Butler County, PA Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
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- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Court of Common Pleas of Butler County is the county's trial court of general jurisdiction. Magisterial District Courts handle minor matters in Pennsylvania.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Court of Common Pleas of Butler County |
| Online Case Search | UJS Web Portal, the statewide case search |
| Handles | Trial matters of general jurisdiction in the county |
| Does NOT Handle | Minor matters heard by Magisterial District Courts |
How to Search Butler County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search Butler County records.
Online
Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us to search statewide case records.
Search by name or case number, then open the case summary.
Check the portal for any fees before you search.
Best for: Quick lookups of case status
In Person
Go to the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary at the county courthouse.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask which office holds your case type.
Best for: Requests that need the clerk's help
Contact the Clerk
Contact the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary for the case type you need.
Ask which office holds your case and how to submit a written request.
Confirm what the office requires before you send anything.
Best for: Confirming which office holds a case
Search by Name on PennsylvaniaCourts.org
Go to PennsylvaniaCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Butler County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
Butler County's Court of Common Pleas received 4,967 new cases in CY 2024 and disposed of 5,696. Filings fell 1.1% from CY 2023.
4,967
Total filings in CY 2024
5,696
Total dispositions in CY 2024
828
Filings per judicial position
-1.1%
Change in total filings vs CY 2023
| Metric | CY 2024 | CY 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | 4,967 | 5,023 | -1.1% |
| Total Dispositions | 5,696 | 5,794 | -1.7% |
| Criminal Filings | 1,401 | 1,589 | -11.8% |
| Civil Filings | 1,109 | 962 | +15.3% |
| Family Law Filings | 2,009 | 2,060 | -2.5% |
| Probate Filings | 259 | 233 | +11.2% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~19 | ~19 | ~+0.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | 189 | 179 | +5.6% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | 6 | 6 | +0.0% |
The largest change was in criminal filings, which fell by 188 (-11.8%).
How Have Court Filings Changed in Butler County?
Total filings in Butler County fell over the last five years, from 5,837 in CY 2020 to 4,967 in CY 2024. Dispositions are shown next to filings for each year.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2024 | 4,967 | 5,696 | -1.1% |
| CY 2023 | 5,023 | 5,794 | -4.5% |
| CY 2022 | 5,259 | 5,322 | +0.9% |
| CY 2021 | 5,214 | 5,568 | -10.7% |
| CY 2020 | 5,837 | 5,620 | -11.5% |
Filings changed -14.9% between CY 2020 and CY 2024. The largest annual increase was +0.9% in CY 2022, and the largest decrease was -11.5% in CY 2020. In the latest year, criminal filings drove the change. Years are calendar years, as reported by the AOPC.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Butler County?
Family law cases are the largest category in Butler County, at 40.4% of 4,967 filings in CY 2024.
| Case Type | Filings CY 2024 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | 1,401 | 28.2% | -11.8% |
| Civil | 1,109 | 22.3% | +15.3% |
| Family law | 2,009 | 40.4% | -2.5% |
| Probate | 259 | 5.2% | +11.2% |
| Juvenile | 189 | 3.8% | +5.6% |
| Mental health | 19 | 0.4% | -1.1% |
Civil filings grew fastest (+15.3%) and criminal filings fell fastest (-11.8%).
How Does Butler County Compare With Pennsylvania Overall?
Butler County accounted for 0.94% of the 526,789 cases filed in Pennsylvania's Courts of Common Pleas in CY 2024.
| Metric | Butler County | Pennsylvania | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | 4,967 | 526,789 | 0.94% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | -1.1% | +1.7% | 2.8 points below state |
| Filings per judicial position | 828 | 1,140 | 27.4% below state |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | 949 | 1,172 | 19.0% below state |
| Criminal share of filings | 28.2% | 23.6% | 4.6 points above state |
| Civil share of filings | 22.3% | 28.8% | 6.5 points below state |
| Family law share of filings | 40.4% | 42.1% | 1.7 points below state |
Each judicial position in Butler County handled fewer new cases than the statewide average (828 vs 1,140), and criminal cases made up 28.2% of its filings compared with 23.6% statewide. Statewide figures use the same categories and the same counties' exclusions as the county figures.
