Allegheny County Warrant Search
What Is a Search Warrant In Allegheny County?
A search warrant in Allegheny County is a legal document issued by a judicial authority that authorizes law enforcement officers to search a specifically designated location and seize particular items or evidence described within the warrant. Search warrants are governed by both the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure § 200-211, which establish the requirements for their issuance and execution.
Search warrants differ significantly from other types of warrants used in the criminal justice system:
- Search Warrant: Authorizes the search of a specific location and seizure of specific items
- Arrest Warrant: Authorizes the apprehension of a named individual
- Bench Warrant: Issued by a judge when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing
For a search warrant to be valid in Allegheny County, it must be based on probable cause, supported by sworn affidavit, and must particularly describe both the place to be searched and the items to be seized. According to Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure § 203, probable cause must be established through written affidavits presented to the issuing authority.
Are Warrants Public Records In Allegheny County?
The public accessibility of warrants in Allegheny County follows a nuanced framework established by Pennsylvania law. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101, government records are presumed to be public unless specifically exempted. However, warrant accessibility depends on several factors including warrant type, status, and stage of the criminal proceeding.
Active warrants are generally not publicly accessible while investigations are ongoing. This restriction stems from exemptions in the Right-to-Know Law related to criminal investigations and public safety concerns. Once executed, search warrant documents typically become part of the court record, though access may still be restricted if:
- The warrant relates to an ongoing investigation
- The court has sealed the warrant records
- The warrant contains information that could compromise witness safety
- The warrant contains information about confidential informants
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System maintains court records, including executed warrants that have been filed with the court. However, pursuant to Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure § 212, search warrant affidavits may be sealed for good cause for a period specified by the issuing authority.
How to Find Out if I Have a Warrant In Allegheny County?
Members of the public seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Allegheny County may utilize several official channels:
- Contact the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about warrant status:
Allegheny County Sheriff's Office
436 Grant Street, Courthouse Room 111
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-350-4700
Allegheny County Sheriff's Office
-
Check the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal which provides access to court docket information:
- Visit the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal
- Select "Docket Sheets" and then "Criminal"
- Enter name information to search for criminal cases that may include warrant information
-
Contact the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas for information about bench warrants:
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
440 Ross Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-350-5400
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
Individuals concerned about potential warrants should be aware that warrant information may not be immediately updated in public-facing systems. For the most accurate information, direct contact with the Sheriff's Office is recommended.
How To Check for Warrants in Allegheny County for Free in 2026
Members of the public may check for warrants in Allegheny County without incurring fees through several official channels:
-
Online Docket Search
- Access the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal
- Select "Public Web Docket Sheets"
- Choose "Criminal" from the available options
- Enter the name of the individual in question
- Review any criminal cases for warrant information
-
Allegheny County Sheriff's Office Warrant Information
- Visit the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office website
- Navigate to the "Most Wanted" section for publicly listed warrants
- For personal warrant inquiries, individuals may contact the warrant division directly
-
In-Person Inquiry at the Courthouse
- Visit the Allegheny County Courthouse during regular business hours (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday)
- Request warrant information at the Sheriff's Office or Clerk of Courts
Allegheny County Department of Court Records
414 Grant Street, 1st Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-350-4230
Department of Court Records
When checking for warrants, individuals should be prepared to provide proper identification and may need to verify their identity to receive information about warrants issued in their name.
What Types of Warrants In Allegheny County
Allegheny County courts issue several distinct types of warrants, each serving a specific function within the criminal justice system:
-
Arrest Warrants: Issued when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a crime. These warrants authorize law enforcement to take the named person into custody.
-
Bench Warrants: Issued directly by a judge when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing, violates probation terms, or fails to comply with a court order.
-
Search Warrants: Authorize law enforcement to search specified premises and seize particular items described in the warrant. These must comply with Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure § 201.
-
Material Witness Warrants: Issued to secure the testimony of a witness deemed material to a criminal proceeding who may not appear voluntarily.
-
Probation Violation Warrants: Issued when an individual on probation violates the terms of their supervision.
-
Child Support Warrants: Issued when an individual fails to comply with court-ordered child support payments.
Each warrant type follows specific procedural requirements for issuance and execution as outlined in the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure and relevant statutes.
What Warrants in Allegheny County Contain
Warrants issued in Allegheny County must contain specific information to be legally valid. According to Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure § 206, search warrants must include:
- The issuing authority's name and official title
- The date and time of issuance
- A specific description of the property to be searched for and seized
- The name or description of the person or place to be searched
- The name and department of the law enforcement officer to whom the warrant is issued
- A statement that probable cause exists for the search
- The signature of the issuing authority
Arrest warrants must contain:
- The name of the defendant or a description of the person to be arrested
- The offense charged
- The date of issuance
- A certification that probable cause exists for the arrest
- The issuing authority's signature
Bench warrants typically include:
- The name of the person to be arrested
- The case number and court information
- The reason for issuance (failure to appear, probation violation, etc.)
- Instructions for law enforcement regarding bail or detention
- The judge's signature and date of issuance
All warrants must adhere to constitutional requirements regarding specificity and probable cause as interpreted by Pennsylvania courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Who Issues Warrants In Allegheny County
In Allegheny County, the authority to issue warrants is vested in specific judicial officers as prescribed by Pennsylvania law:
-
Magisterial District Judges have primary authority to issue search warrants and arrest warrants for offenses occurring within their jurisdictional boundaries. Allegheny County has 46 magisterial district courts serving specific geographic areas.
