Allegheny County DUI Records
Allegheny County DUI records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the Allegheny County Courthouse in Pittsburgh. Allegheny County is the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, with about 1.2 million residents. The Court of Common Pleas for the 5th Judicial District handles all felony DUI cases filed in the county. You can search DUI records through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal online or visit the courthouse in Pittsburgh. This page explains how DUI records are kept in Allegheny County and how to find them.
Allegheny County Quick Facts
Allegheny County DUI Records
Allegheny County DUI records are official documents created when a person is charged with impaired driving within the county. The Clerk of Courts is the official custodian of all criminal court records, including DUI filings, court orders, plea agreements, and sentencing documents. The volume of DUI cases in Allegheny County is significant given the county's large population and the number of police agencies operating here. Pittsburgh Police, Pennsylvania State Police, and dozens of municipal departments all file DUI charges that end up in the Allegheny County court system.
Each DUI case starts with a criminal complaint filed at a Magisterial District Court. The complaint, along with any bail conditions and preliminary hearing results, becomes part of the public court record. Cases that advance past the preliminary hearing move to the Court of Common Pleas, where the Clerk of Courts maintains the full file. Both levels of docket information are available through ujsportal.pacourts.us at no charge.
Pennsylvania's DUI law at 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 creates three impairment tiers. The general tier covers blood alcohol content from 0.08% to 0.099%. High impairment runs from 0.10% to 0.159%. The highest tier is 0.16% and above. Allegheny County DUI records show which tier applied to each case along with the charges and outcome.
How to Search Allegheny County DUI Records
The UJS Portal is the primary tool for searching Allegheny County DUI records online. Enter a name, date of birth, or case number to pull up docket sheets. Results include arrest dates, charges filed, court events, and final dispositions. The portal is free and available at any time from any device with internet access.
In-person access is available at the Allegheny County Courthouse in downtown Pittsburgh. The Clerk of Courts office at Allegheny County Clerk of Courts can search records by name or docket number and provide paper copies for a per-page fee. Public access terminals may also be available in the courthouse for self-service lookups. Bring a valid ID when visiting. Staff can help locate older case files that may not appear in the online system.
The PATCH criminal history system at epatch.pa.gov provides statewide criminal history reports including Allegheny County DUI convictions. A fee applies for each PATCH request. Reports show final dispositions and may be useful when the UJS Portal does not show the full outcome of a case.
Note: The UJS Portal shows case docket information but does not provide access to physical documents like police reports or chemical test results, which require a separate request to the Clerk of Courts.
The Allegheny County official website at alleghenycounty.us provides access to court offices, the Clerk of Courts, and public records resources for residents searching DUI records throughout the county.
County government resources connect residents to the courts, Sheriff, District Attorney, and drug and alcohol services that all play a role in Allegheny County DUI cases.
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
The Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas is the 5th Judicial District. It is one of the busiest courts in Pennsylvania given the size of the county. The court handles all felony DUI cases, which under Pennsylvania law include third or subsequent DUI offenses. Vehicular homicide cases involving impaired driving under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3735 are also tried here. Misdemeanor DUI cases may be handled at the Magisterial District Court level if the defendant does not request a higher court.
The Allegheny County District Attorney's office at Allegheny County District Attorney prosecutes DUI cases at both levels. The DA's office works closely with Pittsburgh Police at Pittsburgh Police Department and Pennsylvania State Police on investigations and charging decisions. The Allegheny County Sheriff at Allegheny County Sheriff serves warrants on defendants who fail to appear and provides court security.
Full information about Allegheny County courts is available at Allegheny County Courts. Court schedules, forms, and contact details for each judge and division are listed there. The Pennsylvania Courts portal at pacourts.us also covers rules and resources for the 5th Judicial District.
ARD Program in Allegheny County
Allegheny County offers the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for eligible first-time DUI offenders. ARD is authorized by 75 Pa.C.S. § 3807. Participants complete a period of supervised probation, pay required fees, and finish any court-ordered drug and alcohol treatment. When a person successfully completes ARD, the court dismisses the DUI charges. The individual may then petition to have the arrest record expunged under Pa.R.Crim.P. 320.
The Allegheny County District Attorney's office reviews each ARD application. The DA considers the defendant's BAC level, prior criminal record, whether a crash occurred, and any victim input. High BAC cases and cases involving injuries are less likely to result in ARD approval. Cases with a minor in the vehicle at the time of the DUI are typically not eligible under Pennsylvania law.
Allegheny County processes a high volume of ARD cases each year due to the county's population. Defendants who are accepted into ARD must comply with all program conditions for the full term. Failure to complete the program results in reinstatement of the original charges.
Drug and Alcohol Services in Allegheny County
Allegheny County operates extensive drug and alcohol services through the Department of Human Services at Allegheny County Drug and Alcohol. The county funds assessment, treatment referral, and case management for individuals with substance use issues, including DUI offenders. Court-ordered treatment programs are coordinated with the court system to ensure compliance with judicial requirements.
DUI offenders in Allegheny County often face mandatory assessment as part of sentencing or ARD conditions. The county's Single County Authority manages funding for outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient programs, and residential care. Providers throughout Pittsburgh and the surrounding area accept referrals from the courts and probation department. Compliance with treatment is monitored and reported back to the court.
Residents can also connect to services through PA 2-1-1, a free statewide resource line that links callers to providers in their area. Prevention programs targeting impaired driving are active in Allegheny County through partnerships with local schools, employers, and community groups.
Note: Court-ordered drug and alcohol assessment is separate from any criminal fine or license suspension and must be completed through an approved provider in Allegheny County.
Right-to-Know and Allegheny County DUI Records
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 gives any person the right to request public records from government agencies. Criminal court records, including DUI dockets and case filings, are generally public records in Pennsylvania. You do not need to submit a formal RTK request to view DUI records. The UJS Portal and the Clerk of Courts provide direct access to most DUI case information in Allegheny County.
For records held by other county agencies, such as police incident reports or administrative documents, a formal Right-to-Know request may be required. Allegheny County has an Open Records Officer who processes these requests within five business days, with possible extensions. The appeals process leads to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov.
Some records remain confidential. Juvenile DUI records, active investigation files, and certain personal identifying data are not released. Most concluded DUI cases are open to the public in Allegheny County.
Cities in Allegheny County
Allegheny County includes Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's second largest city. DUI cases from Pittsburgh and all municipalities across Allegheny County are handled by the 5th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas. The courthouse is located in downtown Pittsburgh, which is the county seat and the center of court operations for the entire county.
Nearby Counties
Allegheny County is surrounded by several western Pennsylvania counties. DUI offenses are charged in the county where the stop or arrest occurred, so verify the correct jurisdiction before searching records.