Collection of Fines and Costs

Violations

In addition to restitution, the Department of Court Records, Criminal Division collects fines and costs due Allegheny County for violations.

How Payments are Applied

Fine
If a defendant is required to pay a fine, and it is not paid in full, he or she is required to make timely payments. When restitution is required, once complete restitution has been made to the victim, subsequent payments will be credited to the defendant's fines and costs.

Restitution
By an Order of the Court, if a defendant is ordered to pay restitution, all payments will be credited toward restitution once the Commonwealth-mandated crime victim assessments are paid in full.

For further information, please call the Finance Section at 412-350-6153.

Restitution

Requirements

We collect restitution from defendants, who are required to make timely payments, and issue payments to the victims. If restitution is not paid in full or if there are inconsistent payments and/or a lack of payments it may be considered to be a probation violation.

Defendants who fail to stay current with their monthly payments can be brought back to court for a violation of his/her probation. Failure to make regular payments may also result in a case being sent to a collection company where an additional fee of up to 25% may be added.

Payments can be made to the Department of Court Records, Criminal Division by mail or in person at:

Department of Court Records, Criminal Division
114 Courthouse
436 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Defendant Information

Defendants are required to pay fines, costs, and restitution to the Department of Court Records, Criminal Division.

Unless ordered by the court or while serving jail time, all defendants are expected to make monthly payments toward their fines, costs, and restitution. Defendants are issued monthly coupons after the outcome of a case is decided.

Defendants should call the Finance Section at 412-350-6153 with any questions.

Victim Information

As a victim of a criminal case in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, you may be entitled to restitution.

Guidelines

When a defendant makes a payment to the Department of Court Records, Criminal Division, a restitution check will be issued within 10 business days after the payment is credited.

Unless ordered by the court, payments made on cases with multiple victims will be divided equally.

The Department of Court Records does not have the authority to change the original payees or amounts listed on a restitution order.

  • Any disputes over the amount of a restitution award should be settled before the Restitution Order is signed. Otherwise, you must petition the courts to amend the original order.

If the defendant is not making payments, call the Adult Probation Office at 412-350-2320, identify yourself as a victim on a case and provide them with the Docket Number.

  • You should be provided with the name and telephone number of the probation officer for the defendant. The Department of Court Records does not have this information. It is the probation officer’s responsibility to keep track of the defendant.

Notify the Department of Court Records, Criminal Division by mail if you move or if your address changes.

  • If our office is unable to locate a victim, restitution payments will be withheld and eventually escheated (see the Unclaimed Escheat Money page) to the Commonwealth.
  • To change an address, we require a copy of your photo ID along with a signed letter stating the Docket number, the old address and the new/current address.

Do not accept any restitution payments directly from the defendant

  • All payments must be made to the Department of Court Records, Criminal Division, so that all accounts can be properly credited.

For further information, please call 412-350-6076.

Order of Distribution

  • Crime Victim Compensation Fund (Act 96 of 1984)
  • Victim Witness Services (Act 111 of 1998)
  • Private Crime Victim Restitution
  • Insurance Company Restitution
  • Fines, Costs, & Fees

Forms of Payment

The following forms of payment are accepted

  • Money Orders/Cashier’s Check
  • Cash (please do not send cash in mail)

The following forms of payment will not be accepted

  • Personal Check
  • Debit Card
  • Credit Card

Payments with a credit/debit card can be made online at the UJS Web Portal.

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