PA Warrant Search: How to Find Out If You Have a Warrant in Pennsylvania
Can You Look Up a Warrant in Pennsylvania?
There is no single statewide public warrant database in Pennsylvania. You can check the Unified Judicial System web portal for open cases and bench warrants, and some county sheriff offices publish wanted or fugitive lists. A defense lawyer can also check for you confidentially.
Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC can run that check for you and explain what to do if a warrant turns up. Call (412) 281-2146 or contact us for a free consultation to discuss your options and next steps.
Types of Warrants in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, there are primarily two types of warrants: bench warrants and arrest warrants.
Bench Warrants
A bench warrant is issued when someone fails to appear for a scheduled court date or violates a court order. Minor offenses often trigger bench warrants but can lead to serious consequences. For example, missing a hearing related to unpaid fines, minor traffic violations, or probation requirements may prompt a judge to issue a bench warrant.
Once issued, a bench warrant gives law enforcement the authority to arrest you on sight, often catching individuals off guard by targeting them at home, work, or even during routine traffic stops. Because a bench warrant remains active until you appear before the court, ignoring it can lead to escalated penalties, including additional fines, jail time, or limitations on your driver’s license.
Not all bench warrants in Pennsylvania are triggered the same way, and knowing which type you may be facing helps determine what to do next:
- Failure-to-appear (FTA) bench warrants: The most common type. When a defendant misses a scheduled court date, whether for a traffic hearing, a preliminary hearing, or a sentencing date, the judge may issue an FTA bench warrant. In Allegheny County, FTA warrants can result from missed appearances in Pittsburgh Municipal Court or the Court of Common Pleas.
- Probation-violation bench warrants: If you are on probation and commit a probation violation, such as failing a drug test, missing a check-in with your probation officer, or leaving the county without permission, the court can issue a bench warrant for your arrest. Probation-violation warrants often carry stricter consequences because the court has already extended leniency once.
- Contempt-of-court bench warrants: A judge may issue a contempt bench warrant when someone disobeys a direct court order, for example, refusing to pay court-ordered restitution or violating a protection-from-abuse (PFA) order. Contempt warrants can carry additional penalties on top of the original case.
Arrest Warrants
Unlike bench warrants, arrest warrants in Pennsylvania are issued based on probable cause that you committed a crime. Probable cause is a legal standard when there’s sufficient evidence to believe an individual may have engaged in criminal activity. Arrest warrants are often sought for more serious criminal cases, including felonies and certain misdemeanors, and provide police with the authority to arrest you at any time.
With an arrest warrant, officers can enter private residences or workplaces to take you into custody, especially if there’s reason to believe you’re evading arrest. Because arrest warrants involve a legal affidavit and judge approval, they can impact your case significantly if left unaddressed, potentially leading to tougher bail conditions or enhanced charges.
How to Check if You Have an Active Warrant in Pennsylvania
Finding out if you have a warrant in Pennsylvania involves several methods, each offering varying levels of privacy, speed, and accuracy.
Online: the UJS Portal and County Sheriff Lists
Start with the Unified Judicial System web portal (ujsportal.pacourts.us). It is the official statewide court record, it is free, and it covers criminal cases in the magisterial district courts and the Courts of Common Pleas, including Allegheny County. Search your name, open any criminal case that appears, and read the docket entries: when a judge issues a bench warrant, the docket usually records it. The portal shows court cases, not a list of warrants, so a warrant that has not yet been docketed, or that a court has sealed, will not appear there.
County sheriff offices are the other online source, and what they publish varies. Some post wanted or fugitive lists, which are not complete warrant lists. The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Warrant Office does not publish its active warrants and will not confirm one by phone. Its page says that anyone who believes they have a warrant must appear in person. The Sheriff’s fugitive list names only the people the office is actively looking for, so not being on it does not mean you are clear.
Contact the Court Clerk
You may also call the clerk’s office or local courthouse for warrant information. In Allegheny County, Court of Common Pleas criminal records are kept by the Department of Court Records, and a case still before a magisterial district judge is handled by that judge’s office. However, this process can be time-consuming, and without an attorney, you might reveal details that could complicate your case.
Pennsylvania State Police
For statewide information, you can contact the Pennsylvania State Police directly. Although they may not release all details over the phone, they can guide you on the appropriate steps to obtain this information.
Ask a Defense Attorney
A defense attorney can review the court dockets and make the calls for you, so you can find out whether a warrant exists without walking into a courthouse or police station yourself. What you tell your lawyer stays confidential. The attorneys at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC conduct these searches discreetly and can advise you on handling any issues related to an active warrant.
