A court calendar tells you when a case will be heard and where to go. Lancaster County lists hearings for the Court of Common Pleas and for the magisterial district courts, and each court keeps its own schedule. A date can move after a continuance, and a remote hearing uses a link that is not always public. This page shows how to read a calendar and confirm the entry.
Court Calendar Search
- Office: Lancaster County Courthouse
- Official website: https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/
- Before you file: confirm the current hours, fees, and identification requirements with the office.
A calendar entry holds more than a date. The table below shows the fields that matter and where each one comes from.
| Calendar field | What it tells you | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Case number | Ties the listing to one file | Docket summary |
| Hearing date and time | When the session starts | Court calendar |
| Courtroom | Which room and floor | Session line |
| Hearing type | What stage the case reached | Docket entry |
| Presiding judge | Who will hear the matter | Session line |
| Status code | Whether the case is continued or ready | Docket entry |
| Filing deadline | What must be filed before the date | Court order |
Read the whole line, not just the time. A session may start at nine in the morning and run until noon, and a case can be called in any order. A short docket check the day before saves a trip to an empty room.
Court Schedule Information
A schedule lists the cases set for a session, the courtroom, and the judge. The list may be posted by day, by week, or by judge. Some courts publish a call list the evening before. A calendar is a plan, not a promise, since a judge can change the order of cases. Read the whole entry rather than the first line, since a footnote can change the room.
Hearing Time & Courtroom Location
The time on the calendar is a start time for the session, not a promise that your case will be called at that minute. Arrive early and allow time for security screening. The courtroom number and the floor appear beside the case. Ask the court officer which door to use. If two rooms share a name, confirm the floor and the wing before the hearing starts.
Case Number & Listed Parties
Match the case number exactly, including the year and the court prefix. The caption names the parties, and a common surname can put two cases on the same list. Check the middle initial and the party role. A criminal case lists the Commonwealth against the defendant, and a civil case lists the plaintiff first. Bring the docket entry with you. A wrong case number can send you to the wrong room.
Hearing Type & Presiding Judge
The hearing type tells you what stage the case has reached. An arraignment, a pretrial conference, a motion argument, and a trial each need different preparation. The judge's name appears on the session line. A visiting judge may cover the list. Ask the clerk which judge will hear the matter before you file a paper for a specific courtroom. A short call to the clerk can settle the point.
Calendar Status Codes
Many calendars use short codes beside a case, such as a continuance, a plea, or a status conference. The code is a shorthand for the court, and the docket entry carries the full meaning. Ask the clerk to read the entry when a code is unclear. Do not treat a code as a result. A case marked for a status check may still need your appearance.
Types of Court Hearings
Court sessions differ by the kind of case and by the stage of the dispute. A criminal list moves through arraignment, pretrial, plea, and sentence. A civil list covers motions, case management, and trial. A family list covers support, custody, and protection matters. Read the hearing type on the calendar, then ask the clerk what the judge expects that day. The notice you received names the type in most cases.
Civil, Criminal & Family Dockets
The civil docket covers contracts, debts, injury claims, and property disputes. The criminal docket covers charges filed by the Commonwealth, while the case search guide shows how to search by case number. The family docket covers divorce, support, custody, and protection orders. Each docket follows its own rules on notice and on public viewing. Some family files are confidential, and the calendar may show only a case number and a room. Ask the clerk which docket holds your case before you search.
Arraignments & Pretrial Hearings
An arraignment reads the charges and sets bail or release conditions. A preliminary arraignment can happen soon after an arrest, and a formal arraignment follows in the Court of Common Pleas. A pretrial hearing covers motions, evidence, and a possible plea. Bring the complaint number and any bail paper. Ask the clerk whether the defendant must attend or whether a lawyer can stand in for the defendant.
Motions, Trials & Sentencings
A motion hearing asks the judge to decide a legal question before trial. A trial can last an hour or a week, and the calendar may block several days. A sentencing hearing follows a plea or a verdict, and it can include testimony from victims and families. Read the notice for the time allotted. Ask the clerk what documents the judge wants before the date.
Schedule Changes & Remote Hearings
A hearing can move for many reasons: a lawyer's conflict, a missing report, a witness who cannot travel, or a judge's assignment. The court sends a notice, and the docket shows the new date. A remote hearing uses a video or phone link, and the room may be closed to the public. Check the docket and call the chambers if no notice arrives before the date.
