Pennsylvania Court Records

Legal court documentation in Pennsylvania is captured within Pennsylvania court records. These documents traditionally contain details including case filings, rulings, and judgments, which are crucial for understanding specific legal proceedings in Pennsylvania.

The courts in Pennsylvania produce and maintain a comprehensive account of the proceedings for every criminal or civil court case. This information is typically considered public in Pennsylvania, hence it is accessible to anyone who wishes to review it.

The preservation of Pennsylvania court records is key to promoting transparency and accountability in the Pennsylvania justice system. Their availability is pivotal in comprehending legal proceedings and preserving judicial integrity in Pennsylvania.

PA Official Court Resources.

Philadelphia County
Allegheny County
Montgomery County
Bucks County
Delaware County
Lancaster County
Chester County
York County
Berks County
Lehigh County

Website:
pacourts.us/courts/

Administration:
Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts
Address: 1515 Market Street, Suite 1414, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Telephone: 717-231-3300
Fax: 717-795-2013

The Supreme Court and Appellate Courts:
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania represents the apex judiciary and the esteemed appellate tribunal in the state, inaugurated in 1684.
It possesses the authority to deliberate on any litigation involving an issue of urgent public importance using “King’s Bench” authority or “extraordinary jurisdiction.”
The Appellate Court tier includes the Commonwealth Court and the Superior Court.
The Commonwealth Court also serves as a tribunal when disputes involve the Commonwealth.
Review Supreme Court verdicts and dockets.
Research Appellate Decisions.

The Pennsylvania Court System:

Court Type: Common Pleas
– Configuration: 17 Courts in 9 Districts
– Mandate: Adjudicates felony, misdemeanor, civil, eviction, family matters
Court Type: Family Court (General Division of the Common Pleas)
– Mandate: Family-related legal issues
Court Type: Juvenile Court (General Division of the Common Pleas)
– Mandate: Juvenile legal issues
Court Type: Philadelphia Municipal
– Configuration: 1 Court
– Mandate: Felony, misdemeanor, civil over $10,000, eviction, small claims, summary offenses
Court Type: Pittsburgh Municipal
– Configuration: 1 Court
– Mandate: Felony, misdemeanor, civil, eviction, small claims, summary offenses
Court Type: Magisterial District
– Configuration: 513 Courts (Judges)
– Mandate: Civil under $12,000, eviction, dismissed misdemeanor, certain traffic, ordinance, summary offenses
Court Type: Register of Wills
– Configuration: 67
– Mandate: Probate

Online Access:
Available at https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/
Offers free access to search, view, and print the docket sheets for Appellate Courts, Criminal Courts of Common Pleas, Magisterial District Courts, and the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
Provides a Court Summary Information report for Criminal Courts of Common Pleas and Philadelphia Municipal Court cases.
Access to Court Calendars for Common Pleas and Magisterial District courts.

Are Records from Pennsylvania Court Proceedings Public?

Pennsylvania court records are commonly a part of the information that the public can inspect. However, some records and data in Pennsylvania cannot be shared as they are confidential, regulated either by a Pennsylvania law provision or court ruling.

While confidential documents are excluded, public court records are accessible to everyone, including news organizations, academic research projects, and the general public in Pennsylvania.

What's the Procedure for Accessing Pennsylvania Court Records?

To obtain PA court records, you can either go in person or use an online platform. Visit the courthouse where the proceedings took place in Pennsylvania to view these records. Seek assistance from the Pennsylvania court clerk to obtain the records. It may be required of you to provide either the case number or names of involved parties. Bear in mind, not all records kept by Pennsylvania state and county are online; in fact, more than 30% are unavailable.

Online databases, if provided by the respective Pennsylvania courts, offer access to court records. You can use this system to look up court records by providing details like case number or party name.

What Must Be Provided to Trace a Certain Pennsylvania Court Case?

