A DUI case in Lancaster County leaves papers in more than one place. The police department holds the arrest report, the Clerk of Courts holds the criminal docket, and PennDOT holds the driver record. Each file tells a different part of the story. This page describes how to find those records, what the court log shows, and which entries the public may not see.
DUI Record 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.
Case Proceedings, Penalties & Licensing
A DUI case moves through a set list of stages, and the docket records each one. A preliminary hearing sends the matter to the Court of Common Pleas when a judge finds enough evidence. An arraignment follows, then a plea or a trial. A sentence can include a fine, probation, a short jail term, and a license action. Read the whole docket, not just the first page.
| Stage | What the docket shows |
|---|---|
| Arrest | Date, arresting agency, and the charge filed |
| Preliminary hearing | Waiver, bind over, or dismissal |
| Arraignment | Formal charges and the plea entered |
| Trial or plea | Finding, plea terms, and the judge |
| Sentencing | Fine, probation, jail time, and license terms |
Not every case reaches every stage, and a charge can change as the case moves. A first offense with a high blood alcohol reading follows a different path from a second offense or a crash case. Use the stage list to read the docket in order, then ask the clerk which papers in the file are open to the public.
Arrest Logs, Offense Charges & Court Orders
The arrest report comes from the police department that made the stop. It lists the time, the location, the officer, and the observed signs. The court order comes from a judge and can impose bail, a no-contact term, or a license condition. The two papers use different charge codes. Compare the statutory citation on each one. Ask the agency for the report number before you request a copy.
Pleas, Trials, Convictions & Dismissals
A plea entry names the offense the person admitted and the terms of the deal. A trial ends with a finding of guilt or acquittal, and the docket states which. A dismissal can follow a suppression ruling or a missing witness. A conviction may later be expunged or sealed under state rules. Read the disposition line, then ask the clerk whether a later order changed it.
Fines, Probation & Deferred Dispositions
A sentence can combine a fine, court costs, probation, and a short county term. A deferred disposition may hold a plea in abeyance as the person completes a program. Completion can lead to a dismissal. A missed requirement can restore the original charge. The docket shows the order that set the terms. Ask the clerk for the sentencing sheet and any later order that closed the case.
Suspension, Revocation & Ignition Interlock Orders
Pennsylvania treats a DUI as both a court matter and a licensing matter. PennDOT can suspend or revoke a license after a conviction, a refusal, or a high test result. An ignition interlock order may follow for a set period. The court sends notice to the state, and the driver record shows the action. Ask PennDOT for the driver record and keep it apart from the docket.
DUI Records: Public Availability & Official Copies
Most DUI dockets are public, and the Clerk of Courts can sell copies of the papers in the file. Some records stay out of reach, such as a sealed file, a juvenile matter, and a record that a judge has expunged. A police report may be withheld when an investigation is open. Ask the office that holds the paper, and ask which exemption it cites when a request is denied.
Court & Law Enforcement Directory Logs
The Clerk of Courts keeps the criminal index for the Court of Common Pleas. Magisterial district courts keep their own dockets for the early stages, and the criminal records page covers charges and final dispositions. A police department keeps the incident and arrest reports. Each office has a separate request form and fee. Start with the court that handled the case, then ask which agency supplied the arrest report. Keep a log of each call.
Sealed, Expunged & Confidential Exclusions
A sealed record is closed to the public by a court order. An expunged record is destroyed or removed from the public index after a petition is granted. A juvenile file stays outside the adult system in most cases. A record that involves a protected witness may be restricted too. Ask the Clerk of Courts whether a case was sealed or expunged before you treat a missing file as an error.
Online & Clerk of Courts Requests
The state judicial portal shows docket summaries for many cases. A summary can confirm a charge and a next court date, but it may not include every order. For a full file or a certified paper, send a request to the Clerk of Courts. Include the docket number, the party names, and the date. A counter visit is faster when the file sits in the building.
