A felony record in Lancaster County starts with a criminal case in the Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Courts keeps the docket, and the state portal carries many entries. A docket shows charges, pleas, and sentences, but not every paper. This page describes the file, the outcome terms, the sentencing details, and the steps to request a certified copy. Bring the case number. Ask for the docket number at the counter.
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.
Felony Case Records
A felony file can hold a criminal complaint, an information, a bill of indictment, and each order that follows. The Clerk of Courts keeps the official docket for the Court of Common Pleas. Some early papers stay with the magisterial district court that held the preliminary hearing. Read the docket from the first entry forward. Ask which court holds each paper before you request it. Keep the docket number.
Indictments and Charging Documents
A criminal complaint starts a case, and an information or an indictment states the charges the court will hear. The document lists the offense, the grade, the date, and the section of law. A charge can be added or dropped before trial. Ask for the most recent charging paper. Read the grading, since a felony grade affects the sentence range and the court that hears the case. Ask for the filing date.
Court Filings
Every paper filed in a case gets a docket entry. Filings include the complaint, bail documents, pretrial notices, and plea papers. The docket lists the date and the party who filed each one. A filing may be sealed, and the entry may then show only a note. Ask the clerk for the page count and the copy fee. Bring the case number with you. Ask which entries are public.
Motions and Responses
A motion asks the judge to rule on one issue, such as bail, evidence, or a continuance. The other side may file a response, and the judge may hold a hearing. The docket shows the motion, the response, and the order. A motion can change a trial date or a sentence term. Ask for the order that decided the motion, since the filing alone does not show the result.
Hearing Records
A hearing record may be a transcript, an audio file, or a short docket note. A transcript costs more and can take weeks to prepare. The docket lists the hearing date, the judge, and the courtroom. Ask whether a court reporter was present and how to order a transcript. A summary note is not a full record of what was said. Ask for the transcript order form. Confirm the cost first.
Court Orders
An order is the judge's written direction in a case. It can set bail, change a condition, accept a plea, or impose a sentence. Each order has a date and a signature. The newest order controls when two orders conflict. Request a certified copy of the order you need from the clerk. Read the whole order, since a single line can carry a key term. Ask which order is active.
Judgment and Sentencing Records
A sentencing record states the term, the fine, the costs, and any condition the judge set. In Pennsylvania, the sentencing order and the docket entry work together. A judgment may cover restitution or a payment plan. Ask for the sentencing order, not just the docket line. The record can change after a post-sentence motion or an appeal. Ask whether a later order changed the term. Keep the certified copy.
Felony Case Outcomes
A felony case can end in several ways. A conviction follows a plea or a trial verdict. An acquittal means the judge or jury found the person not guilty. A dismissal ends the case before a verdict. A deferred disposition may close the case after a program. Each outcome carries a different record trail, so read the docket entry that ends the case. Ask for the closing entry.
The table lists the common outcomes and the docket words that usually mark each one. Use it to read a docket line with more care.
| Outcome | Typical docket wording | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Conviction | Guilty plea or guilty verdict | Case ends with a sentence |
| Acquittal | Not guilty | Charge does not carry a sentence |
| Dismissal | Nolle prosequi or dismissed | Case ends before a verdict |
| Deferred program | Continued for program | Case may close after completion |
| Probation | Probation imposed | Supervision follows the sentence |
A short docket phrase can hide a long process. A nolle prosequi may allow a refiling within the limit. A deferred program may end with an expungement, but the record can remain. Ask the clerk what the entry means for your purpose. Ask for the order behind the phrase. Keep both the docket page and the order.
Convictions
A conviction follows a guilty plea or a guilty verdict. The docket shows the charge, the grade, the plea date, and the sentence. A conviction can affect a job, a license, or a firearm right. Ask for the sentencing order and the docket entry together. A later appeal can change the sentence, and a post-conviction petition can reopen the case. Read the newest entry first. Ask for the plea date.
