Butler County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

With a population of over 194,500, Butler County is part of the Greater Pittsburgh region of Pennsylvania and has its county seat in Butler. The Courts of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts are the two main courts that make up the Butler County trial court system. Magisterial District Courts have limited jurisdiction over specific case types, whereas Courts of Common Pleas have complete jurisdiction over all civil and criminal actions.

The majority of preliminary hearings, certain DUI cases, certain third-degree misdemeanors, some ordinance infractions, and some adoptions are heard in the Butler County Courts of Common in Butler, which is the county's primary court. It also handles some adoptions, juvenile issues, appeals of certain administrative agency decisions, delayed birth certificates, domestic relations, and certain arbitration reviews. It has a division devoted to the Orphans' Court, which handles guardianships, estates, wills, trusts, adoptions, and termination of parental rights. The county's seven Magisterial District Courts handle most of the county's general civil claims, subject to financial restrictions, as well as certain landlord-tenant matters.

Around 1,893 cases are handled by Butler County's court system annually, which is a good representation of the county's thriving legal sector. Its high caseload attests to the need for a strong judicial system, particularly considering that the county records a crime rate of approximately 975.77 incidents per 100,000 persons. Most Butler County court records are maintained by Open Record Officers for each court and are available for public access. Butler County court records can be obtained by submitting a standard RTK request form to the appropriate Open Records Officer in person, by mail, by fax, or by email. Keep in mind that the public is not permitted access to privileged records like documents covered under attorney-client privilege, records that are specifically designated as non-public by another law, or Right to Know Law exclusions, which include medical records, personal financial records, and some criminal and non-criminal investigative records.

In summary, the Butler County judicial system is committed to maintaining justice in a range of legal proceedings and is an essential part of the county's administration. The Magisterial District Courts and the Courts of Common Pleas constitute the backbone of the county's legal system, allowing it to handle the wide variety of cases it handles. The implementation of an innovative computerized system for the management of court records ensures accessibility and transparency and boosts public confidence in Butler County's legal system.