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Legal Resources for the Public: Introduction

The guide provides clear, practical information to help Allegheny County residents navigate the local court system.

 

Our Librarians Are Here To Help

 

The Allegheny County Law Library, within Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, is open to anyone looking for legal information and resources.

Our librarians can:

📝 Help you find the right court forms and filing instructions.

⚖️ Show you easy-to-read guides on Pennsylvania law.

🗂️ Walk you through searching court dockets and legal databases.

🤝 Connect you with legal aid organizations and community services.

🗺️ Answer questions about navigating the courts and using library tools.

📍Come visit us!
Allegheny County Law Library is located on the 9th floor of the City-County Building.
Access the library using the elevators on the Grant Street side of the building

414 Grant Street, #921
Pittsburgh, PA. 15219
Phone: 412-350-5353
Email: acll@carnegielibrary.org

Learn more about Allegheny County Law Library at our website.

 

Legal Resources for the Public:

 
A LibGuide from the Allegheny County Law Library & Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

This guide brings together resources to help Allegheny County residents understand the court system and locate reliable legal information. It is meant to serve as a starting point whether you are handling your own legal matter, supporting someone else, or simply looking to learn more about how the courts work. 

Discover the full collection of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's LibGuides here.

Note: This guide does not provide legal advice. It connects you with trustworthy resources to help you understand the law and how to get help. 

 

How To Use This LibGuide:

This LibGuide is organized into eight parts, with links available both in the menu above and in the overview below.

Pennsylvania & Allegheny County Courts: 

Overview of the local and state courts, with plain-language explanations of which court handles which types of cases.

Family Legal Matters: 

Explains common adult family legal matters in Allegheny County, including custody, divorce, marriage and Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders, with resources to help you understand the process. 

Everyday Civil Legal Matters: 

Information on people handling lawsuits between individuals, landlord-tenant issues, small claims, and other common disputes. 

Power of Attorney, Wills, Name Change and Guardianship: 

Guides and forms related to wills, estate matters, guardianship, and legal name changes.

Criminal Court:

Resources related to incarceration, reentry, and clearing records through expungement or limited access.

Finding Legal Information with ACLL Databases: 

A broad overview of the legal databases available through the Allegheny County Law Library & Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and tips on what each is most useful for. 

Legal Organizations in Allegheny County:

Directory of trusted groups that provide free or low-cost legal help in Allegheny County and across Pennsylvania. 

Representing Yourself in Court: 

Provides step-by-step information and resources to help you understand the process of representing yourself in Allegheny County courts.