The Criminal Division is one of four divisions of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and is centered in the Allegheny County Courthouse.
Adult Probation
Allegheny County Adult Probation and Parole is charged by the Court of Common Pleas with the responsibility of providing effective community-based alternatives to incarceration, improving public safety, partnering with community and law enforcement resources, and promoting positive behavioral change from supervised individuals.
24 Hour Emergency Number: 412-350-0400
Adult Probation has an emergency number that can be used to contact the office after normal business hours, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., Monday through Friday. This number is also available 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays. Routine matters will be addressed during normal business hours.
Pretrial Services
Pretrial Services is responsible for providing timely information to assist the court in making decisions regarding bond, competency, and treatment, and for promoting offender compliance with court orders and appearances.
Pretrial Services is comprised of the following units and programs:
| Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Unit | Designed to supervise first time, non-violent offenders. |
| Alcohol Highway Safety Program (AHSP) | The AHSP administers Court Reporting Network evaluations, Interlock Services, Prevention Services, and Alcohol Highway Safety School. |
| Bail Services | Bail Services is comprised of:
1. Bail Investigative Unit – conducts initial investigations at the Allegheny County Jail; |
| Behavior Assessment Unit | The primary function of this unit is to determine a defendant’s competency to participate in his/her legal defense. |
| Interlock Program | Ignition Interlock Services installs and monitors devices that are placed into motor vehicles, prohibiting individuals that are under the influence of alcohol from operating those vehicles. |
Summary Appeals
Summary appeals arise from summary criminal convictions and civil statutory matters. These cases involve violations of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code and matters relating to disorderly conduct, defiant trespass, obstructing traffic, harassment, retail theft, public drunkenness, and underage drinking. Appeals involving the Pittsburgh Parking Authority, dog licensing provisions, and truancy are also heard by the Summary Appeals branch.
Civil statutory cases include appeals from decisions by local and state administrative agencies and PennDOT driver license suspensions. Other appeals include, but are not limited to, legal issues arising from decisions by government agencies such as civil service, land use, zoning, the liquor control board, school boards, and the health department.