Criminal records in Berks County, Pennsylvania, can be accessed through several online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the Clerk of Courts office. BerksCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal, the Berks County Clerk of Courts, the Berks County Sheriff's Office, and the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history repository.
How to Search Criminal Records in Berks County
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Berks County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need official or certified documents.
Online Search Options
- BerksCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information by name or case number.
- Pennsylvania UJS Portal — The statewide Unified Judicial System portal lets you search Berks County Court of Common Pleas criminal dockets by participant name, case number, or date of birth. Results include docket sheets with charges, hearing dates, and dispositions.
- PATCH (Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History) — Operated by the Pennsylvania State Police, PATCH provides official criminal history record checks. Standard requests can be submitted online; notarized copies must be submitted by mail.
- PA Inmate/Supervised Individual Locator — Search for individuals currently in the custody of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, including those at the Berks County Jail. This tool is updated daily.
- Megan's Law Website — Pennsylvania's sex offender registry, maintained by the State Police, allows public searches for registered sexual offenders in Berks County.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results on the UJS Portal)
- Case number or docket number (if available)
- For PATCH requests: the individual's full name and date of birth are required; Social Security number is optional but recommended
In Person
Visit the Berks County Clerk of Courts at the Berks County Courthouse. Public access terminals may be available for searching criminal dockets. Staff can assist with locating specific case records.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request for criminal court records to the Clerk of Courts at the address above. Include your name, mailing address, phone number or email, and a detailed description of the records you are seeking. For formal open records requests involving criminal court records, contact the Court Open Records Officer. For statewide criminal history checks, submit a request through PATCH online or by mail to the Pennsylvania State Police.
Search Berks County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Pennsylvania uses a standardized case number format across its Court of Common Pleas system. If you have a docket number, you can pull up a case directly on the UJS Portal without needing the defendant's name.
The typical format for a Berks County criminal case number looks like this:
- CP-06-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY
- CP — Court of Common Pleas
- 06 — Berks County's two-digit county code
- CR — Criminal case type (other prefixes include SA for summary appeals and MD for Magisterial District cases)
- XXXXXXX — Sequential case number
- YYYY — Year the case was filed
Magisterial District Court cases use a slightly different format beginning with "MJ" followed by the district judge number and a sequential identifier. If a case was transferred from a Magisterial District Court to the Court of Common Pleas after a preliminary hearing, it will receive a new CP docket number.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Berks County
Criminal docket sheets available through the Berks County court system contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
- Statute codes — Each charge references a section of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (Title 18) or other applicable statute (e.g., Title 75 for vehicle code offenses).
- Severity — Charges are classified as summary offenses, misdemeanors (M1, M2, M3), or felonies (F1, F2, F3). Felony 1 is the most serious; summary offenses are the least.
- Amended charges — Prosecutors may amend charges during the case. The docket will show both original and amended charges.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Active | Case is currently proceeding through the court system |
| Pending | Case has been filed but not yet resolved |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.) |
| Closed | All proceedings and obligations related to the case are complete |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Formal reading of charges; defendant enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing — Held before a Magisterial District Judge to determine if enough evidence exists to send the case to the Court of Common Pleas
- Pre-trial conference — Meeting between prosecution and defense to discuss plea negotiations or trial preparation
- Trial — Bench trial or jury trial where the case is decided on its merits
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Post-sentencing check on compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
| Disposition | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not Guilty | Defendant acquitted at trial |
| Nolle Prosequi | Prosecution chose not to pursue the charge |
| Dismissed | Court dismissed the charge |
| ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) | First-time offender diverted to a supervised program; charges dismissed upon completion |
| Withdrawn | Charge withdrawn by the prosecution before disposition |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Berks County
Certified copies of criminal court records in Berks County are handled by the Clerk of Courts. These are official copies bearing the court seal, suitable for legal proceedings, employment verification, or other formal purposes.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Clerk of Courts office at the Berks County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request to the Clerk of Courts with your name, mailing address, contact information, and a clear description of the records needed. Include payment for applicable fees.
- Online (statewide criminal history) — For an official criminal background check, use the PATCH system through the Pennsylvania State Police. Notarized copies of PATCH results must be requested by mail.
Identification Required
- Government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- For PATCH requests: the subject's full name and date of birth
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Berks County
Fees for criminal record copies and background checks vary depending on the type of request and the issuing agency. The table below lists commonly applicable fees based on Pennsylvania statute and agency schedules.
| Service | Fee | Source/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PATCH criminal background check (online, non-volunteer) | $22.00 | Pennsylvania State Police; paid online via credit card |
| PATCH volunteer record check | Free | For qualifying volunteers under PA Act 34 |
| Certified copy of court document (Clerk of Courts) | Varies; contact office | Fees set per Berks County fee schedule |
| Uncertified copy per page | Varies; contact office | Standard per-page photocopy rate |
Processing Times
- PATCH online requests — Results with no record are typically returned within minutes. Requests that require manual review may take up to several weeks.
- Clerk of Courts (in person) — Copies can often be provided the same day, depending on the complexity of the request.
- Clerk of Courts (by mail) — Allow additional time for mailing and processing; typical turnaround is one to two weeks.
For the most current fee amounts at the Clerk of Courts, call (610) 478-6550 or visit the office directly. PATCH fees are set by the Pennsylvania State Police and are subject to change.