Westmoreland Public Records /Westmoreland County Court Records

Westmoreland County Court Records

What Is Westmoreland County Court Records

Court records in Westmoreland County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records constitute a comprehensive archive of judicial activities as defined under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. Court records typically include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records.

Pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 4301, court records are distinct from other public records such as:

Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
Tax records
Voter registration information

In Westmoreland County, court records are maintained by several courts within the judicial system:

Court of Common Pleas
Magisterial District Courts
Orphans' Court
Juvenile Court

These courts handle various matters including civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family law cases, probate matters, and traffic violations. The Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas serves as the primary repository for most court records within the county.

Are Court Records Public In Westmoreland County

Court records in Westmoreland County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with Pennsylvania's constitutional principle of open courts and the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Under 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq., most court records are presumed to be public unless specifically exempted by statute, court rule, or order.

The following court records are typically available for public inspection:

Most civil case files
Criminal case files (post-charging)
Judgments and orders
Docket sheets
Hearing schedules
Court calendars

However, certain records may be restricted or sealed pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509, which governs access to court records. These restrictions typically apply to:

Juvenile records (except in limited circumstances)
Mental health proceedings
Adoption records
Records sealed by court order
Certain family court matters
Grand jury proceedings
Records containing sensitive personal information

It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania follow federal access rules, which differ from state court access provisions.

How To Find Court Records in Westmoreland County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Westmoreland County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents:

Online Access: The Westmoreland County Case Lookup system provides electronic access to many court records. Users can search by case number, party name, or filing date.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate court office to request records:

Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts
2 North Main Street, Suite 203
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3734
Clerk of Courts

Westmoreland County Prothonotary
2 North Main Street, 1st Floor
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3502
Prothonotary's Office

Written Requests: Submit a written request to the appropriate court office specifying the records sought. Include case numbers, party names, and filing dates when available.
Unified Judicial System Portal: The Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal provides access to docket information for cases throughout Pennsylvania, including Westmoreland County.
Attorney of Record: If represented by counsel, individuals may request copies of court records through their attorney.

When requesting records, be prepared to provide identification and pay applicable fees for copies or certified documents as established by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

How To Look Up Court Records in Westmoreland County Online?

Westmoreland County offers several online resources for accessing court records electronically:

Westmoreland County Public Record Search Portal: The county maintains a comprehensive public records search system that allows users to access:
- Civil court records
- Criminal court records
- Coroner dockets
- Deeds
- Estate records
- Marriage licenses
Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal: This statewide system provides access to:
- Criminal dockets
- Civil dockets
- Family court dockets (with restrictions)
- Court calendars
To use this system:
- Visit the UJS Portal
- Select "Public Web Docket Sheets"
- Choose the appropriate court type
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, etc.)
- Review search results
Westmoreland County e-Filing System: For attorneys and registered users, the county e-filing system provides access to:
- Recently filed documents
- Case status information
- Hearing schedules
Criminal History Records: The Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system allows users to search for criminal history information maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police.

When using these online systems, users should note that:

Some records may require registration or payment of fees
Certain sensitive or sealed records will not appear in public searches
Historical records may not be fully digitized
Document images may not be available for all cases

How To Search Westmoreland County Court Records for Free?

Pennsylvania law guarantees the right to inspect public court records without charge, as established in 65 P.S. § 67.701. While fees may apply for copies or certified documents, the following free options are available for searching Westmoreland County court records:

In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may visit the appropriate court office during regular business hours to view records at no cost:

Westmoreland County Courthouse
2 North Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3000
Westmoreland County Courts

Free Online Resources:
- The Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal provides free access to basic docket information
- Westmoreland County Case Lookup offers free searches of case information
- The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records provides guidance on accessing public records without charge
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the courthouse for public use to search court records at no cost.
Law Libraries: The Westmoreland County Law Library provides free access to court records and legal research materials:

Westmoreland County Law Library
2 North Main Street, 3rd Floor
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3835

When utilizing free search options, be aware that:

Staff assistance may be limited
Waiting periods may apply during busy times
While inspection is free, copying fees still apply
Some specialized searches may require fees

What's Included in a Westmoreland County Court Record?

