law states: "A record in the possession of a Commonwealth agency or local agency shall be presumed to be a public record." This presumption of openness applies to most criminal records maintained by Clearfield County agencies, including the courts, sheriff's office, and district attorney.
However, significant exceptions and limitations exist regarding public access:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records relating to active criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure under 65 P.S. § 67.708(b)(16)
- Juvenile Records: As mandated by 42 Pa.C.S. § 6308, juvenile records are generally sealed and not available to the public
- Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 are removed from public access
- Sealed Records: Records sealed by court order, including those related to summary offenses after five years under the Clean Slate Law
- Witness Information: Personal identifying information of witnesses may be redacted to protect privacy and safety
The Pennsylvania Clean Slate Law, enacted in 2018 and expanded in 2019, automatically seals certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions after 10 years without subsequent offenses. This legislation limits public access to eligible records while maintaining law enforcement access.
Court proceedings in Clearfield County are presumptively open to the public, as established by both the Pennsylvania and United States Constitutions. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access court proceedings and records, with limited exceptions for cases involving minors, certain family matters, or where compelling privacy or security interests exist.
Members of the public seeking criminal record information should be aware that while records may be legally accessible, practical access may require formal requests, payment of fees, or in-person visits to the appropriate county offices.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Clearfield County in 2026
Members of the public may access criminal records in Clearfield County through several established channels. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal record information:
In-Person Requests at the Courthouse:
- Visit the Clearfield County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Office located at:
Clearfield County Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts
230 East Market Street, Suite 104
Clearfield, PA 16830
814-765-2641 ext. 5100
Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts
- Complete a public records request form, available at the clerk's counter
- Provide specific information about the records sought, including the individual's full name and, if possible, date of birth or case number
- Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $10.00 for record search plus $0.25 per page for copies)
- Records may be reviewed immediately or provided within 5 business days, depending on complexity
Mail Requests:
- Submit a written request to the Clearfield County Clerk of Courts at the address above
- Include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and approximate date range of records sought
- Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees
- Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope for return documents
- Allow 7-10 business days for processing
Criminal Background Checks:
For official criminal history information, individuals may request a background check through:
Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110
1-888-783-7972
Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH)
The PATCH system provides statewide criminal history information for a fee of $22 per request. Results are typically available immediately for requests with no record found, or within 2-4 weeks for requests requiring manual review.
For court case information specifically, the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal provides searchable access to court dockets and case information from all Pennsylvania counties, including Clearfield County.
Pursuant to Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act, requesters should be aware that using criminal history information to discriminate in employment, housing, or other contexts may violate state law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Clearfield County Online?
Clearfield County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records digitally. These electronic systems provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though they vary in comprehensiveness and user access requirements.
Clearfield County Civil Case Search:
The Clearfield County Civil Case Search portal provides access to civil court records maintained by the Prothonotary's Office. While primarily focused on civil matters, this system may include criminal cases that have related civil proceedings. Users can search by:
- Case number
- Party name
- Filing date range
- Case type
No registration is required for basic searches, though certain document downloads may require user authentication and payment of fees.
Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal:
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) Portal offers comprehensive access to court records statewide, including Clearfield County criminal cases. This system includes:
- Criminal Court Case Information: Search by name or case number
- Court Calendars: View upcoming court proceedings
- Case Documents: Access certain public filings (may require subscription)
The UJS Portal requires no registration for basic searches, though advanced features require user accounts. The system contains records dating back to approximately 2000, with older records potentially available only in person.
Pennsylvania Inmate Locator:
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator provides information on individuals currently incarcerated in state correctional facilities or under state parole supervision. This database includes:
- Current location
- Minimum and maximum sentence dates
- Offense information
- Parole eligibility
No registration is required to access this public information.
Clearfield County Sheriff's Office:
The Clearfield County Sheriff's Office website provides limited information regarding:
- Active warrants
- Sheriff's sales
- License to carry permit procedures
For comprehensive local law enforcement information, users may need to contact specific law enforcement agencies directly.
Users should note that online systems may not contain complete criminal history information. Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121, official criminal history record information requires submission of proper requests to the Pennsylvania State Police through the PATCH system or FBI background check channels.
Can You Search Clearfield County Criminal Records for Free?