Acquittals
An acquittal means the court found the person not guilty. The docket may show a not guilty verdict after a trial or a not guilty finding by a judge, and the criminal records page covers charges and final dispositions. An acquittal does not always erase the arrest record, and a separate expungement may be needed. Ask for the order that records the verdict. Ask whether the case can be expunged under state law. Keep the certified copy. Ask which office files the motion.
Dismissals
A dismissal ends a case before a verdict. The docket may cite a nolle prosequi, a failure to prosecute, or a defect in the charging paper. A dismissal can allow a refiling if the time limit has not run. Ask for the order and the reason. Ask whether the charge can be refiled. A dismissed case may still appear on a background check until it is expunged. Ask for the docket entry.
Plea-Based Outcomes
Most felony cases end with a plea. A plea bargain may reduce a charge, drop a count, or recommend a sentence. The plea colloquy records what the judge asked and what the defendant said. Ask for the plea agreement and the sentencing order. A plea can limit an appeal, so read the rights that were waived. Ask the clerk for the full plea packet. Ask for the plea date.
Deferred Dispositions
A deferred disposition puts a case on hold during a program term. The court may dismiss the charge after completion, or it may enter a conviction. The docket shows the program term and each review date. Ask what happens to the record when the program ends. Ask whether the case can be expunged. Keep every progress report you receive. Ask for the program agreement. Bring the case number.
Probation Outcomes
A probation sentence places a person under county or state supervision for a set term. The docket shows the term, the conditions, and any reviews. A violation can lead to a hearing and a new sentence. Ask the probation office which unit supervises the case. Ask for the sentence order and the condition list. A completed term may end supervision, but the conviction stays on the record. Ask for the discharge date.
Felony Sentencing Information
A sentence can include prison time, probation, fines, costs, restitution, and special conditions. The sentencing order lists each part, and the docket shows the date. A county sentence and a state sentence follow different rules. Ask which system holds the person and which office collects the money. Ask for the order that sets each term, since a later order can change one part. Ask for a certified copy.
Incarceration Sentences
A prison term states a minimum and a maximum, and the two dates control release. A county term of less than two years is usually served at the county prison. A longer term goes to a state correctional institution. Ask the clerk which system has the case. Ask the prison for the current release date. A good time credit or a program can change the date. Ask for the commitment order.
Community Supervision
Community supervision covers probation, parole, and intermediate punishment. Each program has its own reporting rules and its own term. The docket shows the sentence, and the supervising office keeps the case plan. Ask which office runs the program and who the agent is. Ask what a violation would mean for the term. A transfer to another county needs approval. Ask for the agent's name in writing. Keep the contact sheet.
Fines and Court Costs
A sentence can impose a fine, court costs, and a monthly payment plan. The clerk or the county collections office tracks the balance. A late payment can lead to a hearing. Ask for a statement that lists each charge and each payment. Ask which office takes the payment and which reference number to use. Keep every receipt, since a balance can be posted late. Ask for the payoff figure.
Restitution Orders
Restitution repays a victim for a loss. The order names the amount, the payee, and the schedule. The probation office or the clerk may collect the money. Ask for the order that sets the amount, since a later order can change it. Ask where the payment goes and how it is credited. Keep the receipt and the case number for each payment. Ask for a payment statement. File it with the order.
Other Sentencing Conditions
A judge can add conditions such as treatment, a no-contact order, a firearm surrender, or a driving suspension. The order lists each condition and the date it starts. A condition can change after a review hearing. Ask for the current order and any amendment. Ask which office enforces each term. A missed condition can lead to a violation hearing. Ask for the amended page. Keep a copy in your file.
Copy Fees and Processing Times
Copy fees are set per page, and a certified copy can cost more than a plain one. The Clerk of Courts can quote the fee for the pages you need. A search fee may apply when you do not have a case number. A mail request can take two weeks or more. Ask for the fee and the wait in one call, then send the payment. Ask for a receipt number.