Westmoreland County court records typically contain various documents and information depending on the case type. The contents generally include:

For Civil Cases:

Complaint or petition
Summons and service documentation
Answers and counterclaims
Motions and responses
Discovery documents (if filed with the court)
Exhibits admitted into evidence
Transcripts of proceedings
Orders and judgments
Settlement agreements (if not sealed)
Appeals documentation

For Criminal Cases:

Criminal complaint
Affidavit of probable cause
Charging documents
Bail information
Pretrial motions and orders
Plea agreements
Trial transcripts
Verdict forms
Sentencing orders
Post-conviction relief petitions
Probation/parole documents

For Family Court Cases:

Divorce petitions
Child custody agreements
Support orders
Protection from abuse orders
Adoption records (typically sealed)
Guardianship documents
Financial statements (may be restricted)

For Probate/Orphans' Court:

Wills
Estate inventories
Letters testamentary or administration
Inheritance tax returns
Accountings
Distribution schedules
Guardian reports

Each court record also contains a docket sheet, which serves as an index of all filings and proceedings in the case. Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 513, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public court records, including:

Social Security numbers
Financial account numbers
Minor children's names (in certain cases)
Dates of birth
Home addresses (in certain cases)

How Long Does Westmoreland County Keep Court Records?

Westmoreland County retains court records according to schedules established by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the County Records Committee. Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.51, the following retention periods generally apply:

For Civil Cases:

Case files: 7 years after final disposition
Judgments: 20 years (may be renewed)
Major civil litigation: Permanent
Divorce decrees: Permanent
Property disputes: Permanent

For Criminal Cases:

Felony cases: 75 years after final disposition
Misdemeanor cases: 25 years after final disposition
Summary offenses: 7 years after final disposition
Homicide cases: Permanent
Sexual offense cases: 75 years

For Family Court:

Custody orders: Until youngest child reaches age 25
Support orders: 20 years after case closure
Protection orders: 10 years
Adoption records: Permanent (sealed)

For Probate/Orphans' Court:

Wills: Permanent
Estate administration: Permanent
Guardianship: 25 years after termination

Certain historically significant cases may be preserved permanently regardless of case type. After the retention period expires, records may be:

Transferred to the Pennsylvania State Archives
Microfilmed or digitized for permanent storage
Destroyed according to approved procedures

Individuals seeking older records should contact the appropriate court office to determine availability and location of archived materials.

Types of Courts In Westmoreland County

Westmoreland County's judicial system consists of several courts with distinct jurisdictions and responsibilities:

Court of Common Pleas
2 North Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3000
Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

The Court of Common Pleas is Westmoreland County's court of general jurisdiction, divided into several divisions:

Civil Division
Criminal Division
Family Division
Orphans' Court Division

Magisterial District Courts
Westmoreland County has 17 Magisterial District Courts located throughout the county. These courts handle:

Summary offenses
Preliminary hearings
Small claims (up to $12,000)
Landlord-tenant disputes
Traffic violations

For specific Magisterial District Court locations, contact:

Westmoreland County Court Administrator
2 North Main Street, Suite 203
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3830
Court Administration

Orphans' Court
2 North Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3000
Orphans' Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Juvenile Court
2 North Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3000
Juvenile Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

The Pennsylvania court hierarchy proceeds from Magisterial District Courts to the Court of Common Pleas, then to the Pennsylvania Superior Court or Commonwealth Court (depending on case type), and finally to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Federal cases arising in Westmoreland County are heard in the:

United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Joseph F. Weis, Jr. U.S. Courthouse
700 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-208-7500
Western District of Pennsylvania
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

What Types of Cases Do Westmoreland County Courts Hear?

