Fayette County
Named after a French aristocrat who was one of George Washington's Lieutenant, Marquis de LaFayette, Fayette County was formed in 1783. It is located in the southwestern part of Pennsylvania and borders the states of Maryland and West Virginia. As of the 2020 US census, it has a population of 128,804. Its land area is 798 square miles, and its water bodies covers 8 square miles. Uniontown is the county seat and largest city in Fayette County.
The Magisterial District Court and the Court of Common Pleas are the two main courts in Fayette County that handle the legal needs of the county's residents. The Fayette County Court of Common Pleas hears important criminal and civil cases. It also hears probate cases involving estates and guardianships and family law cases, including divorce and child custody. All guardianship, adoption, and probate cases are handled by its Orphan's Court.
Minor civil and criminal cases, including traffic infractions, landlord-tenant disputes, and small claims, are heard at the Fayette County Magisterial District Court. Additionally, preliminary hearings for felony cases can be handled by this court. There are seven branches of the Fayette County Magisterial District Court each with a Magisterial District Judge located in different municipalities in the county.
Fayette County public court records are records from cases such as criminal, divorce, probate, civil, and traffic cases. These records include case filings, writs, warrants, court transcripts, motions, and judgments. These records are available for public viewing and request in Fayette County unless made confidential by court orders. Records of civil cases and divorce rulings are available from the Prothonotary's Office. The Fayette County Register of Wills and the Clerk of Orphans' Court Office maintain probate records, and the Fayette County Clerk of Court's Office keeps criminal records.
The range of court records available to the public in Fayette County includes the following:
- Civil Records
- Criminal Case Records
- Family Records
- Probate Records
- Traffic Violation Records
Public court records are available to the public at the courts that hear the cases. Additionally, non-confidential court records from Fayette County are available online through the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal.