Pennsylvania law establishes the right to inspect public records at no cost, though fees may be assessed for copies or certified documents. In Clearfield County, several options exist for accessing criminal records without payment:
Free In-Person Inspection:
Pursuant to Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.701), members of the public may inspect public records during regular business hours at no charge. The following locations offer free inspection of criminal records:
Clearfield County Courthouse
230 East Market Street
Clearfield, PA 16830
814-765-2641
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Visitors may review:
- Criminal dockets
- Court calendars
- Non-sealed case files
- Public notices
While inspection is free, visitors should note that copying fees apply ($0.25 per page) and certain certification fees may be required for official documents.
Free Online Resources:
Several digital platforms provide free access to criminal record information:
-
Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal - Offers free basic searches of criminal court dockets statewide, including Clearfield County cases
-
Pennsylvania Inmate Locator - Provides free information on current state inmates and their offenses
-
Clearfield County Sheriff's Office - Offers limited information on active warrants and other sheriff functions
These free resources typically provide basic case information but may not include:
- Complete criminal histories
- Document images
- Sealed or expunged records
- Juvenile records
- Detailed disposition information
Fee-Based Services:
For comprehensive criminal background checks, fees are statutorily required:
- Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system: $22 per request
- FBI Criminal Background Check: $18-$50 depending on purpose
- Certified court records: $5-$10 certification fee plus copy costs
Under Pennsylvania law, certain requesters may qualify for fee waivers, including indigent individuals and certain non-profit organizations serving public interest purposes. Fee waiver requests must be submitted in writing to the appropriate records custodian.
What's Included in a Clearfield County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Clearfield County typically contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system. The content of these records is standardized pursuant to Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.) and includes the following categories of information:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
- Photograph/mugshot (if available)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Location of arrest
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail amount and status
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Court docket number
- Court of jurisdiction (Magisterial District Court or Court of Common Pleas)
- Filing date
- Statutory charges (including Pennsylvania Criminal Code citations)
- Classification of offenses (felony, misdemeanor, or summary)
- Preliminary hearing information
- Plea information
- Attorney of record
- Judge assigned
Disposition Information:
- Final verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms (minimum and maximum)
- Probation/parole conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution ordered
- Treatment or program requirements
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges
- Probation/parole status
The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary based on the specific agency maintaining the record and the age of the case. Records maintained by the Clearfield County Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts typically contain the most complete court-related information, while law enforcement agencies maintain separate arrest and investigative records.
Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121, criminal history record information disseminated to non-criminal justice agencies is limited to conviction data and arrest information with dispositions, except where specifically authorized by statute or court order.
How Long Does Clearfield County Keep Criminal Records?
Clearfield County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's Bureau of Archives and History, as mandated by the County Records Act (16 P.S. § 13001-13006). These schedules establish minimum retention periods, though many records are maintained permanently due to their historical and legal significance.
The following retention periods apply to criminal records in Clearfield County:
Court Records:
- Criminal Case Files (felonies): Permanent retention
- Criminal Case Files (misdemeanors): 20 years after case closure
- Criminal Case Files (summary offenses): 7 years after case closure
- Court Dockets and Indices: Permanent retention
- Sentencing Orders: Permanent retention
- Transcripts: Permanent retention for capital cases; 7 years for other cases
- Bail Records: 3 years after final disposition
Law Enforcement Records:
- Arrest Reports: 20 years
- Investigation Files (major crimes): 20 years after case closure
- Investigation Files (minor crimes): 5 years after case closure
- Incident Reports: 5 years
- Fingerprint Cards: 75 years
- Photographs/Mugshots: 75 years
- Booking Records: 7 years
Corrections Records:
- Inmate Files (county jail): 7 years after release
- Visitor Logs: 3 years
- Inmate Medical Records: 7 years after release
These retention periods represent minimum requirements. In practice, many records are maintained for longer periods or permanently, particularly since the advent of digital record-keeping systems. The Clearfield County Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts maintains permanent digital archives of significant criminal cases.
Special provisions apply to certain records:
- Expunged Records: Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, expunged records must be physically destroyed or permanently removed from public access
- Sealed Records: Under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law, eligible sealed records remain in existence but are removed from public view
- Juvenile Records: Generally maintained until the individual reaches age 25, then destroyed unless the case involved serious felonies
Records related to homicides, sexual offenses, and other serious felonies are typically maintained permanently, regardless of the standard retention schedule.
Lookup Criminal Records in Clearfield County
Sheriff | Clearfield County, PA
Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts | Clearfield County, PA