Westmoreland County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters according to their respective jurisdictions:

Court of Common Pleas - Civil Division:

Major civil litigation (claims exceeding $12,000)
Contract disputes
Personal injury cases
Property disputes
Medical malpractice claims
Product liability cases
Appeals from Magisterial District Courts

Court of Common Pleas - Criminal Division:

Felony criminal cases
Serious misdemeanors
Criminal appeals from Magisterial District Courts
Post-conviction relief petitions
Probation/parole violations

Court of Common Pleas - Family Division:

Divorce proceedings
Child custody disputes
Child and spousal support matters
Protection from abuse cases
Paternity determinations
Name changes

Orphans' Court Division:

Probate of wills
Estate administration
Guardianships for incapacitated persons
Adoptions
Trust administration
Marriage license applications

Juvenile Court:

Delinquency proceedings
Dependency cases
Children and youth services matters
Juvenile probation supervision

Magisterial District Courts:

Preliminary arraignments and hearings in criminal cases
Summary offense trials
Traffic violations
Small claims (up to $12,000)
Landlord-tenant disputes
Civil claims up to $12,000
Search warrants and arrest warrants

Cases involving federal law, including federal crimes, constitutional questions, diversity jurisdiction cases, and bankruptcy matters, are heard in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania rather than in Westmoreland County courts.

How To Find a Court Docket In Westmoreland County

Court dockets in Westmoreland County provide chronological listings of all filings, proceedings, and actions in a case. Members of the public may access docket information through several methods:

Online Docket Search:
- The Westmoreland County Case Lookup system provides access to docket information for county cases
- The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal offers comprehensive docket searches for cases throughout Pennsylvania
- For criminal cases, the PATCH system provides access to criminal docket information
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the appropriate court office based on case type:
For Criminal Cases: Clerk of Courts Office
2 North Main Street, Suite 203
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3734
Clerk of Courts

For Civil Cases: Prothonotary's Office
2 North Main Street, 1st Floor
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3502
Prothonotary's Office

For Orphans' Court Matters: Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans' Court
2 North Main Street, 1st Floor
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-830-3177
Register of Wills
Written Requests:
- Submit a written request to the appropriate office
- Include case number, party names, and filing dates if known
- Specify whether you need certified copies
Mobile Access:
- The PAeDocket mobile application provides access to court dockets throughout Pennsylvania
- Available for both iOS and Android devices

When searching for dockets, users should be prepared to provide:

Case number (if known)
Names of parties involved
Approximate date of filing
Case type

Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509, docket information is generally available to the public, though certain sensitive cases may have restricted access.

Which Courts in Westmoreland County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Pennsylvania, a "court of record" is defined by 42 Pa.C.S. § 321 as a court that maintains a verbatim record of proceedings, has the authority to punish for contempt, and issues judgments that can serve as the basis for appeals to higher courts.

In Westmoreland County, the following courts are not courts of record:

Magisterial District Courts:

These courts handle minor civil disputes, preliminary criminal proceedings, and summary offenses
While they maintain dockets and case files, they do not typically create verbatim transcripts of all proceedings
Decisions from these courts are subject to de novo review (completely new trial) if appealed to the Court of Common Pleas
There are 17 Magisterial District Courts throughout Westmoreland County

The significance of a court not being a court of record includes:

Appeals from these courts result in entirely new proceedings rather than reviews of existing records
Formal rules of evidence may be applied less stringently
Proceedings are generally less formal than in courts of record
Verbatim transcripts are not automatically created for all proceedings

All other courts in Westmoreland County, including the Court of Common Pleas and its various divisions (Civil, Criminal, Family, and Orphans' Court), are courts of record. These courts maintain official transcripts of proceedings, follow formal rules of evidence and procedure, and issue judgments that can be appealed to higher courts based on the record created at trial.

Lookup Court Records in Westmoreland County

Public Record Searches in Westmoreland County

Case Lookup System

Comprehensive Public Record Search Portal

Westmoreland County e-filing System

Clerk of Courts Information

Pennsylvania Criminal History Records

Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal

Pennsylvania Office of Open Records

Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History

United States District Court - Eastern District of Pennsylvania

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