Butler County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Pennsylvania statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Butler County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 7.7% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 99.5% of Pennsylvania's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
29,726
Violent crimes, Pennsylvania statewide, 2025
176,359
Property crimes, Pennsylvania statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
227.6
Violent crime rate per 100K, Pennsylvania statewide, 2025 (population 13,059,432)
-7.7%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, Pennsylvania statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (206,085 vs 223,384)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 546 | 4.2 | 685 | -20.3% |
| Rape | 3,510 | 26.9 | 3,928 | -10.6% |
| Robbery | 5,889 | 45.1 | 6,779 | -13.1% |
| Aggravated assault | 19,781 | 151.5 | 21,301 | -7.1% |
| Violent crimes total | 29,726 | 227.6 | 32,693 | -9.1% |
| Burglary | 13,934 | 106.7 | 15,398 | -9.5% |
| Larceny-theft | 136,448 | 1,044.8 | 148,774 | -8.3% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 24,699 | 189.1 | 24,901 | -0.8% |
| Property crimes total | 176,359 | 1,350.4 | 190,691 | -7.5% |
Rates use the Pennsylvania 2025 population of 13,059,432. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Butler County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Butler County Courthouse Locations
Butler County court proceedings are held at the Butler County Government Judicial Center. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butler County Government Judicial Center | 124 West Diamond Street, Butler, PA 16001 | 724-285-4731 | See location page |
Addresses and phone numbers come from public directory listings and may change, so confirm them with the clerk before you visit.
Which Court Handles Your Case in Butler County?
In Butler County, Pennsylvania, local matters are handled by the magisterial district courts and the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Magisterial District Court serving Butler County | Summary traffic citations are handled at the magisterial district court that covers where the ticket was issued. |
| Parking ticket | The city, borough, or parking authority that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are usually paid or contested through the issuing local agency, not a county court. |
| Misdemeanor | Magisterial District Court, then Court of Common Pleas of Butler County | Misdemeanors start with a preliminary stage at the magisterial district court and move to common pleas if held for court. |
| Felony | Court of Common Pleas of Butler County | Felony cases begin with a preliminary hearing at a magisterial district court and are tried in common pleas. |
| DUI | Court of Common Pleas of Butler County | DUI charges that are misdemeanors or felonies are heard in common pleas after the preliminary stage. |
| Domestic violence | Court of Common Pleas of Butler County, Family Division | Protection from abuse petitions are filed with the county prothonotary or family court office; a criminal charge follows the criminal track. |
| Civil lawsuit | Court of Common Pleas of Butler County | Larger civil claims are filed with the prothonotary of the county common pleas court. |
| Small claims | Magisterial District Court serving Butler County | Civil claims for smaller amounts are filed at the magisterial district court. |
| Eviction | Magisterial District Court serving Butler County | Landlord and tenant complaints are filed at the magisterial district court for the rental property. |
| Divorce | Court of Common Pleas of Butler County, Family Division | Divorce is filed with the county prothonotary and handled in common pleas. |
| Child custody or support | Court of Common Pleas of Butler County, Domestic Relations | Custody and support matters are handled by the county court of common pleas. |
| Probate or estate | Register of Wills and Orphans' Court of Butler County | The Register of Wills handles estates, and contested matters go to the Orphans' Court Division of common pleas. |
| Juvenile case | Court of Common Pleas of Butler County, Juvenile Division | Juvenile delinquency and dependency matters are heard in common pleas. |
| Appeal | Court of Common Pleas, Superior Court, or Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania | Summary appeals go to common pleas; most other appeals go to the appellate courts. Federal matters go to the U.S. District Court. |
Are Butler County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Butler County court records are public, with exceptions set by Pennsylvania's court rules. Under the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Public Access Policy, case records of the courts and Magisterial District Courts are generally public.
Public records
Case records of the Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts are generally open to the public under the policy.
Restricted or confidential records
Records that are sealed or confidential under the policy or other law are not available without a court order.
Online access
The UJS Web Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us lets you search statewide court case records. Online results may not show every document, so confirm with the Clerk of Courts which documents are available online.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary at the Butler County courthouse, depending on the case type, to view or request records.
How to Search Butler County Court Records Online
You can look up case information for Butler County through the statewide Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal and county offices.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, or family.
- Open the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal for statewide docket searches.
- Search by participant name, docket number, or citation number.
- Review the docket sheet for hearing dates, charges, and dispositions.
- Request documents that are not online from the court or county office in Butler County.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal | Docket sheets for common pleas and magisterial district court criminal cases, searchable by name or docket number. | Docket information is shown online, but filed documents are generally obtained from the clerk of courts. |
| Traffic | Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal | Magisterial district court traffic and summary dockets, including dispositions. | Not every document is online; contact the magisterial district court for copies. |
| Civil | Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal | Magisterial district court civil dockets are searchable in the portal. | Common pleas civil cases are generally not in the statewide portal; check the Butler County prothonotary for those records. |
| Small claims | Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal | Civil and landlord-tenant dockets from magisterial district courts. | Case information only; judgments and filings may need a request to the court. |
| Family law | Prothonotary or Domestic Relations office of Butler County | Contact the county office for divorce, custody, and support case status. | Family cases are generally not in the statewide docket search and are often restricted. |
| Probate | Register of Wills of Butler County | Estate files are maintained by the county Register of Wills. | Probate records are not part of the statewide docket search; request copies from the Register of Wills. |
| Juvenile | Court of Common Pleas of Butler County (restricted access) | Juvenile records are confidential and not publicly searchable. | Only parties and authorized persons can obtain juvenile case information from the court. |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Butler County
Payment options for Butler County are not listed in this section, so check your citation or notice for the office and payment instructions.
