Allentown Pennsylvania Criminal Court Records
Allentown criminal court records are maintained through the Lehigh County Court system, which serves the 31st Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Allentown is the county seat of Lehigh County and the third-largest city in Pennsylvania with approximately 125,000 residents. Because it is the county seat, the main courthouse for criminal proceedings is located right in Allentown at 455 W. Hamilton Street. Both the Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records and the Court of Common Pleas Criminal Division operate from that address. This guide covers where to find Allentown criminal court records, how to search cases online, and what other resources are available.
Allentown Quick Facts
Where to Access Allentown Criminal Court Records
The Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records, Criminal Division, is the official keeper of Allentown criminal court records. The office is in Room 122 of the Lehigh County Courthouse at 455 W. Hamilton Street in downtown Allentown. This is where case files are maintained, filings are processed, and certified copies can be obtained. The general phone line connects to the courthouse main desk, and a direct criminal filing line is also available.
| Office | Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records (Criminal Division) |
|---|---|
| Address | 455 W. Hamilton Street, Room 122 Allentown, PA 18101 |
| General Phone | (610) 782-3000 |
| Criminal Filing | (610) 782-3077 |
| Scheduling | (610) 782-3014 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | lccpa.org |
The Lehigh County Courthouse also houses the Court of Common Pleas Criminal Division. Felony and misdemeanor cases from Allentown are heard there. Electronic filing for many case types is handled through PACFile, Pennsylvania's statewide electronic filing system. In-person filings and records requests are accepted at Room 122 during business hours.
Note: Allentown is the county seat, so the Lehigh County Courthouse is physically within the city. Residents do not need to travel elsewhere to access criminal court records for cases originating in Allentown.
Searching Allentown Criminal Court Cases Online
Two online tools give free access to Allentown criminal court records. The Lehigh County Courts website provides information on the court system and access points. The statewide UJS Portal provides direct docket searches for individual cases.
The Lehigh County Courts website at lccpa.org provides information on court offices, procedures, and resources for Allentown and all of Lehigh County.
The statewide UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us covers Allentown criminal court cases at both the Magisterial District Judge level and the Court of Common Pleas level. You can search by defendant name, case number, or OTN (Offense Tracking Number). Search results show docket entries, charges, filing dates, dispositions, and sentencing information. The UJS Portal is maintained by the Pennsylvania Administrative Office of Courts and is free to use without any account or login.
Use the Pennsylvania UJS Portal to search Allentown criminal court dockets by name, case number, or offense tracking number at no charge.
Multiple Magisterial District Judge courts serve the various wards of Allentown. MDJ cases show up in the UJS Portal under the MDJS (Magisterial District Judge System) case type. For questions about which MDJ court handles a specific Allentown address, contact the Lehigh County Court Administrator's office at the main courthouse phone number.
Allentown Criminal Court Records: What They Contain
Criminal proceedings in Allentown produce records at two distinct court levels. Summary offenses, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings start at the MDJ level. More serious matters, including felonies and most misdemeanors, move to the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas after the preliminary hearing phase.
MDJ-level records for Allentown include the criminal complaint, bail determination, and the outcome of the preliminary hearing. If a case is held for court, the file transfers to the Common Pleas Criminal Division. From that point, the record grows to include formal charges, any plea agreements, hearing transcripts, trial records, the verdict, and the sentencing order. Appeals filed after sentencing also become part of the case file.
Allentown criminal court records at the Common Pleas level commonly include:
- Criminal complaints and affidavits of probable cause
- Bail orders and detention records
- Bills of information and grand jury indictments
- Plea agreements and sentencing orders
- Trial transcripts and jury verdicts
- Probation and parole supervision orders
- Post-conviction and appellate filings
Access to these records is governed by the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System under Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509. Most records are public. Juvenile records, sealed cases, and records restricted by court order are not available to the general public. Pennsylvania's CHRIA statute (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183) also governs how criminal history information can be used and who can access it.
Lehigh County Law Library in Allentown
The Lehigh County Law Library is located inside the Lehigh County Courthouse at 455 W. Hamilton Street, the same building as the Clerk of Judicial Records. The library's phone number is (610) 782-3114. Law librarians are available to help with legal research, including how to locate Allentown criminal court records, find case law, or navigate the court system.
The Law Library provides free access to legal research tools. This is a useful resource for people who want to review statutes related to their case, look up court rules, or understand how the criminal process works in Lehigh County. Staff can help identify the correct forms and offices for different types of requests. The library does not provide legal advice, but it can point you toward the right resources.
Allentown Police and Arrest Records
Allentown Police Department arrest records are separate from court records. The Records Division of the Allentown Police Department is at 425 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101. The phone number is (610) 437-7721. Arrest records document the initial contact, arrest, and booking before any court filing occurs. Court records begin once charges are filed with the Clerk of Judicial Records.
For a complete picture of a criminal matter in Allentown, researchers often need both the police arrest records and the court docket. The police records describe what happened at the time of arrest. The court records show everything that followed, from arraignment through final disposition. Both sets of records are maintained separately and must be requested from different offices.
Allentown is a high-activity city, and the police department handles a large volume of incidents. Providing specific details such as the incident date, location, and the names of parties involved will help the Records Division locate records faster. Some older records may be archived, so allow additional processing time for historic requests.
Criminal History Checks for Allentown Residents
Statewide criminal history background checks for Allentown residents are processed through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. PATCH is run by the Pennsylvania State Police and draws from the statewide criminal history database, which includes Lehigh County court records. Online requests are submitted at epatch.pa.gov. The standard fee is $22, and individuals checking their own records pay $20. Volunteers at qualifying nonprofits may qualify for a free check. The PATCH helpline is 1-888-783-7972.
The Pennsylvania State Police website provides full details on the background check process, what is included in results, and how to dispute errors. Criminal history records are governed by CHRIA (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183), which sets rules on who can access criminal history data and how it can be used. Allentown cases reported to the Pennsylvania State Police show up in PATCH results alongside records from other counties.
Note: PATCH results reflect the statewide compiled record. For docket-level detail on a specific Allentown case, use the UJS Portal or contact the Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records directly.
Public Access and Open Records in Allentown
Allentown criminal court records are public records under the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System (Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509). Dockets and most case documents are accessible to the public in person or through the UJS Portal. Sealed records, juvenile cases, and materials restricted by court order are not available publicly.
For Lehigh County government records that are not court records, the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101) applies. Right-to-Know requests for county agency records go to the county's open records officer. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov provides guidance on submitting requests and what types of records are covered under the law.
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law (18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1) automatically seals certain older nonviolent conviction records from public view. Records sealed under Clean Slate or through a petition under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 will not appear in UJS Portal searches. If a case you expect to find does not appear, it may have been sealed or expunged. The Clerk of Judicial Records can confirm whether a case exists but has restricted access.
Lehigh County Criminal Court Records
Allentown is the county seat of Lehigh County, and all criminal cases from the city are processed through the Lehigh County Court system. For a comprehensive overview of Lehigh County criminal court records, court office contact details, and additional access resources, visit the county records page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Other Pennsylvania cities maintain criminal court records through their own county court systems. Select a nearby city below to find records access information for that area.