Criminal records of Northampton County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. NorthamptonCourt.us allows searching for publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through official state court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office. Online portals, in-person visits to the courthouse, and written requests are all viable methods of accessing criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Northampton
To search for criminal records, you will need at least one of the following:
- The full name of the individual
- Date of birth
- Case number (docket number)
Here are the main methods of searching:
Online via NorthamptonCourt.us
Start with NorthamptonCourt.us — the site allows you to find public information about county criminal cases, including case statuses and charge details.
Pennsylvania Court System Portal
The state's unified judicial system provides free access to docket sheets through the UJS public records portal. You can search by name or case number across all courts of general jurisdiction, including the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas.
Criminal History Check via State Police
The Pennsylvania State Police operates the PATCH (Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History) system. This tool checks state law enforcement records — not federal. For a formal background check, you can also submit a request by mail or online through the PSP website.
In-Person Visit
The court's criminal division is located in the county courthouse. A clerk can assist with case searches through public access terminals.
Mail Request
Written requests for criminal records can be sent to the Northampton County Criminal Division at the address listed above. Include the individual's full name, date of birth, and case number (if known). Add payment for copies if certified documents are needed.
Search Northampton Criminal Cases by Case Number
In Pennsylvania, each criminal case is assigned a unique docket number. It consists of several parts:
- Court Prefix — indicates the court level (CP for Court of Common Pleas, MJ for Magisterial District Judge)
- County Code — a two-digit numeric code; for Northampton County, it is 48
- Case Type — CR denotes a criminal case
- Number and Year — sequential number and year of case filing
For example, the format may look like this: CP-48-CR-0001234-2024. Searching by case number is the most precise way to find a specific case through the UJS portal or directly at the court clerk's office. If the number is unknown, try searching by the defendant's name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Northampton
A criminal case docket sheet contains several key categories of information. Below is an explanation of each.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the Pennsylvania Criminal Code (e.g., 18 Pa.C.S. § 3921 — theft) |
| Severity Degree | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Summary Offense |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend or drop individual charges during proceedings |
Case Status
- Active / Pending — the case is ongoing, and a decision has not yet been made
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedures are complete, including sentence execution
Hearings
Typical stages of a criminal case in the county:
- Arraignment — the defendant's first court appearance, charges are announced
- Preliminary Hearing — a judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-Trial Conference — a meeting of the parties to discuss a possible plea agreement or trial preparation
- Trial — the substantive court hearing
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty verdict
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with sentence conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquittal — guilt was not proven |
| Dismissed | The case was closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to pursue further prosecution |
| ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) | A program for first-time offenders; charges may be dropped upon completion |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Northampton
Certified copies of criminal records are issued by the Criminal Division of the Court of Common Pleas. These are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by other institutions.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the Criminal Division office in the courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID.
- By Mail — send a written request with the full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and a copy of your ID. Include a check or money order for the fee.
For an official state-level criminal history report, use the PATCH system from the Pennsylvania State Police. This request covers records from all state law enforcement agencies.
If you need information about inmates in state correctional facilities, use the Inmate Locator from the Department of Corrections. For individuals held in the Northampton County Jail, contact the county's Department of Corrections directly.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Northampton
Fees for criminal records depend on the type of request and method of obtaining them.
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PATCH Check (online) | $22.00 | Payable by credit card; results are usually available within minutes |
| PATCH Check (by mail) | $22.00 | Check or money order payable to Pennsylvania State Police; processing may take several weeks |
| Copy of docket sheet (online via UJS) | Free | View and print via the court system web portal |
| Certified copy of court document | Depends on the number of pages | Contact the Criminal Division for current rates |
Certification and copy fees at the court clerk's office are regulated under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1725.1 and local court rules. Specific amounts may vary — call the office at 610-829-6500 before visiting to confirm current fees.
Processing times for requests depend on the method. Online requests via PATCH typically provide instant results. Mail requests to the Criminal Division or PSP may take two to four weeks. In-person requests at the court clerk's office are generally processed the same day if you visit during business hours.