Criminal court records in Lancaster County begin in a magisterial district court and can move to the Court of Common Pleas. The public docket shows charges, bail, pleas, and sentences, but not every document is posted. This page shows how to search by name or case number, how to read a disposition, and how to order a certified copy from the office that holds the file.
Key Details and Official Source
- Office: Lancaster County Courthouse
- Official website: https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/
- Before you file: confirm the current hours, fees, and identification requirements with the office.
Case Dispositions, Judgments & Sentencing
A docket entry tells you what happened, but the wording is often short. Look for the disposition line, the date of the order, and the judge who signed it. A plea, a dismissal, and a verdict each produce a different entry. Sentencing may follow weeks later, and a fine or a prison term appears in a separate order. Read the full docket before you describe the outcome to anyone.
The table below lists the entries that appear most often and the document that carries the final word.
| Disposition | What the docket shows | Where to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Dismissed or withdrawn | The charge ended without a conviction | Docket entry and Clerk of Courts |
| Guilty plea | A plea to a charge, often with a sentence | Plea form and sentencing order |
| Conviction after trial | A judge or jury found the person guilty | Verdict slip and sentencing order |
| Acquittal | A finding of not guilty | Verdict slip |
| Diversion program | A case closed after program completion | Clerk file and program letter |
A single case can produce several of these entries over time. A charge may be withdrawn and refiled, or a plea may be followed by a separate sentencing order. Read the docket from the first entry to the last instead of stopping at the first result. When two entries conflict, ask the Clerk of Courts which one controls and request a certified copy.
Final Case Dispositions (Dismissals, Pleas, Convictions & Acquittals)
A dismissal ends the case without a conviction, and the docket often names the reason. A plea of guilty or nolo contendere leads to a finding of guilt and a sentence. A trial can end in a conviction or an acquittal. Diversion programs may close a case after a set period. Ask the clerk for the order that records the disposition if the summary line is unclear.
Judgment Details, Fines & Court Costs
A judgment of sentence lists the term, the fine, the costs, and any restitution. Court costs cover filing, copying, and other fees set by statute. A payment plan may appear in a separate order. Unpaid balances can lead to a collections notice or a lien. Ask the clerk for a current payoff figure instead of relying on an old docket line, since interest and costs can change.
Probation, Incarceration & Sentencing Orders
A sentence may include probation, a county prison term, a state prison term, or a split term. The sentencing order states the length, the conditions, and the credit for time served. Probation offices supervise the terms and keep their own files. A parole decision comes from a separate board. Request the sentencing order from the Clerk of Courts and confirm the current supervision status with the probation office.
Obtaining Official Court Documents & Files
The public portal shows a summary, not the full case file. To get the complaint, the plea form, or the sentencing order, request a copy from the Clerk of Courts, and the lancaster county pa overview maps the county record offices. Give the docket number, the document title, and the date of the filing. Some documents require a judge's approval or a redaction check. Ask what the office needs before you mail a check or send a courier.
Requesting Certified Copies from the Clerk of Courts
A certified copy carries a seal and a signature that a court, an employer, or an agency will accept. Ask for certification when you request the document, since a plain copy may not serve your purpose. Provide the full case caption and the docket number. The clerk may ask you to complete a form and to state the reason for the request. Confirm the fee before the copy is made.
Copy Fees, In-Person Requests & Processing Times
Copy fees in Pennsylvania are set by rule, and the clerk can quote the current rate for a page or a document. A certified copy costs more than a plain one. Bring photo identification and the docket number when you visit the counter. Mail requests need a self-addressed envelope and a check. Processing can take from a few days to several weeks, so ask for a pickup date.
Criminal Court Records: Record Accuracy & Search Troubleshooting
A docket can carry a misspelled name, a wrong birth date, or a charge that was later changed. Clerks correct these entries when a party asks and provides proof, and the felony records page explains how a felony case moves. Bring a photo ID, the docket number, and a copy of the page that is wrong. The court may require a formal motion for some changes. Keep a copy of the corrected docket once it appears, since old printouts stay in circulation.
Verifying Defendant Identity & Matching Case Numbers
Names repeat, and a common surname can fill a result page. Match the full name, the birth year, and the docket number before you link two records. The complaint usually lists an address and a date of birth. A case number includes a year and a sequence, and the format can differ between courts. When a match is uncertain, ask the clerk to compare the criminal complaint with the docket.
Handling Recently Filed Cases & System Update Delays
A case filed this morning may not appear on the portal until the next business day. Staff must docket the complaint and scan the first pages, while the criminal records guide covers charges and final dispositions. A holiday can add another day. If a filing deadline is near, call the clerk instead of relying on the portal. Ask whether the case has been assigned a number and whether an emergency filing is possible. Keep the stamped receipt from the filing office.
What to Do If a Lancaster County Case Cannot Be Found
Check the spelling of the name and the year of the filing first. A case may sit in a magisterial district court instead of the Common Pleas docket. Try the docket number without dashes, then try the participant search. Some older files are not online at all. Call the Clerk of Courts with the defendant's full name and the approximate date, and ask for a manual index check.
Location and Contact Information
Criminal court records in Lancaster County are tied to the courthouse on North Duke Street in Lancaster. The Clerk of Courts and court administration each publish a phone line, and the two desks handle different questions. Filing hours can differ from public counter hours, so confirm the division before you travel. The state judicial portal is the online starting point, but it does not replace the file room.
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster County Courthouse (Clerk of Courts and Court Administration) | 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/ |
Call the Clerk of Courts for a docket question or a copy request. Call court administration for a courtroom assignment, a continuance, or a judge's schedule. Have the docket number ready, and ask for the extension of the person who helps you. The portal address above opens the statewide case search, so use the county filter to narrow a result list. Confirm any fee before you send payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Court records raise practical questions about cost, coverage, and corrections. The four answers below address the points readers ask about most often. Each one names the office that keeps the file and the step that resolves the issue. Fees and posting rules can change without much notice, so call the clerk before you mail a payment or travel to the courthouse. Bring a photo ID to any counter visit.
Are all Lancaster County criminal court records available online?
No. The unified judicial portal posts docket summaries for many cases, but the full file stays at the courthouse. Family, juvenile, sealed, and expunged matters are limited or closed. Some documents inside an open case are withheld too, such as a mental health report or a protective order detail. Use the portal to find the docket number, then ask the Clerk of Courts for the papers you need.
What is the difference between magisterial district court and Court of Common Pleas records in Lancaster County?
A magisterial district judge handles the first steps in a criminal case: the complaint, the preliminary hearing, and bail. Those files stay with the district court. A serious charge then moves to the Court of Common Pleas, where a judge takes pleas, holds trials, and imposes sentence. The two courts keep separate dockets, so a search may need both. Ask the clerk which court holds the record you want.
How do I obtain certified record copies for employment or legal purposes?
Ask the Clerk of Courts for a certified copy of the specific document, not the whole file. Give the docket number, the title of the paper, and the date it was filed. Bring photo identification if you go in person. The clerk will quote the current fee and tell you when the copy will be ready. For an employer, ask whether the agency needs a raised seal or a letter of verification.
Who do I contact if a criminal court record contains inaccurate information?
Call the Clerk of Courts first, since that office maintains the docket. State the docket number and the exact field that is wrong. A name or date error may need a corrected criminal complaint from the police or the district court. A charge error may need an order from the judge. Ask what proof the clerk will accept. Follow up in writing and keep a copy of the corrected docket.
