Criminal records of Mercer County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. MercerCourt.us allows searching for publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state court system, the Mercer County Clerk of Courts office, law enforcement agencies, and the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history check system.
How to Search Criminal Records in Mercer
To search for criminal records in Mercer County, you will need at least one of the following pieces of information:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth
- Case number (docket number)
Online Search
- MercerCourt.us — start here for a quick search of public information about county criminal cases.
- UJS Portal (Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania) — the state court system portal where you can search Mercer County Court of Common Pleas cases by participant name or case number. Select "Mercer County Court of Common Pleas" from the list of courts.
- PATCH (Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History) — Pennsylvania State Police system for obtaining an official criminal history check. Results are usually instant with an online request.
- Mercer County Jail Report — search current inmates by last name.
In-Person Visit
The Clerk of Courts maintains the originals of all criminal cases for the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas. Visit the office to view documents or order copies.
Mail Request
To obtain an official criminal history record through the state police, you can submit a request by mail. Complete form SP 4-164, include payment, and send it to the Pennsylvania State Police, Central Repository. You can also request county public records through the Mercer County Open Records Office in accordance with the Right-to-Know Law (Act 3 of 2008).
Search Mercer Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in Pennsylvania has a unique number (docket number). The format looks like this:
CP-43-CR-0001234-2024
- CP — Court of Common Pleas
- 43 — Mercer County code in the Pennsylvania court system
- CR — case type (CR = Criminal)
- 0001234 — sequential case number
- 2024 — year of filing
Magisterial court cases have a different prefix — "MJ" instead of "CP," and include the specific judge's number. If you know the full case number, enter it on the UJS portal in the "Docket Number" tab for accurate results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Mercer
Each case on the UJS portal or in the Clerk of Courts records contains several key elements. Here's what they mean.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (e.g., 18 Pa.C.S. § 3502 — Burglary) |
| Severity Degree | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Summary Offense |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or drop some charges during proceedings |
Case Status
- Active / Pending — the case is still under consideration
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all obligations fulfilled, case closed
Hearings
- Arraignment — first presentation of charges; the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed
- Pre-Trial Conference — discussion between parties before trial
- Trial — substantive court hearing
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a substantive decision |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor dropped the charges |
| ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) | Program for first-time offenders; charges are dropped upon completion |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Mercer
Certified copies of criminal records are needed for official purposes — employment, licensing, immigration. There are two main ways.
Through Mercer County Clerk of Courts
This office keeps all original documents of criminal cases for the Court of Common Pleas. Requests can be made in person or by mail.
What is needed for the request:
- Full name of the person for whom records are requested
- Case number (if known)
- Valid photo ID
- Payment of established fees
Through Pennsylvania State Police (PATCH)
To obtain an official state-level criminal history record, use the PATCH system online or send the completed form SP 4-164 by mail. You need to provide the full name, date of birth, and social security number of the person.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Mercer
Below are the main fees associated with obtaining criminal records.
| Service | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal history check via PATCH (online) | $22.00 | Usually instant; some requests may take up to 30 days |
| Criminal history check via PATCH (mail) | $22.00 | Up to 30 days |
| Copy of court document (Clerk of Courts) | Depends on the number of pages — check with the office | Usually on the day of request |
| Document certification (Clerk of Courts) | Additional certification fee — check with the office | 1–3 business days |
The PATCH fee is set according to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121. Exact amounts for copying and certifying documents at the Clerk of Courts may vary — call 724-662-3800 before visiting to confirm current rates. Payment is usually accepted in cash, money order, or check; check in advance for card payment availability.