Felony Record Accuracy and Availability
A felony record can carry an old address, a wrong birth date, or a misspelled name. The court corrects its own docket when a party shows proof. A state police record and a court record are separate, and each needs its own fix. Ask which office holds the error you found. Ask for the correction in writing. Keep the old copy until the new one arrives. Ask for a corrected copy.
Confirming the Correct Defendant
Match the defendant on the full name, the birth date, and the case number. A common name can produce several results, and a middle initial can separate them. The docket may list an alias or a maiden name. Read the charge and the offense date against the case you seek. Ask the clerk to confirm the identity before you order a certified copy. Ask for the docket number.
Matching the Case Number
A case number has a court prefix, a year, and a sequence. Write each part exactly, since one wrong digit can point to another person, and the criminal court records page covers felony and misdemeanor filings. A criminal case number differs from a docket number in some systems. Ask the clerk which format the court uses. Read the number from the receipt, not from memory. Ask for the case caption to confirm the match. Ask for a written confirmation.
Verifying the Court
Lancaster County has a Court of Common Pleas and several magisterial district courts. A felony charge may start in a district court and move to the Common Pleas for trial. An appeal goes to the Superior Court. Ask which court entered the order you need. Ask for the court term and the judge's name. A request sent to the wrong court can lose weeks. Ask for the term number.
Recently Filed Cases
A new felony case may take a day or more to show on the public docket. Staff must index the complaint and assign the case number. A case filed late on a Friday may not appear until Monday or later. Ask the clerk whether the paper has reached the docket. Ask for the receipt date and the case number. Check again before you pay for a search. Ask for a status note.
Delayed Record Updates
A docket can lag behind the paper file. A plea, an order, or a sentence may be signed in court and entered later. A holiday or a staffing gap can add days. Ask the clerk when the entry was last updated. Ask whether a paper entry is waiting to be keyed. Keep the date of each call and the name of the person who helped. Ask for the update date.
Missing Documents
A docket entry can name a paper that is not in the public file. The paper may be sealed, lost, or held by another court. Ask the clerk to check the internal file and the archive. Ask for a written note that states what is missing. A missing paper does not always mean the case is incomplete. Ask for the order that rules on the document. Ask where it was sent.
Records Held by Another Court
A felony case can move between courts. A district court holds the preliminary papers, the Common Pleas holds the trial file, and an appellate court holds the appeal. Ask which court has the record you need. Ask for the transfer date and the new docket number. A request to the wrong office may be returned without a copy. Send the request to the court named on the last order.
Felony Records Search Problems
Most failed searches come from a small error. A nickname, a maiden name, or a wrong year can hide a case. So can a charge that was later reduced. A record may sit with another court or in a closed file. Work through one cause at a time. Ask the clerk to confirm each detail before you send a new request and a new fee. Ask for a written reply.
No Record Found
When a search returns nothing, check the spelling and the court first. Try the case number, the year, and the charge in separate searches. A felony case may be filed under a different county if the crime happened elsewhere. Ask the clerk to search the internal index. Ask whether a district court holds an early paper. Keep the reply with the date. Ask for a written result. Note the search terms.
Incorrect Defendant Name
A name can be misspelled in a charging paper, and the error can follow the docket. Give the clerk the spelling on the ID and the spelling in the court file, and the arrest records page covers arrest and booking details. Ask which one the docket uses. A correction may need a motion and a judge's order. Do not file a new case under a new spelling, since that can create a duplicate. Ask for the fix in writing.
Incorrect Case Number
One wrong digit can pull up a different person or no case at all. Read the number from the receipt or the docket, and compare each part. A prefix may show the court, and a year code may show the filing term. Ask the clerk to read the number back. If the case belongs to another person, stop and ask for a name search. Keep the wrong result. Ask which case is yours.