Certified Copies, Fees & Fulfillment Timelines
A certified copy carries a court seal and a clerk's signature. Fees follow a county schedule and can be charged per page, while the court records guide explains how to request a copy of the docket. A same-day copy is often possible at the counter when the file is on site. A mailed request may take a week or more. Ask for the fee before you send a payment, and ask whether the office can mail a receipt with the copy.
DUI Records: Record Accuracy & Resolution
A DUI record can hold a nickname, a former address, and a charge code that changed after a plea. Compare the docket number, the arrest date, and the birth date before you accept a match. A common surname can return many results. If a record looks wrong, ask the Clerk of Courts for the entry that supports it. A written correction request is easier to track than a phone call.
Matching Person Names & Case Numbers
The docket uses the name on the charging paper, and that spelling may differ from a license. Match on the case number first, then on the birth date and the offense date. A middle name can separate two people with the same first and last name. Bring every version of the name you have used. Ask the clerk to check the alias field before you conclude that no file exists.
System Delays Between Police & Courts
A police report and a court docket are separate records that update on their own schedules. The arrest may appear in a blotter within a day, yet the docket can take longer to show the charge. A lab report can hold a case for weeks. Check both sources, and note the date you looked. A missing entry at one office does not mean the case was dropped.
Unlisted DUI File Resolution
When a search fails, check the county and the court level. A summary traffic charge may sit in a magisterial district court, not in the Common Pleas index, and the traffic court records page explains citations, fines, and points. The offense may be listed under a different code, such as a refusal or a related traffic count. Give the clerk the arrest date and the agency. Ask for a search of the internal index, and request the result in writing.
Location and Contact Information
The Clerk of Courts works from the Lancaster County Courthouse at 50 N. Duke Street. Court Administration shares the building, so a caller can reach either office through the main number. Weekday hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and a filing division may keep a different window. Call before you travel to confirm the office and the counter hours.
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster County Clerk of Courts | Lancaster County Courthouse, 50 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 | (717) 299-8275 | Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (confirm division and filing hours) | https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/ |
| Court Administration | Lancaster County Courthouse, 50 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 | (717) 299-8041 | Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (confirm division and filing hours) | https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/ |
Bring the docket number and a photo ID to the counter. A clerk can show you the docket, quote the copy fee, and tell you whether a certified copy is ready the same day. Ask which entrance serves the public and what items the security check bans. A mailed request needs a stamped envelope and a daytime phone number.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers cover the questions readers ask most about DUI records in Lancaster County. Each reply names the office that keeps the file and the step that confirms it. Court rules, fees, and license actions can change, so check with the Clerk of Courts or PennDOT before you rely on a paper. A short call to the clerk can settle a question about a case number or a filing date.
Are DUI arrest and conviction records public in Lancaster County?
Most DUI court dockets are open, and the Clerk of Courts can provide copies of filed papers. A police arrest report may be released by the department that made the stop, subject to its rules. A sealed, expunged, or juvenile record stays closed. Ask each office which documents it will release and which exemption applies. A court summary alone may not show every order or attachment in the file.
What information appears on an official DUI court log?
A court log lists the docket number, the parties, the charges, the filing date, and each court event. It shows the judge, the plea, the finding, and the sentence. A sentence line can include a fine, costs, probation, and a license term. The log does not show the police narrative or the lab report. Ask the clerk for those papers when you need to see the full record.
How do administrative driver license actions affect public records?
PennDOT handles license actions on its own track. A suspension, a revocation, or an ignition interlock requirement can appear on the driver record even when the court case ends in a dismissal. The court reports the outcome to the state, and the state applies its rules. A court docket will not show every license step. Ask PennDOT for the driver record to see the current status and each action date.
Who confirms missing or unlisted DUI case entries?
The Clerk of Courts can check the Common Pleas index, and a magisterial district court can check its own docket. Give the full name, the arrest date, and the agency that made the stop. A case may sit under a different charge code or in another county. Ask for a written search result, and keep it with your papers in case a later request or appeal needs it.