Contact the office named on your citation or notice to confirm how to pay a traffic citation or criminal fine.
Butler County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Butler County court records?
Use the UJS Web Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us to search statewide case records, or contact the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary for records the portal does not show.
Are Butler County court records public?
Most case records are public under the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Public Access Policy, but sealed or confidential records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case in Butler County?
Search by name on the UJS Web Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us, or contact the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary with the defendant's name.
How do I find a court date in Butler County?
Check your citation or notice for the court date, or contact the office that holds your case to confirm it.
How do I pay a traffic ticket in Butler County?
Check the citation or notice for payment instructions, or contact the office named on it to confirm how to pay.
How many cases are filed in Butler County each year?
County filing counts for Butler County are not published here, so this page cannot report annual filings for the county.
What is the most common type of case in Butler County?
County case type breakdowns for Butler County are not published here, so this page cannot name the most common case type.
Is crime in Butler County rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 9.1% to 29,726 in 2025 from 32,693 in 2024, and property crimes fell 7.5% to 176,359 from 190,691, as reported to the FBI. These are Pennsylvania statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Butler County Common PleasMore Info
| Address: | 124 W. Diamond St., Butler, PA, 16003 |
| Phone Number: | 724-285-4731 |
| Website: | http://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/individual-county-courts/butler-county |
Butler TownshipMore Info
| Address: | 121 Sunnyview Circle, Butler , PA, 16001 |
| Phone Number: | (724) 284-5370 |
| Fax: | (724) 284-1306 |
| Website: | https://www.butlercountypa.gov/Directory.aspx?did=23 |
Useful Links
- Butler County Court of Common Pleas - Official site with information on the court's schedule, judges, case processing, and local procedures.
- Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System Web Portal - Provides comprehensive access to court records, case searches, and e-filing services across Pennsylvania.
- Butler County Clerk of Courts - Gateway to public records, services, and information from the Clerk's office for criminal and civil cases.
- Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas - Overview of all Courts of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania, including structural and jurisdictional details.
- Magisterial District Courts in Butler County - Information on the jurisdiction, locations, and operations of Magisterial District Courts serving Butler County.
- Butler County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court - Offers access to probate records, marriage licenses, and adoption proceedings.
- PA Law Help - Legal resource site offering help with understanding and accessing Pennsylvania court systems and legal information.
- Butler County Prothonotary Office - Manages public access to civil court records and documents related to civil proceedings.
- Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network - Network providing free legal services to low-income individuals within Pennsylvania and offering valuable legal resources.
- Pennsylvania Civil Legal Justice Coalition - Advocates for civil legal justice reform and provides information on legal aid and public interest resources.
- Butler County Sheriff's Office - Learn about court security, warrants, and sheriff's sales conducted in Butler County.
- Learn About the Courts - Pennsylvania Judiciary resource for civics education concerning the state's court system and judiciary procedures.
- Butler County Bar Association - Local professional organization offering legal resources, referral services, and supports the community with legal education.
- Lancaster Bar Association Court Resources - Provides court resources, although not specific to Butler, including links useful across Pennsylvania.
- Public Records in the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System - Guide for accessing various public records available through Pennsylvania's unified court system.
- Butler County District Attorney's Office - Provides details on prosecution services, victim assistance, and court proceedings managed by the DA's office.
- Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania - Oversees the ethical conduct of judges in Pennsylvania, providing accountability and guidelines for judges' behavior.
- Dauphin County Bar Association Legal Resources - Offers educational resources applicable across Pennsylvania's legal landscape, including Butler County.
- Butler County, PA Official Website - Comprehensive resource with links to various departments, including courts and legal services.
- Pennsylvania Bar Association Legislative Resources - Provides resources and links for legal professionals and the public on legislative matters in Pennsylvania.
Table of Contents
- Butler County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Butler County Court Records
- Butler County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Butler County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Butler County?
- How Does Butler County Compare With Pennsylvania Overall?
- Butler County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Butler County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Butler County?
- Are Butler County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Butler County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Butler County
- Butler County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links