Pittsburgh Busted Mugshots and Police Records
Pittsburgh busted mugshots come from the second largest city in Pennsylvania. The city sits at the point where three rivers meet in western Allegheny County. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police handles all arrests within the city. Six police zones cover the neighborhoods. Arrest records, booking photos, and incident reports are kept by the Central Records and Reporting Unit. This guide explains how to search for busted mugshots and related criminal records in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Quick Facts
Pittsburgh Police Arrest Records
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police keeps arrest records at the Central Records and Reporting Unit (CRRU). This office is at 660 First Avenue, 3rd floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Call 412-255-2920 for questions about reports. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
All police reports cost $15. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card. Walk-in requests are handled during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit.
To request reports by mail, include the incident type, report number, a photocopy of your ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail your request to the CRRU at the First Avenue address. Pittsburgh busted mugshots tied to an arrest may be part of the booking record on file.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police also maintains a Public Information Data portal. This tool shows crime data and incident locations across the city. It does not include individual booking photos, but it can help you find report numbers tied to specific events.
Note: Pittsburgh has six police zones. Each zone covers a group of neighborhoods. All arrest records from every zone go to the same central office at 660 First Avenue.
Pittsburgh Busted Mugshots Open Records
The City of Pittsburgh has a formal Right-to-Know process. The Open Records Officer is Emma Cusumano. The Deputy is Celia Behrend Liss. Their office is at 313 City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. The phone number is 412-255-2015 and the fax is 412-255-2285.
You can submit a request by email to openrecords@pittsburghpa.gov, by mail, by fax, or in person. The Right-to-Know request page has forms and instructions. Every request must include a description of the records you want, your full name, and a physical address. PO Boxes are not accepted.
Phone requests and anonymous requests are not allowed under the policy. The city follows the Right-to-Know Law (65 Pa. Statute Section 67.101 et seq.) for all records requests. Pittsburgh busted mugshots and arrest records fall under these rules.
Audio and video records, including body-worn camera footage, require a request under Act 22. You must file this within 60 days of the incident. The same open records office handles these requests.
Pittsburgh Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases from Pittsburgh arrests go through the Pittsburgh Municipal Court for preliminary hearings. More serious cases move to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. The municipal court handles initial arraignments, bail hearings, and preliminary proceedings.
You can search court records through the UJS Portal. This free tool covers all courts in Allegheny County. Search by name or case number. Results show charges, hearing dates, and case status. The portal is run by the state and updated regularly.
To find Pittsburgh busted mugshots tied to a court case, start with the case number. The case number links the court file to the arrest record. You can then request the police report from the CRRU using that number.
Pittsburgh Busted Mugshots Background Checks
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system lets you run a statewide criminal background check. Visit epatch.pa.gov to use this service. It searches records from all 67 counties, not just Allegheny County.
PATCH results show criminal convictions and pending cases under the Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. Section 9101 et seq.). The system is run by the Pennsylvania State Police. Results come back fast for most searches. A fee applies.
For people in state prison, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has an inmate search tool at pa.gov. This covers state facilities, not the Allegheny County Jail. Pittsburgh busted mugshots from state-level cases may be found through this system.
- PATCH at epatch.pa.gov for statewide criminal history
- UJS Portal for court case details
- CRRU at 412-255-2920 for police reports
- PA DOC inmate locator for state prisoners
Note: The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov handles appeals when a records request is denied. You have 15 business days to file an appeal.
How to Search Pittsburgh Arrest Records
Finding busted mugshots in Pittsburgh starts with knowing which agency holds the record. Police arrest records are at the CRRU. Court records are on the UJS Portal. Jail records are through Allegheny County. Each system uses different search terms.
For police reports, you need the report number or the date and location of the incident. For court records, search by the full name of the person. For jail records, search by name or booking number. The more details you have, the faster your search will go.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police website has links to forms, data tools, and contact information. Check there first if you are not sure where to start your search for Pittsburgh busted mugshots.
Pittsburgh residents can also visit the Pennsylvania Courts website for statewide court information. The Pennsylvania State Police at psp.pa.gov handles state-level law enforcement records and the PATCH system.
You will need some basic details to search for Pittsburgh busted mugshots. A full name is the minimum. A date of birth, case number, or report number will narrow the results. Pittsburgh police and court staff can help if you are not sure which agency holds the record you need. The city has many resources for finding arrest records and booking information.
Pittsburgh is in western Pennsylvania, far from the state capital in Harrisburg. However, all state-level record systems work the same way regardless of location. PATCH, the UJS Portal, and the PA DOC inmate locator all cover Pittsburgh cases along with every other jurisdiction in the state. These online tools make it possible to search from anywhere.
Allegheny County Busted Mugshots
Pittsburgh is in Allegheny County. The county jail, sheriff, and Court of Common Pleas handle many criminal justice functions that go beyond the city police. For countywide arrest records, jail rosters, and more, visit the Allegheny County busted mugshots page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Other cities in Pennsylvania have their own police and courts. Pick a city below to find busted mugshots and arrest records in that area.