Wrong Court or County
A felony case is heard where the crime occurred. A case from another county stays with that county's clerk. A federal charge goes to a federal district court. Ask which court has the case before you order a copy. Ask for the transfer date if the case moved. A county clerk cannot pull a file from another county or from a federal court. Ask for the new docket number.
Missing Case Documents
A docket may list a document that the public file lacks. The paper may be sealed, stored off site, or attached to a different case. Ask the clerk to check the archive and the microfilm. Ask for a written note that names the missing paper. A copy of the docket can still help, since it shows what was filed. Ask whether a judge must release the paper. Ask for the archive date.
Restricted Record
A court can seal a file, limit a document, or restrict a name. Sealed records may be released only by a judge's order. An expunged record may be destroyed or kept in a closed file. Ask the clerk which rule applies and who can ask for the record. Ask what a court order must say. Do not assume that a sealed file is gone forever. Ask for the order number.
Delayed Case Information
A new entry can take hours or days to reach the public docket. A hearing held late in the day may not be keyed until the next morning. A weekend can push the work to Monday. Ask the clerk when the docket was last updated. Ask whether a paper entry is waiting. Check again before you rely on an old printout or a news report. Ask for the update time.
Location and Contact Information
The Clerk of Courts works from the Lancaster County Courthouse at 50 North Duke Street in Lancaster. The contact block lists (717) 299-8275 for the clerk and (717) 299-8041 for court administration. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though a division may differ. Call before you visit. Courthouse parking is tight on court days. Take the case number and a photo ID with you.
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts, Lancaster County | Lancaster County Courthouse, 50 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 | (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/ |
The table repeats the county contact block and adds the court administration line. The block lists a state court portal, not a county felony search page. Use the portal for a docket summary, then call the clerk for a certified copy. Ask which division holds the file. Confirm the fee before sending a payment. Note the clerk's name and the date of the call. Keep the docket number handy.
Lancaster County PA Felony Records FAQs
These answers cover the questions that arrive most often at the Clerk of Courts counter. Each one points to the office that holds the file and the step that confirms a detail. Fees and hours can change, so call before you mail a payment. A felony record is a court record, not a full criminal history. Use these answers as a first step, then check the docket. Ask for the case number first.
How Do I Search Lancaster County PA Felony Records?
Start at Pennsylvania's unified judicial portal and search the Court of Common Pleas by case number or by name. Add the county and the filing year to narrow a common name. Open the docket and read the charges, the plea, and the sentence. The portal shows a summary, not every paper. Call the Clerk of Courts to confirm a detail and to order a copy. Ask which court holds the original file.
What Information Can a Felony Record Show?
A felony record can show the charges, the grade, the offense date, the arresting agency, the plea, and the sentence. It may list bail, a failure to appear, a probation term, and a restitution order. It does not show an arrest that never led to a case in that court. Ask the clerk which parts are public. A sealed paper may be missing from the copy. Ask for the docket page too.
Are Lancaster County PA Felony Records Public?
Most felony dockets are public, and the state portal usually carries many of them. Some papers are sealed, including juvenile matters, protected witness data, and records covered by a court order. An expunged case may not appear at all. The clerk can identify which parts of a file are open to you. Request a written reason when a request is denied. Ask which office holds a sealed file.
How Can I Obtain a Copy of a Felony Record?
Send a written request to the Clerk of Courts with the case number, the party names, and the papers you need. Ask for a certified copy if a court or an agency requires one. Include a phone number and a check for the fee if the office accepts one. Ask for the page count and the wait first. Store the receipt and the copy together. Ask for a receipt number.
Why Can't I Find a Lancaster County PA Felony Record?
The case may sit in another county, a district court, or a federal court. The name may be spelled in a way you did not try, or the case may be sealed. A charge can be reduced to a misdemeanor, which moves it out of a felony list. Call the Clerk of Courts and give the date and the charge. Ask for an internal search. Ask which court has it now.