What to Do If You Have a Warrant in Pennsylvania
Knowing you have a warrant can be intimidating, but there are steps you can take to handle the situation effectively. Warrants issued through Pittsburgh Municipal Court or the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas remain active until resolved, meaning law enforcement can execute the warrant at any time during a traffic stop, at your home, or even at your workplace.
1. Do Not Ignore the Warrant
Ignoring a warrant won’t make it disappear. It may actually increase your legal risk. Courts are more likely to view cooperation favorably, which can affect your case outcome.
2. Seek Legal Counsel
Contact a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer who can offer insight on managing the warrant and protecting your rights. Our attorneys can contact the court on your behalf, determine the conditions attached to the warrant, and often arrange a voluntary surrender.
3. Consider Turning Yourself In
Turning yourself in can sometimes be beneficial, especially if you’ve sought legal guidance. Your attorney can often arrange a time for you to appear in court, which may reduce the chances of a surprise arrest. When you turn yourself in through counsel, judges in Allegheny County typically view the cooperation favorably, which can lead to lower bail, reduced penalties, or a more manageable resolution at your arraignment.
The Benefits of Proactively Addressing Warrants
Addressing a warrant with the help of an attorney can help you avoid unexpected arrests, manage court expectations, and potentially improve your standing in the legal process.
At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, we’re here to help you understand your legal options. If you suspect there may be a warrant for your arrest, do not wait for a surprise arrest. Call us at (412) 281-2146 or send us a message for a free, confidential consultation. We regularly handle warrant matters in the Allegheny County courthouse system and will walk you through each step of the process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Warrants in Pennsylvania
Can I look up my own warrant in PA?
Yes, within limits. You can search your name on the Unified Judicial System web portal to see open cases and docketed bench warrants, and you can call the clerk of courts in the county where you think the case was filed. Neither source is a complete warrant list. A criminal defense attorney can run the check for you and keep the inquiry confidential.
Does PA have an online warrant search?
Not a dedicated one. Warrant records are kept at the county level, and the closest statewide tool is the free Unified Judicial System web portal, which shows court cases and docketed bench warrants. Some county sheriffs post wanted or fugitive lists online, while others, including Allegheny County, do not release warrant information to the public. For Allegheny County matters, contacting a Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer is the most reliable and discreet way to check.
What happens if you turn yourself in on a bench warrant?
Turning yourself in, especially with an attorney, is generally viewed favorably by Pennsylvania judges. The court typically processes you through an arraignment, sets new bail conditions, and reschedules your hearing. Voluntary surrender often results in lower bail and demonstrates to the court that you take the matter seriously.
How long does a warrant last in Pennsylvania?
Warrants in Pennsylvania do not expire. A bench warrant or arrest warrant remains active indefinitely until you are apprehended, you voluntarily appear in court, or the court recalls the warrant. A warrant issued years ago can still result in arrest during a routine traffic stop or background check.
Can you be arrested at work on a warrant in PA?
Yes. An active warrant authorizes law enforcement to arrest you anywhere in Pennsylvania, including at your workplace. Officers may also come to your home or pull you over during a traffic stop. This is one of the strongest reasons to address a warrant proactively. A Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney can help arrange a private, voluntary surrender that protects your job and your dignity.
Is there a free PA warrant search?
The Unified Judicial System web portal is free and is the official statewide court record, but it lists cases and docketed bench warrants, not every active warrant. There is no free statewide list of active warrants, and the commercial sites that advertise one work from incomplete public records. A defense attorney can check for you confidentially, and our consultations are free.
What Our Clients Say About Our Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyers
Read what John had to say about us on Avvo:
“I lost my license 20 years ago and never thought I would ever get it back they told me I had to come back to Pittsburgh and do 9 months in jail if I wanted to even think about getting my license so I got a hold call Samir and he took care of my case better than I ever thought anyone could and now after 20 years of having no license I finally got it back and it only took them 5 months I had six out-of-state warrants and I walked away from this clean so I want to give a huge thank you to Michael and Samir and the secretary they were so nice to me and help me with every possible problem I had so if you’re looking for an attorney I wouldn’t look any further”
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Written & Reviewed By
Michael Worgul, Esq.
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney
Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC
Pennsylvania Bar · Admitted 2004 · U.S. District Court, Western District of PA
Michael Worgul has practiced criminal defense in Pittsburgh for over 20 years, handling cases across the full criminal spectrum, from misdemeanor traffic charges to federal racketeering. After graduating from Duquesne University School of Law (J.D., 2004), he spent two years representing indigent defendants at the Allegheny County Office of Conflict Counsel before founding his firm in 2008. He has completed 30+ jury trials, compared to a career average of 7 for most attorneys.
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Content reviewed for legal accuracy. This is not legal advice.