Butler County Court Records

Butler County Courts, PA *

Butler County, Pennsylvania, was established in 1800 and carved from a portion of Allegheny County. It was named in honor of General Richard Butler, a hero of the American Revolution. The county was formally organized for judicial purposes in 1803, and the county seat is the City of Butler.

There are various courts established to uphold the rule of law and ensure justice for all Butler County residents without bias. The courts operate within an elaborate system, hearing cases such as civil, family law, criminal, juvenile, and even misdemeanors.

Residents seeking judicial services in the county need to understand how the system works. They should learn about various courts available, matters they hear, how to file cases, and how to search court records.

Overview of the Butler County Court System

Butler County courts operate under the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, which has set three basic levels to the court system. Under the Butler County court system, there are two levels of courts: the Magisterial District Courts and the Courts of Common Pleas. The county falls under Pennsylvania's 50th Judicial District. The President Judge is in charge of the day-to-day administration of the Court of Common Pleas, and there are five divisions for civil, criminal, family, juvenile, and orphans' court matters.

The court system is designed to be accessible and transparent. The courts handle all sorts of cases, ranging from minor traffic offenses taken to the Magisterial District Judges to felony and complex civil disputes heard by the Court of Common Pleas. Most judicial operations take place in the Butler County Courthouse located in the city of Butler. Here, residents will also find the Prothonotary's office that manages civil and family court records, as well as the Clerk of Court's office that maintains criminal and juvenile records for the Court of Common Pleas. The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court, which handles estates, wills, and marriage records, is also at the same location.

Types of Courts in Butler County, Pennsylvania

Courts in Butler County have different jurisdictions. For this reason, residents who want to interact with the court system need to understand the jurisdiction of each court. This is important because filing a case in the wrong court could lead to dismissal.

Courts of Common Pleas

Courts of Common Pleas are trial courts of general jurisdiction and form the backbone of the Butler County judicial system. This means they can hear any type of case not assigned to another court. There are five divisions in the Butler County Court of Common Pleas. They are criminal, civil, family, juvenile, and orphans' court divisions. Each division has a different mandate.

Primary location: Butler County Courthouse

Some of the cases heard at these courts include:

Criminal Division: Felony prosecutions and misdemeanor cases bound over from the Magisterial District Courts
Civil Division: Civil claims over $12,000
Family Division: Divorce, child custody, adoption, and protection from abuse matters
Juvenile Division: Juvenile delinquency, truancy, child welfare, dependency proceedings, and juvenile probation matters
Orphans' Court Division: Probate, wills, trusts, guardianships, and estate administration

Some cases before the criminal and civil divisions of the Courts of Common Pleas are heard by a judge or a jury. Residents not satisfied with the decision of this court can appeal to the appellate courts. The Superior Court of Pennsylvania hears criminal and civil appeals from all Courts of Common Pleas across Pennsylvania, including Butler County. The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court handles appeals involving state agencies and certain regulatory matters. Keep in mind these courts of appeal do not fall under Butler County.

Magisterial District Courts

There are seven Magisterial District Courts serving Butler County. The courts numbered 50-1-01 and 50-3-01 through 50-3-06 are the first courts residents interact with. They are considered minor courts and are presided over by Magisterial District judges.

Primary location: Various townships across Butler County

The cases they hear include:

Traffic violations
Small claims under $12,000
Misdemeanor and felony arraignments and preliminary hearings
Evictions
Setting bail except in murder cases

Cases heard at these courts are subject to de Novo appeal to the Court of Common Pleas. This means the case will be heard afresh at the higher court. Most residents who appear at this court often represent themselves.

How to Access Butler County Court Records

There are so many reasons why Butler residents would want to access court records. Landlords and employers may want them for background checks, buyers may want to check property history, and residents with ongoing cases may want to check the status of the cases. For whatever reason, Pennsylvania law gives members of the public the right to inspect court records. However, there are types of records that are sealed or confidential and cannot be viewed by the public, for example, juvenile cases and certain family matters. Here are various ways to access court records in Butler County.

