Allegheny County Criminal Court

Allegheny County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Allegheny County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Allegheny County.

I need help for my Allegheny County criminal case

The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Allegheny County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Allegheny County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Allegheny County, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.

Required Court Appearances in Allegheny County

Any required court appearances in Allegheny County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.

Allegheny County Prosecutor

For criminal cases in Allegheny County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Allegheny County. The Allegheny County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.

What is the Burden of Proof?

The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.

Where will Allegheny County criminal case hearings take place?

Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Allegheny County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Allegheny County.

Right to Jury Trial

For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.

Sentencing in Allegheny County

In Allegheny County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.

Allegheny County Arraignments

An arraignment is a court hearing. In Allegheny County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Allegheny County Criminal Court and the judge will read the charges that were filed against the defendant. The judge will also read the rights the defendant has and ask the defendant if they understand both the charges filed against them and their rights as a defendant in the case. In Allegheny County a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty or No Contest may be entered. In a guilty or no contest plea the sentencing of the defendant may take place at the same arraignment hearing or a later date may be scheduled for sentencing. For a not guilty plea, a date will be set for a trial.

The Right to Counsel

The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.

What is a Plea Agreement?

A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.

Appealing a guilty verdict

A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.

Allegheny County Criminal Court Locations

• Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas – Civil Division

  Address: 414 Grant St, Pittsburgh PA 15219
  Phone: 412-350-5400

• Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas – Civil/Family Division

  Address: 414 Grant St, Pittsburgh PA 15219
  Phone: 412-350-4200

• Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas – Criminal Division

  Address: 436 Grant St, Pittsburgh PA 15219
  Phone: 412-350-5525

• Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas – Criminal Division

  Address: 436 Grant St, #114, Pittsburgh PA 15219
  Phone: 412-350-5322

• Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas – Family Division – Adult Section

  Address: 440 Ross St, Pittsburgh PA 15219
  Phone: 412-350-5600

• Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas – Family Division – Juvenile Section

  Address: 550 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15219
  Phone: 412-350-0200 Fax: 412-350-0197

• Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas – Orphans’ Court

  Address: 437 Grant St, #1700, Pittsburgh PA 15219
  Phone: 412-350-5550

• Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas – Wills/Orphans’ Court Division

  Address: 414 Grant St, Pittsburgh PA 15219
  Phone: 412-350-4180

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-01

  Address: 660 Lincoln Ave, Second Floor, Pittsburgh PA 15202
  Phone: 412-761-8770 Fax: 412-761-8254

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-02

  Address: 439 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh PA 15229
  Phone: 412-931-3205 Fax: 412-931-4135

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-03

  Address: 1007 Mount Royal Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15223
  Phone: 412-487-7630 Fax: 412-487-7567

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-04

  Address: 1205 Main St, Sharpsburg PA 15215
  Phone: 412-784-8555 Fax: 412-784-3167

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-05

  Address: 1010 Broadview Blvd, Brackenridge PA 15014
  Phone: 724-224-5555 Fax: 724-226-1594

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-06

  Address: 85 Universal Rd, Pittsburgh PA 15235
  Phone: 412-731-0100 Fax: 412-731-1986

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-07

  Address: 339 Old Haymaker Rd, #1500, Monroeville PA 15146
  Phone: 412-372-1125 Fax: 412-372-8740

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-08

  Address: 2065 Ardmore Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15221
  Phone: 412-271-9125 Fax: 412-271-7529

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-10

  Address: 907 West St, Third Floor, Wilkinsburg PA 15221
  Phone: 412-241-6529 Fax: 412-247-9270

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-11

  Address: 371 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles PA 15137
  Phone: 412-824-3862 Fax: 412-824-3864

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-12

  Address: 8105 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh PA 15237
  Phone: 412-366-2221 Fax: 421-366-8260

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-13

  Address: 687 O’Neil Blvd, McKeesport PA 15132
  Phone: 412-664-4612 Fax: 412-664-1554

• County Magisterial District Court 05-2-14

  Address: 2629 Skyline Dr, West Mifflin PA 15122
  Phone: 412-466-1503 Fax: 412-466-3202

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-15

  Address: 510 E 8th Ave, Munhall PA 15120
  Phone: 412-461-5977 Fax: 412-461-0786

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-16

  Address: 343 Old Curry Hollow Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15236
  Phone: 412-653-2102 Fax: 412-653-0221

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-17

  Address: 5301 Grove Rd, #M201, Pittsburgh PA 15236
  Phone: 412-885-2111 Fax: 412-885-4630

