Armstrong County
Armstrong County was established in 1800 and was named after General John Armstrong, a hero of the French and Indian War. It is located within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area. The county covers approximately 653.3 square miles with a population of around 65,538 residents. Its county seat is Kittanning.
Armstrong County's trial court system includes the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas handles major criminal cases, including felonies and lesser-included offenses, civil claims without a financial limit, domestic relations matters, and appeals from administrative agencies' decisions. It also has an Orphans' Court Division responsible for issues such as estates, trusts, guardianships, and adoptions. Magisterial District Courts oversee preliminary hearings for felonies, DUI cases, certain third-degree misdemeanor offenses, landlord-tenant disputes, general civil claims, and ordinance violations.
Armstrong County court records document the county's legal proceedings and include case details such as judge information, charges, bail, sentencing, calendar events, defendant details, attorney information, and docket entries. Defined by the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System, these records exclude drafts, notes, and internal correspondence. Common Armstrong County public court records include the following:
- Criminal Records
- Civil Records
- Probate Records
- Juvenile Records
- Domestic Relations Records
Most court records are publicly accessible and provide case-related information per Pennsylvania Right To Know Law. The Armstrong County Clerk of Courts manages records meant for the Court of Common Pleas and magisterial district courts. Civil court records can be obtained in person at the Prothonotary's office, while criminal records can be had at the Clerk of Courts. Certified copies cost $3 to purchase the initial page as well as $1 for each additional page. Copies can also be requested by mailing a finalized Request for Access Form directed at the office of the Court of Common Pleas, with fees capped at $0.25 for every page.
Alternatively, the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal provides access to case information online. Users are allowed to view online court records using search criteria such as docket number, party name, and citation number.
