Search Armstrong County DUI Cases
Armstrong County DUI records are kept by the Clerk of Courts at the Armstrong County Courthouse in Kittanning. The county is located in western Pennsylvania and is served by the 33rd Judicial District. The Court of Common Pleas handles felony DUI cases filed throughout Armstrong County. You can search DUI records online through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal or in person at the courthouse. This page covers how DUI records are stored in Armstrong County and the steps you can take to find them.
Armstrong County Quick Facts
Armstrong County DUI Records
Armstrong County DUI records are created when a person is charged with impaired driving within the county. The Clerk of Courts is responsible for maintaining all criminal court records in Armstrong County. This includes the original criminal complaint, bail paperwork, court orders, plea agreements, and sentencing documents. Records are stored at the courthouse in Kittanning and can be accessed in person or through the statewide court portal.
A DUI arrest in Armstrong County triggers a series of court filings. The arresting officer submits a criminal complaint to the Magisterial District Court. If the case moves forward, the Magisterial District judge holds a preliminary arraignment and sets bail. A preliminary hearing follows. Cases that are not resolved at the district court level move to the Court of Common Pleas for the 33rd Judicial District. All docket entries from both courts are available through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal.
Pennsylvania charges DUI cases under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802, which sets three tiers based on blood alcohol content. The tier affects what penalties appear in the Armstrong County case record. A first general impairment offense may result in probation only, while a highest tier first offense brings mandatory jail time under the penalty provisions at 75 Pa.C.S. § 3804.
Note: Prior DUI convictions are counted under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3806, which looks back ten years when calculating the offense level shown in Armstrong County DUI records.
How to Search Armstrong County DUI Records
Start at the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. The portal is free and requires no account. Search by name or case number to find Armstrong County DUI dockets. Results show charges, court dates, judge assignments, and final dispositions. You can view Magisterial District Court and Common Pleas records in the same search.
In-person searches are handled at the Armstrong County Courthouse in Kittanning. The Clerk of Courts office can look up cases and provide copies of docket sheets and other court documents. Staff can assist with searches by name or docket number. A per-page fee applies for paper copies, and certified copies carry an additional charge.
For a statewide criminal history report that includes Armstrong County DUI convictions, use the PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov. PATCH is operated by the Pennsylvania State Police and provides certified criminal history records for a fee. PATCH reports reflect final dispositions and may not include pending cases.
The Armstrong County official government website at armstrongcounty.com connects residents to county courts, the Clerk of Courts, and other offices that maintain DUI records in Armstrong County.
County offices in Kittanning handle DUI records, warrant service, prosecution, and drug and alcohol services for residents across Armstrong County.
Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas
The Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas is the 33rd Judicial District. It hears felony DUI cases and any DUI matters that are moved up from the Magisterial District Court level. Third and subsequent DUI offenses are felonies under Pennsylvania law and must be tried at the Court of Common Pleas. DUI-related vehicular homicide under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3735 is also handled here.
Armstrong County is a smaller county by population, so the Court of Common Pleas handles a manageable number of DUI cases each year. The District Attorney's office at Armstrong County District Attorney reviews each case and decides on charging and ARD eligibility. The Sheriff's office at Armstrong County Sheriff serves warrants on defendants who miss court appearances.
Court information, schedules, and forms are available at Armstrong County Courts. State-level court rules and resources can be found at pacourts.us. The Clerk of Courts office at Armstrong County Clerk of Courts is the official custodian of all DUI case files in the county.
ARD Program in Armstrong County
Armstrong County offers the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3807 to eligible first-time DUI offenders. ARD is a diversionary program that keeps qualifying defendants out of the traditional criminal process. Participants serve a period of supervised probation, complete drug and alcohol treatment, and fulfill any community service requirement set by the court. Completing ARD results in dismissal of the DUI charges.
After successful completion, the defendant may petition under Pa.R.Crim.P. 320 to have the arrest record expunged. Expungement removes the DUI record from court databases. The Armstrong County District Attorney's office determines who qualifies for ARD. Factors include BAC level at arrest, prior criminal history, whether an accident occurred, and whether any victims were involved.
Defendants who do not qualify for ARD or who fail to complete the program face trial on the original DUI charges. Those who plead guilty or are convicted face penalties based on the impairment tier and prior offense count. A DUI record in Armstrong County remains public unless a court orders it expunged.
Drug and Alcohol Services in Armstrong County
Armstrong County coordinates drug and alcohol services for residents dealing with substance use issues, including those facing court-ordered treatment after a DUI arrest. The county provides assessment and referral to licensed treatment providers. Court-ordered DUI education classes and outpatient counseling are part of the options available to Armstrong County residents.
The courts and probation department work with treatment providers to monitor compliance with court-ordered programs. A defendant who fails to attend or complete required treatment can be brought back to court for violation of their probation or ARD conditions. This coordination between the court and treatment providers is an important part of how Armstrong County handles DUI cases.
Residents can reach the PA 2-1-1 helpline for free assistance finding substance abuse resources in Armstrong County and nearby areas. The Pennsylvania State Police and local officers also connect DUI offenders to treatment resources as part of the arrest and diversion process in Armstrong County.
Note: Drug and alcohol assessment for DUI cases in Armstrong County must be completed through an approved provider, not a self-selected program.
Right-to-Know and Armstrong County DUI Records
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 establishes the public's right to access government records, including records held by Armstrong County agencies. Criminal court records, including DUI dockets and case documents, are generally public and accessible through the UJS Portal or the Clerk of Courts without a formal request. Open access to these records supports transparency in the criminal justice system.
For records beyond court dockets, such as police incident reports or internal county documents, a written RTK request may be needed. Armstrong County's Open Records Officer handles these requests and must respond within five business days. Requests that are denied can be appealed to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov.
Sealed records, juvenile cases, and active investigation files are not available to the public. Expunged records are removed from public access after a court order is carried out. Most finalized DUI cases in Armstrong County are open records.
Cities in Armstrong County
Armstrong County DUI cases are filed in the county where the arrest takes place. The 33rd Judicial District Court of Common Pleas in Kittanning handles all felony DUI matters for the county. Kittanning is the county seat and home to the courthouse where records are maintained. Magisterial District Courts located throughout Armstrong County handle initial DUI proceedings before cases move to the Common Pleas level if needed.
Nearby Counties
Armstrong County borders several western Pennsylvania counties. Always verify which county handled a DUI case before searching, as records are filed based on where the arrest occurred.