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-18

  Address: 41 Macek Dr, Pittsburgh PA 15227
  Phone: 412-881-1996 Fax: 412-885-2443

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-19

  Address: 680 Washington Rd, #B103, Pittsburgh PA 15228
  Phone: 412-561-4415 Fax: 412-561-4338

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-20

  Address: 5100 W Library Ave, Bethel Park PA 15102
  Phone: 412-835-1661 Fax: 412-835-4060

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-21

  Address: 295 Millers Run Rd, Bridgeville PA 15017
  Phone: 412-221-3353 Fax: 412-221-0908

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-22

  Address: 301 Lindsay Rd, Carnegie, PA 15106
  Phone: 412-276-7887 Fax: 412-276-0654

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-23

  Address: 136 Bradford Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15205
  Phone: 412-921-5559 Fax: 412-921-5619

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-25

  Address: 923 Fifth Ave, First Floor, Coraopolis PA 15108
  Phone: 412-262-3881 Fax: 412-262-2710

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-26

  Address: 2611 Hayden Blvd, #3, Route 51 N, Elizabeth PA 15037
  Phone: 412-382-3050 Fax: 412-382-3052

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-27

  Address: 1700 E Carson St, #300, Pittsburgh PA 15203
  Phone: 412-481-0616 Fax: 412-481-1997

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-28

  Address: 1030 Fifth Ave, First Floor, Pittsburgh PA 15219
  Phone: 412-261-2660 Fax: 412-261-0772

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-31

  Address: 6808 Greenwood St, Pittsburgh PA 15206
  Phone: 412-404-5914 Fax: 412-404-5916

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-32

  Address: 10101 Saltsburg Rd, PO Box 14248, Plum PA 15239
  Phone: 412-793-2727 Fax: 412-793-1355

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-35

  Address: 5850 1/2 Forward Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15217
  Phone: 412-521-9288 Fax: 412-521-3400

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-36

  Address: 4371 Murray Ave, Lower Level Rear, Pittsburgh PA 15217
  Phone: 412-521-7782 Fax: 412-521-3500

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-38

  Address: 736 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15226
  Phone: 412-343-1188 Fax: 412-343-6667

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-40

  Address: 421 E Ohio St, Pittsburgh PA 15212
  Phone: 412-321-0788 Fax: 412-321-4014

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-42

  Address: 3880 Perrysville Ave, First Floor, Pittsburgh PA 15214
  Phone: 412-321-0116 Fax: 412-321-0702

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-43

  Address: 5624 Steubenville Pike, McKees Rocks PA 15136
  Phone: 412-787-5000 Fax: 412-787-5510

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-47

  Address: 100 Penn Plaza Shopping Center, Penn Ave, Turtle Creek PA 15145
  Phone: 412-824-6201 Fax: 412-824-6364

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-3-02

  Address: 190 Ohio River Blvd, PO Box 153, Leetsdale PA 15056
  Phone: 724-266-7179 Fax: 724-266-7422

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-3-03

  Address: 721 Gulf Lab Rd, Cheswick PA 15024
  Phone: 724-274-4800 Fax: 724-274-2515

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-3-04

  Address: 2060 Saxonburg Blvd, Gibsonia PA 15044
  Phone: 724-265-2380 Fax: 724-265-2727

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-3-05

  Address: 1985 Lincoln Way, White Oak PA 15131
  Phone: 412-672-3916 Fax: 412-672-3922

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-3-06

  Address: 104 Linden Ave, McKees Rocks PA 15136
  Phone: 412-331-3414 Fax: 412-331-3422

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-3-09

  Address: One Allegheny Sq, #1, Glassport PA 15045
  Phone: 412-673-0864 Fax: 412-673-0467

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-3-10

  Address: 4211 Butler St, Pittsburgh PA 15201
  Phone: 412-681-1558 Fax: 412-681-5300

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-3-12

  Address: 566 Brushton Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15208
  Phone: 412-241-1165 Fax: 412-241-3600

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-3-13

  Address: 22 Wabash St, #101, Pittsburgh PA 15220
  Phone: 412-331-9828 Fax: 412-331-0475

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-3-14

  Address: 2213 Brownsville Rd, Pittsburgh PA 15210
  Phone: 412-884-1511 Fax: 412-884-3135

• Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-3-17

  Address: 8052 Steubenville Pike, Oakdale PA 15071
  Phone: 724-695-2070 Fax: 724-695-3761

• Pittsburgh Municipal Court

  Address: 660 First Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15219
  Phone: 412-350-6715