Find DUI Records in Butler County PA
Butler County DUI records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts in Butler, Pennsylvania, and can be accessed through the state's public court portal. Situated in western Pennsylvania, Butler County handles impaired driving cases through Magisterial District Courts and the Court of Common Pleas. Anyone looking to search Butler County DUI cases can use the free UJS Portal online or visit the courthouse directly. This page covers where DUI records are stored in Butler County, how to find them, and what government offices are involved in each DUI case from arrest to final disposition.
Butler County Quick Facts
Butler County DUI Records
The Butler County Clerk of Courts is the official keeper of all criminal court records, including DUI filings. Every DUI case that reaches the Court of Common Pleas level creates a file that the Clerk stores and maintains. These files contain charging documents, hearing notes, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and any documents related to court-ordered treatment. Records are open to the public during business hours at the Butler County Courthouse. Staff can help you search by name or case number.
DUI arrests in Butler County begin with the local police department or the Pennsylvania State Police. The Butler City Police Department conducts DUI patrols and investigations in the city of Butler. Arrests result in a police report that is forwarded to the Butler County District Attorney for prosecution decisions. The DA decides whether to pursue charges and whether a defendant qualifies for the ARD program. Once a case is filed with the Common Pleas Court, the Clerk of Courts creates a permanent case record. The Butler County government website provides contact details for all these offices.
Note: DUI records at the Magisterial District Court level can also be searched through the UJS Portal, which covers both lower courts and Common Pleas courts across Butler County.
How to Search Butler County DUI Records
Start your search at ujsportal.pacourts.us. The UJS Portal is the state's free public court database and includes all Butler County DUI records that are not sealed or expunged. Enter a full name or docket number in the search fields. Results show the charges, court dates, and disposition. This portal works for both the Magisterial District Court stage and the Court of Common Pleas stage of a Butler County DUI case.
If you need physical documents or certified copies, visit the Clerk of Courts office in person. The Butler County Courthouse is in Butler, which is also the county seat. Staff can locate files by name or docket number. Copy fees apply. Certified copies cost more than plain paper copies. Bring photo ID to make the process smooth. For older records, allow extra time for the office to locate the file.
The PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov provides statewide criminal history checks that include Butler County DUI convictions. This is useful for confirming whether a conviction appears in the state database. Chemical test requirements under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3814 create records of blood and breath testing that may appear in case documents. PATCH does not replace a full court record search but serves as a quick confirmation tool.
Butler County Court of Common Pleas
The Butler County Court of Common Pleas is the 37th Judicial District. This court handles DUI felonies, serious misdemeanors, and appeals from Magisterial District Courts across the county. DUI charges in Pennsylvania are classified by BAC level under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802. General impairment is 0.08 to 0.099 percent. High BAC runs from 0.10 to 0.159 percent. Highest BAC is 0.16 percent or above. Each tier carries different penalties under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3804.
Repeat DUI offenders in Butler County face escalating consequences. A second offense brings mandatory minimum jail time at the higher BAC tiers. A third DUI offense in Pennsylvania is a felony. Prior offenses are counted under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3806. The Butler County Court of Common Pleas also handles cases involving serious accidents or fatalities connected to impaired driving, which can result in charges under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3735.
ARD Program in Butler County
Butler County offers the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program to eligible first-time DUI offenders. ARD is authorized under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3807. The Butler County District Attorney reviews each application and makes the final eligibility decision. Common factors include BAC level, whether an accident occurred, prior criminal history, and the overall circumstances of the stop. Most ARD programs require a drug and alcohol evaluation, DUI education classes, and a supervision period of several months.
Completing ARD in Butler County results in the dismissal of the DUI charges. The defendant may then petition the court for expungement of the arrest record. Once expunged, the record does not appear in most standard public searches. ARD is a one-time opportunity in Pennsylvania. A second DUI offense in Butler County disqualifies a person from the program. The Butler County Sheriff's Office assists in tracking defendants who are on ARD supervision but fail to appear for required check-ins, and the Sheriff's Office can serve warrants when needed.
Note: ARD completion and expungement do not guarantee the arrest disappears from all databases, so it is worth confirming what shows on PATCH after expungement is granted.
Drug and Alcohol Services in Butler County
The Butler County Drug and Alcohol Services office is the Single County Authority for substance abuse treatment coordination. This office links DUI defendants who are court-ordered into treatment with the appropriate level of care. Services include assessments, DUI education programs, outpatient counseling, and case management. The SCA coordinates with courts and treatment providers to ensure compliance with court orders. Defendants who fail to follow through on treatment requirements can face consequences in their DUI case.
Court-ordered treatment in Butler County is tailored to the individual based on their evaluation results. Someone at the low end of the BAC scale with no prior history may need only a short DUI education course. A repeat offender or someone with a high BAC may be required to complete a more intensive program. The SCA tracks participation and submits compliance reports to the court. People in Butler County who need treatment help outside of a court order can also contact the SCA office for information on available services and referrals.
Right-to-Know in Butler County
The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 grants access to government records held by public agencies. The Butler County Open Records office handles RTK requests for county records. Police department incident logs, county agency communications, and similar documents can be requested through this process. RTK requests must be in writing. Butler County has five business days to respond, with extensions allowed under certain conditions.
Court records at the Common Pleas level are handled separately from RTK requests. For DUI case dockets and documents, use the UJS Portal or go directly to the Clerk of Courts. If your RTK request to Butler County is denied or goes unanswered, you can appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov. License-related records tied to a DUI, such as suspension status, can be found through the Pennsylvania DMV at dmv.pa.gov.
Cities in Butler County
Butler County includes Butler city as its county seat along with numerous townships and boroughs spread across western Pennsylvania. DUI cases from any municipality in the county are processed through the 37th Judicial District. All records are maintained by the Butler County Clerk of Courts and searchable through the UJS Portal.
Nearby Counties
Butler County borders multiple counties in western Pennsylvania. If a DUI arrest occurred near the county line, the case may have been filed in a neighboring county. Confirm the municipality of the arrest before searching records in a specific county.