Rescheduled & Continued Hearings
A continuance pushes a hearing to a later date, and a rescheduling can change the courtroom as well. The docket shows both the old and the new entry. Read the reason code and the new date, then confirm the room. A party who asks for a continuance may need to file a motion. Keep the written notice with your case papers. A new date is not final until the docket shows it.
In-Person Attendance Rules
Courthouse security screens every visitor. Leave tools, weapons, and large bags at home, and bring a photo ID. Some courtrooms restrict phones and cameras, and a deputy may ask you to step out during testimony. A victim or a family member can ask the clerk about a separate waiting area. Arrive early enough to clear security and find the room. A short wait is common on a busy list day.
Virtual Hearing Links
A remote hearing link usually comes with the court notice, and it is often unique to the case. Do not share the link or post it in public. Test the camera and the microphone before the session. A judge may require a quiet room and a full view of the person speaking. If the link fails, call the clerk right away and ask for a phone number.
Schedule Accuracy & Resolution
A calendar can lag a court order by hours or days. A case stricken from the list may still appear on a printed copy, and a new date may not reach a public page, and the court records page explains how to request a copy of the docket. Check the docket the day before and again on the morning of the hearing. Ask the clerk to read the current entry. Keep a dated printout if a schedule dispute arises later.
Calendar Update Delays
The clerk enters a change after the judge signs an order, and a public page refreshes on its own cycle. A Friday change may not appear until Monday. A holiday weekend can add another day. Ask the clerk when the entry was last revised. A phone call to the courtroom deputy can confirm whether the list is current, and it can save a wasted trip.
Confidential & Sealed Hearings
Some hearings are closed. Juvenile matters, protection order cases, and files sealed by a judge may not appear on a public calendar. The docket can show a case number without a room or a time. Ask the clerk how a party receives notice. Do not assume that a missing entry means the hearing was cancelled. A sealed case still moves forward on its own schedule.
Missing Schedule Resolution
If a case does not appear, check the spelling of the name and the year of the case. The matter may sit in a magisterial district court or in another county. Ask the clerk to search by the docket number and the incident date. A case that was transferred will have a new number. Request a written confirmation of the next date before you travel.
Location and Contact Information
Lancaster County Courthouse stands at 50 N. Duke Street in downtown Lancaster, close to the prison and the government center. The Clerk of Courts handles filings and docket questions, and Court Administration answers questions about rooms and schedules. Hours run on weekdays, and each division sets its own filing window and counter hours. Call before you visit, and bring the case number and a photo ID.
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster County Courthouse | 50 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Clerk of Courts: (717) 299-8275; Court Administration: (717) 299-8041 | Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (confirm division and filing hours) | https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/ |
Use the statewide portal for a docket check and the county number for a room or a schedule question. A clerk can read an entry but cannot give legal advice. Ask for the division, the name of the person who helped, and the time of the call. If a hearing is close, call the courtroom deputy as well. Keep the case number on every message.
Frequently Asked Questions
Readers ask about hearing dates, room numbers, and last-minute changes. The answers below describe where a schedule comes from, how to confirm a date, and who to call when a listing looks wrong. A calendar can change after it is posted, so treat a printout as a starting point. Call the court before you travel. A short call can settle a room number or a new date before you leave home.
When are daily court schedules updated?
A daily list usually goes up the evening before a session, and some courts refresh it again on the morning of the hearing. A change made after the list is posted may appear only on the docket. Call the clerk or the courtroom deputy when a case is close. Treat a printed list as a snapshot and confirm the entry again on the day you appear in court.
How do I verify a rescheduled court date?
Open the docket and read the most recent entry, which should show the new date and the reason for the change. Compare the courtroom and the time with the notice you received. Call the clerk if the docket and the notice disagree. Ask for a copy of the order that moved the date. Keep that copy with your case papers. A written notice from the court is the best proof to carry.
Are virtual hearings open to the public?
Many remote hearings use a link that is limited to the parties, the lawyers, and the witnesses, so the public cannot join. A judge may close a session to protect a witness or a confidential matter. Ask the clerk whether a hearing is open and whether a public line exists. A closed session still produces a docket entry that the public can normally read after the hearing ends.
Who confirms unlisted court appearances?
The Clerk of Courts confirms a docket entry, and Court Administration confirms a room or a session change. Start with the clerk, then call administration if the date or the room is missing. A magisterial district court handles its own list for a preliminary matter. Write down the name of the person who confirms the date and the time of the call. Ask for the extension or the desk that owns the calendar.