Online Access

Pennsylvania has made it so easy to search court records for all courts in the State through the UJS web portal. Residents can use the site to access court dockets, calendars, case summaries, minutes, government files, and more across the various courts in Butler County. They can also use CountySuite Courts to access court records for Butler County. Using the two sites is free, but residents may have to pay to get full documents or certified records.

Alternative Online Options

While these sites provided by the government are very useful, residents can also use alternative options like CourtCaseFinder to access court records. The tool can aggregate data from various courts within a very short time. It is especially useful when one wants to check records across various states or has no idea where the case was filed. Landlords and employers can benefit a lot when conducting background checks.

In-Person Requests

While many court records are available online for free, some family and juvenile records may only be available in person at the local court clerk's office. Also, residents who require certified copies or full case files should make an in-person request at the appropriate office. For criminal records, they should contact the Butler County Clerk of Courts and the Butler County Prothonotary for civil records. They will have to pay a fee to get physical prints or official, certified copies.

Archived Records

Older cases, especially those predating electronic case management, may not be available online. These archived records are often kept physically at the courthouse or in off-site storage. Residents and researchers looking for archived records need to submit a written request to the Clerk of Courts for criminal matters or the Prothonotary for civil matters. The request may not be processed immediately, as they may need time to retrieve the records from off-site storage.

For Attorneys and Legal Professionals

Lawyers interacting with Butler County courts are expected to adhere to the strict rules of professional conduct, local court rules, and courtroom decorum. They can use PACFile to file and view cases in appellate courts and superior courts.

Attorneys from outside Pennsylvania should familiarize themselves with the state's Unified Judicial System to understand the jurisdiction of various courts and how processes occur. They should adhere to local requirements regarding deadlines, formatting, processes, and documentation. If a resident decides to represent themselves (pro se), they should know that courts hold pro se litigants to the same standards as licensed lawyers.

How to File a Case in Butler County

It's the goal of every plaintiff to get the most favorable outcome in a court case. One of the first steps toward achieving this is to file the case correctly. This means filing in the right court, stating a dollar amount or a specific request for the court, serving the defendant, and much more. Mistakes at any point in the process can affect the outcome, even having the case dismissed. Here are the steps residents should follow while filing cases in Butler County courts.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

Residents who are interacting with the court system for the first time may be surprised to learn that there are multiple courts at the courthouse, each with its own jurisdiction. The first step to filing a court case correctly is to determine which court has jurisdiction over the matter. For instance, the Court of Common Pleas civil division has jurisdiction over civil matters where the amount in dispute is over $12,000. If the matter in dispute is under $12,000, it should be taken to a Magisterial District Court.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

Next, obtain the appropriate forms for the case because each court requires specific forms. Residents can get standardized forms for many civil, family, and Orphans' Court matters through the Pennsylvania Courts website. Alternatively, they can get the forms from the Butler County Prothonotary's office through their portal or in person.

Step 3: File the Case

Residents should take the completed forms, along with any required attachments or exhibits, to the appropriate filing office. This is also the case if using PACFile. The filing office will stamp the documents with a docket number and file date. Residents can keep copies of all filed documents, but the court keeps the originals.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

There are fees associated with filing cases in Butler County, and the amount varies depending on the specific case. The fee can be paid at the clerk's office or through the PA ePay Online Case Payments site. Individuals who cannot afford filing fees should file an In Forma Pauperis (IFP) Petition with the court to request a waiver.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

Pennsylvania law requires all plaintiffs to serve the parties they are suing. This is to ensure a fair trial by giving them an opportunity to respond. The process is handled by a Sheriff for all individuals within Pennsylvania, but the court may allow service through mail for out-of-state defendants. Afterward, the server must notify the court by filing the proof of service. It should indicate when, where, and who was served.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

With everything above done right, the case is now officially filed. The filer can monitor the case through the UJS web portal or the CountySuite Courts with their docket or case number. They can check hearing dates, mentions, and other important information about the case.

Butler County Courthouse Directory

Butler County Courthouse

The main courthouse for Butler County houses all five divisions of the Court of Common Pleas. Some of the matters these courts hear include probate, criminal, family, juvenile, and civil. The Butler County Clerk of Courts, which manages records for criminal and juvenile cases, and the Prothonotary, which manages court records for civil cases, are also situated here.