Depending on whether the case is in federal, state, or local courts in Pennsylvania, specific information is required to identify a specific court case. It’s helpful to gather the following information:

Case Number: This easy technique helps find a Pennsylvania case quickly. Having the case number handy will speed up your search for case information.
Party Names: Knowing the individuals involved in the Pennsylvania case is critical. Most often, this is the only method to establish whether the case is linked to the individual involved.
Type of Court: The U.S. has a diverse range of courts, including those at the federal, state, county, and city levels in Pennsylvania.
Nature of the Case: Knowing the specific records you need is also important. These might be civil, criminal, traffic, or other types of cases in Pennsylvania.
Location: Determining the geographic area of the case filing significantly narrows the search scope in Pennsylvania.

If the court records aren’t online or if the Pennsylvania court lacks a website database, you’re left with the only other method: utilizing courthouse search terminals. These terminals, located within the Pennsylvania courthouse, provide direct access to case records and are celebrated for their accuracy.

You can use Pennsylvania court search terminals by visiting the court clerk during regular business hours or by contacting them via phone. Pennsylvania courthouses provide trained staff to assist the public with record research.

Is Accessing Court Records from Another State Possible from Pennsylvania?

Sometimes the only solution when needing records from another state or county and no online database is available is to engage with court record retrieving firms. Staff of these companies will be dispatched to different counties to obtain hard copies of unavailable court records online.

Civil vs. Criminal Court Records: What Separates Them?

Civil and criminal court records in Pennsylvania, in terms of intent and their respective court branches, are not the same.

Civil Court Records: Disputes between individuals or entities in Pennsylvania are generally dealt with in civil court cases. In most civil cases, the petitioner in Pennsylvania seeks compensation or a specific action from the opposing party. Legal proceedings can address multiple issues, including contract disagreements, personal injury claims, disputes over property, and family law issues like divorce and child custody in Pennsylvania.
Criminal Court Records: The process of the Pennsylvania government prosecuting an individual on suspicions of violating a criminal law is known as a criminal case. The potential results of criminal actions in Pennsylvania could mean prison time and the chance of maintaining a criminal record for the entirety of one’s life.

Are Federal Case Court Records Accessible in Pennsylvania?

The federal legal system encompasses a range of courts and agencies, each carrying separate jurisdiction and responsibilities, adding complexity. These bureaus include the United States Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, U.S. District Courts, and Specialized Federal Courts.

The evolution of online resources has facilitated the search for federal court records in Pennsylvania. Notable platforms include the Federal Judiciary’s website, PACER, various federal court websites, and uscourts.gov.

Are Criminal Court Records Accessible Online for Free in Pennsylvania?

Not every state or locality offers free online access to court records. Public record research assistance is available from trained staff at Pennsylvania courthouses. Most U.S. courts, about two-thirds, enable online access to judicial records.

Is There a Way to Confirm That Pennsylvania Criminal Court Records Belong to the Person I Am Looking Into?

To confirm the identity of the person in the Pennsylvania criminal court records, a thorough verification process must be conducted. This handbook will help you ascertain the accuracy of your identification.

Gather Precise Identification Metrics: These versions prioritize precision and accuracy in the detection of identifiers, with language that stays vibrant and engaging. Begin by finding out more about their background in Pennsylvania. Such details include their full legal name, birthdate, or any other assumed names that could prove valuable.
Rely on Verified Information: Ascertain the proper jurisdiction by examining where the person has resided or could have been involved in criminal activities in Pennsylvania.
Investigate Thorough Matches: If you come across records, align the detailed identifiers present with the knowledge you have. Ensure the details about location, physical attributes, and other personal data align to confirm the correct individual in Pennsylvania.
Cross-Reference Information: Try to validate the accuracy by consulting multiple sources. This entails scanning through various private and public databases.

What's the Significance of a Criminal Record Being Sealed or Expunged in Pennsylvania?

When an individual’s Pennsylvania criminal court record is sealed or expunged, it obscures any arrests or convictions, thus protecting their legal privacy.

Expungement removes the record entirely, as if the arrest or conviction never existed in official files in Pennsylvania. While sealing a record renders it invisible to the public, specified government entities, especially law enforcement, maintain access in Pennsylvania.

Even though these phrases are often swapped, they entail different legal implications in Pennsylvania.