Lancaster Pennsylvania Criminal Court Records

Lancaster is the county seat of Lancaster County and home to the 2nd Judicial District. All criminal court records for the City of Lancaster are filed and maintained at the Lancaster County Clerk of Courts on North Duke Street. Located in the heart of downtown Lancaster, the courthouse is the central point for all criminal case filings, dockets, and related documents. Online searches are free through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal, and certified records can be requested directly from the Clerk of Courts.

Lancaster County Clerk of Courts - Criminal Division

The Lancaster County Clerk of Courts is the official keeper of criminal court records for Lancaster City and all of Lancaster County. The office is located on North Duke Street in downtown Lancaster, inside the county courthouse. This is where all criminal cases from the city are filed, tracked, and stored. For anyone searching Lancaster criminal court records, this office is the authoritative source for certified documents and full case files.

The Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas Criminal Division operates out of the same address. Cases from the City of Lancaster move from a Magisterial District Judge court to the Court of Common Pleas once preliminary proceedings are complete. The Clerk of Courts maintains the docket for each case at this level. Lancaster is one of Pennsylvania's oldest and most active judicial districts, reflecting the county's size and growth as one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.

Note: The office is open weekdays only. Visiting in the morning typically means shorter wait times for in-person records requests.

Lancaster Criminal Court Docket Search Online

The UJS Portal provides free access to Lancaster criminal court dockets without requiring a visit to the courthouse. You can search by a person's name, date of birth, or docket number. The system shows charges filed, case status, hearing history, and the names of attorneys and judges on the case. Results cover both the Magisterial District Judge level and the Court of Common Pleas level.

The screenshot below shows the UJS Portal interface used to search Lancaster criminal court records and dockets online.

Begin a Lancaster docket search at ujsportal.pacourts.us. Filter by Lancaster County to focus your results on cases from the city and county.

Searching both the MDJ and Common Pleas levels gives you the full picture of a case from start to finish. The MDJ docket covers early stages like arraignment and preliminary hearing. The Common Pleas docket picks up from there through trial and sentencing. Most Lancaster City cases move to Common Pleas after a preliminary hearing unless charges are dismissed at the MDJ level.

PA Courts Portal and Lancaster Case Records

The Pennsylvania courts website at pacourts.us is a useful resource for understanding how criminal cases work in Lancaster and throughout Pennsylvania. The 2nd Judicial District is one of the older districts in the state. PA Courts provides forms, court rules, and contact information for all judicial districts. Anyone navigating the Lancaster criminal court process can use the site to find procedural guidance and locate the right office for their needs.

The screenshot below is from the PA Courts portal, which provides statewide information including resources applicable to Lancaster criminal court records.

The PA Courts website links to forms, judicial district contacts, and information on court procedures applicable to Lancaster County and the 2nd Judicial District.

Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act at 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183 governs how Lancaster criminal records are kept and shared. Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, certain fields in court dockets are restricted from public view even when a case is otherwise public. Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509 addresses court records access policies that apply in Lancaster and across Pennsylvania.

Lancaster City Police Department Records

The Lancaster Bureau of Police handles law enforcement within the city. Police records from Lancaster, including incident reports and arrest documents, are distinct from court records. Police reports document what officers observed and recorded at the time of an incident. Court records begin after the case is brought before a Magisterial District Judge and, if held over, the Court of Common Pleas.

Police records from Lancaster City can be requested through the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov provides templates and step-by-step guidance for making requests. Some records tied to open investigations or confidential informants are exempt. If a request is denied, you may appeal to the Office of Open Records.

Note: Court records and police records serve different purposes and come from different offices. Having a court docket does not mean you have a copy of the police report from the same incident.

Lancaster County Criminal Courts and the City of Lancaster

Lancaster County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Pennsylvania. The county spans a large area of south-central Pennsylvania and includes dozens of townships and boroughs in addition to the city. Lancaster City sits at the center of the county and serves as the seat of county government, including the courts.

Because Lancaster City is the county seat, most court services are close at hand for city residents. The courthouse at 50 N. Duke Street is within walking distance of much of the downtown area. For those coming from outlying parts of Lancaster County, the city courthouse is accessible by road from major routes in every direction.

Lancaster County Magisterial District courts handle initial criminal proceedings throughout the county. Several MDJ courts serve different parts of Lancaster City. After a preliminary hearing, cases proceed to the Court of Common Pleas at the same address as the Clerk of Courts. All Lancaster City cases that move to Common Pleas are on file with the Clerk at 50 N. Duke Street.

The county is home to PA Dutch Country, one of Pennsylvania's most recognized cultural regions. Lancaster's history, population growth, and busy court calendar make it one of the more active criminal court jurisdictions in the central part of the state.

Certified Criminal History Records for Lancaster

For official certified criminal records that include Lancaster County cases, the PATCH system from the Pennsylvania State Police is the standard tool. PATCH searches all Pennsylvania counties in one report. The fee is $22 per search. Access PATCH online at epatch.pa.gov or by calling 1-888-783-7972.

Individuals can request their own Pennsylvania criminal history at psp.pa.gov. The general information page for background checks is at pa.gov. Both explain the process and what to expect in the results.

Clean Slate provisions under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1 and § 9122.2 may seal certain older records automatically. Non-conviction records and some low-level offenses after a qualifying period without reoffense may be removed from public view. Sealed records do not appear in PATCH or the UJS Portal. If you believe a Lancaster case should have been sealed, the Clerk of Courts or an attorney can help clarify the status.

Lancaster County Criminal Court Records

The City of Lancaster is the county seat of Lancaster County, and all criminal cases from the city are processed through the Lancaster County court system. Visit the county page for complete details on courts, fees, records access, and additional resources.

View Lancaster County Criminal Court Records

Nearby Pennsylvania Cities

Criminal records in nearby cities are handled through their respective county courts. Choose a city to learn more about records access in that area.

View Major Pennsylvania Cities