Butler

Address: 124 West Diamond Street, Butler, PA 16001

Clerk of Courts (Criminal): (724) 284 5233

Prothonotary (Civil): (724) 284 5214

Orphans' Court: (724) 284 1409

Website: butlercountypa.gov/

Magisterial District Court

The entry-level courts in Butler County. They handle matters such as traffic violations, evictions, and small claims of less than $12,000.

District 50-1-01

530 Fairground Hill Rd., Butler, PA 16001

(724) 284-5370

District 50-3-01

520 Kelly Blvd., Slippery Rock, PA 16057

(724) 794-6221

District 50-3-02

112 N. Main St., Chicora, PA 16025

(724) 445-3366

District 50-3-03

333 Main St., Suite 103, Saxonburg, PA 16056

(724) 352-9465

District 50-3-04

9028 Marshall Rd., Cranberry Township, PA 16066

(724) 772-1717

District 50-3-05

107 Woody Dr., Butler, PA 16001

(724) 431-4854

District 50-3-06

202 E Main St., Evans City, PA 16033

(724) 538-3960

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

While Butler County strives to ensure justice is served for all without discrimination, some vulnerable individuals still don't get justice because they cannot afford legal representation. But several local organizations are helping the community by offering free legal advice, representation, and other forms of support to vulnerable individuals.

Free Legal Assistance

Low-income residents facing civil disputes can contact the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network for legal advice and representation. Senior citizens aged 60 years and above can also reach out to Senior Law for advice, counsel, and legal representation in matters such as abuse, guardianship defense, housing, long-term care, and healthcare.

University of Pittsburgh School of Law Civil Practice Clinic supports the elderly and people living with disabilities in cases involving disability claims, health care law, medical malpractice, family law, and Social Security disability. Self-litigants can use PA Legal Help to learn legal rights, court processes, and legal forms required to file cases in Pennsylvania. They can also check the Pennsylvania law library, which contains a wealth of materials for legal research.

Local Legal Support

Residents who have faced sexual violence can reach out to the Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR) for legal representation, support, housing, and employment issues. Low-income households and vulnerable individuals can also contact Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) for legal assistance in civil cases.

FAQs

Where do I file a civil case in Butler County?

Where to file a case will depend on the amount in dispute. If the claim is under $12,000, the resident should file at a Magisterial District Court. If the claim is higher, it should be filed at the Butler County Prothonotary. Check the Pennsylvania Courts Self-Help Center for information on what documents are needed to file the case.

Can I access court records online in Butler County?

Yes, residents can access Butler County court records through the UJS web portal or CountySuite Courts. They should search by the name of the party or the docket number. This access is free, but they will have to pay to get certified copies. However, they may not access some records, such as juvenile records and those sealed by a court order.

What types of court records are public in Butler County?

Most court records in Butler County are public and accessible, as required by the Public Access Policy of Pennsylvania. As such, residents can access docket sheets, orders, judgments, hearing schedules, and more. However, some records, such as those involving minors, juveniles, and mental health, may be restricted.

How do I request physical copies of court records?

Residents can request physical copies of court records by contacting the relevant clerk's office. For instance, residents requiring civil records should contact the Prothonotary, while those requiring criminal and juvenile records should contact the Butler County Clerk of Courts. They can also go to the offices in person. Older records may take longer to retrieve because they may be stored off-site.

Are online court record searches always accurate?

Government online court record search tools are often correct, but are not infallible. There could be data entry errors, such as when a name or entry is typed incorrectly. If residents want records that are 100% accurate, such as those needed during employment screening, background checks, professional licensing, or legal proceedings, it's better to obtain official certified records directly from the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary.

When is it helpful to use a third-party records finder?

County or state-specific record search tools are very helpful for finding records within the county or state. However, when residents are uncertain where the case was filed, they may not be very helpful. In such cases, they can use third-party tools such as CourtCaseFinder to search across multiple states or jurisdictions.

Butler County Court Records Lookup

Table of Contents