-
Court of Common Pleas Judges may issue all types of warrants, including bench warrants for failure to appear in their courtrooms. These judges typically handle more serious criminal matters.
-
The Pittsburgh Municipal Court magistrates may issue warrants for offenses occurring within the City of Pittsburgh during preliminary arraignments and proceedings.
According to Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure § 203, the issuing authority must determine that probable cause exists before issuing a search warrant. This determination must be based on sworn affidavits presented by law enforcement.
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
440 Ross Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-350-5400
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
For arrest warrants, the issuing authority must find probable cause that a criminal offense has been committed and that the person named in the warrant committed the offense.
How To Find for Outstanding Warrants In Allegheny County
Members of the public seeking information about outstanding warrants in Allegheny County may utilize several official resources:
- Allegheny County Sheriff's Office Warrant Division
- Contact the warrant division directly at 412-350-4714
- Provide the full name and date of birth of the person in question
- The Sheriff's Office maintains the most current information on active warrants
Allegheny County Sheriff's Office
436 Grant Street, Courthouse Room 111
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-350-4700
Allegheny County Sheriff's Office
-
Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal
- Access the UJS Portal
- Select "Docket Sheets" and then "Criminal"
- Enter the name information to search for criminal cases
- Review docket entries for warrant information
-
Allegheny County Department of Court Records
- Visit in person during business hours (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday)
- Request a search of court records for warrant information
Allegheny County Department of Court Records
414 Grant Street, 1st Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-350-4230
Department of Court Records
- Local Police Departments
- Contact the police department in the municipality where the alleged offense occurred
- Provide identifying information to determine if a warrant exists
Individuals should be aware that some warrant information may not be publicly disclosed, particularly for warrants related to ongoing investigations or those that have been sealed by court order.
How To Check Federal Warrants In Allegheny County
Federal warrants operate under a separate system from county and state warrants and are issued by federal courts for violations of federal law. To check for federal warrants in Allegheny County:
- Contact the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- The clerk's office can provide information about publicly available federal court records
- Not all federal warrant information is publicly accessible
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Joseph F. Weis, Jr. U.S. Courthouse
700 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-208-7500
U.S. District Court - Western District of PA
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Pittsburgh Field Office
- The FBI generally does not provide warrant information directly to the public
- Individuals with concerns about federal warrants may consult with an attorney who can make appropriate inquiries
FBI Pittsburgh Field Office
3311 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-432-4000
FBI Pittsburgh
- Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)
- PACER provides electronic access to federal court records
- Registration is required and fees may apply
- Visit PACER to register and search federal court records
- Not all warrant information is available through PACER, particularly for sealed warrants
Federal warrants typically remain under seal until executed and may not appear in public records until after an arrest has been made. Due to the sensitive nature of federal investigations, information about active federal warrants is often restricted.
How Long Do Warrants Last In Allegheny County?
Warrants issued in Allegheny County generally remain active until they are executed, recalled by the issuing authority, or otherwise resolved through legal processes. The duration of different warrant types varies according to Pennsylvania law:
-
Arrest Warrants: Remain active indefinitely until executed or withdrawn. There is no statutory expiration date for arrest warrants in Pennsylvania.
-
Bench Warrants: Remain in effect until the individual appears before the court or the warrant is withdrawn by the issuing judge. According to Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure § 150, bench warrants require the individual to be brought before the issuing authority without unnecessary delay.
-
Search Warrants: Must be executed within a specific timeframe. According to Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure § 205(4), search warrants must be executed within a specified period not to exceed two days from the time of issuance. If not executed within this timeframe, the warrant expires and must be returned to the issuing authority.
The statute of limitations for the underlying criminal offense does not affect the validity of an outstanding warrant. Once a warrant has been issued, it generally remains active regardless of the passage of time, though practical enforcement priorities may change.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Search Warrant In Allegheny County?
The timeframe for obtaining a search warrant in Allegheny County varies based on several factors, but the process can be expedited when necessary. Under normal circumstances:
-
Standard Process: Obtaining a search warrant typically takes several hours to complete:
- Law enforcement officers must prepare a detailed affidavit establishing probable cause
- The affidavit and warrant application must be reviewed by a prosecutor
- The application must be presented to an appropriate issuing authority
- The issuing authority must review the materials and determine if probable cause exists
-
Emergency Situations: In urgent circumstances, search warrants can be obtained more rapidly:
- Pennsylvania law provides for expedited procedures when evidence may be destroyed or when public safety is at immediate risk
- In some cases, warrants can be obtained in as little as 1-2 hours
-
Electronic Warrants: Allegheny County utilizes electronic warrant systems that can streamline the process:
- Digital submission of warrant applications reduces travel time
- Electronic review and approval by judicial officers expedites issuance
- This system allows for faster processing while maintaining legal requirements
According to Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure § 203(B), search warrant applications may be submitted to an issuing authority using advanced communication technology, which can significantly reduce the time required to obtain a warrant in urgent situations.
Once issued, search warrants in Allegheny County must be executed within the timeframe specified on the warrant, not to exceed two days from issuance, as mandated by Pennsylvania law.