Philadelphia Criminal Court Records
Philadelphia criminal court records are maintained by the First Judicial District, Pennsylvania's largest and most active court system. The city operates as a consolidated city-county with roughly 1.6 million residents, and its criminal dockets span two court levels: the Court of Common Pleas and the Municipal Court. Both courts are located at the Criminal Justice Center on Filbert Street. Whether you need a docket sheet, a case history, or records from a completed prosecution, the First Judicial District's Clerk of Courts office is the central point for access. This guide covers where to look, how to request records, and what resources are available for Philadelphia criminal court records.
Philadelphia Quick Facts
Where to Access Philadelphia Criminal Court Records
The Clerk of Courts for the First Judicial District maintains Philadelphia criminal court records at the Criminal Justice Center in Center City. This office serves as the official keeper of dockets, filings, and case files for both the Court of Common Pleas and the Municipal Court. Two separate court systems operate under one roof, so most criminal records for Philadelphia are available through a single location.
| Office | First Judicial District Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | Criminal Justice Center 1301 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
| Phone | (215) 683-7700 |
| Records Requests | Room 310B Stout Center; email OJRCriminal@courts.phila.gov |
| Website | courts.phila.gov |
| Criminal Motion Court | Room 206, Criminal Justice Center | (215) 683-7003 |
The Criminal Motion Court Unit operates in Room 206 with trial commissioners available from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Scheduling runs 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. This unit handles bench warrant hearings, Gagnon I hearings, formal arraignments, and probation or parole payment plan hearings. For anyone needing to locate a recently filed matter or track a pending case, this unit coordinates case flow throughout the Criminal Trial Division.
Note: Records requests sent by email to OJRCriminal@courts.phila.gov should identify the case with enough specifics for staff to locate it, such as the defendant's full name, case number, or date of arrest.
Philadelphia Clerk of Courts Criminal Division Structure
Since April 2010, the Philadelphia Clerk of Courts has operated under a team system. Each team is supervised by a Court Services Manager and covers a zone of courtrooms. High-volume courtrooms receive two clerks per session. Specialty Courts including DUI Court, Drug Treatment Court, and Mental Health Court are staffed with clerks who receive specialized training for complex case processing. Clerks are cross-trained and rotated among various programs and divisions, which keeps coverage consistent across the building.
The File Security Unit functions as the central repository for all active Common Pleas Court and Municipal Court criminal records. Files move through the building from preliminary hearings all the way through appellate review. The unit uses the CPCMS (Common Pleas Case Management System) electronic bar-scanning system to track every record. Each movement is logged with the date, location, and name of the person receiving the file. When a record cannot be located, staff conduct thorough searches and can prepare reconstructed files if necessary.
The Criminal Listings Unit, also in Room 206, oversees all case inventory management for the Criminal Trial Division. Trial commissioners handle para-judicial functions including bench warrant hearings and traffic court appeals. The listings unit also manages formal arraignments and special release hearings. Commissioners review and assign criminal cases to judges.
Searching Philadelphia Criminal Court Cases Online
The First Judicial District provides a public access portal specifically for Philadelphia court records. You can search case dockets, view party names, check case status, and review scheduled hearing dates at no charge. The portal covers both Common Pleas and Municipal Court cases for Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia courts public access page is at courts.phila.gov/publicaccess. This site is separate from the statewide UJS Portal but covers the same Philadelphia records. Both tools are free.
The official Philadelphia Courts website provides direct access to the First Judicial District's case management tools, court calendars, and clerk information for criminal proceedings in the city.
The statewide Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us also covers Philadelphia. You can search by defendant name, case number, or OTN (Offense Tracking Number). Results include docket entries, charges, dispositions, and sentencing information for both MDJ-level and Common Pleas-level cases. The UJS Portal is free and does not require an account.
The Philadelphia public access portal lets you search criminal dockets directly through the First Judicial District without going through the statewide system.
Note: Neither portal provides access to sealed, expunged, or juvenile records. Cases that qualify for automatic sealing under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law (18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1) may not appear in search results.
What Philadelphia Criminal Court Records Include
Philadelphia criminal court records are generated at every stage of the criminal process, from the initial arrest through sentencing and beyond. The records cover both the Municipal Court level and the Court of Common Pleas level, which means a single criminal matter can produce documents in two separate court systems before it is resolved.
At the Municipal Court level, records include preliminary arraignment paperwork, bail orders, and preliminary hearing outcomes. The Municipal Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors and conducts most preliminary hearings in felony cases, along with summary offenses and traffic matters. When a case is held for court at the Common Pleas level, the record transfers and grows as the case proceeds through trial, plea, and sentencing.
Philadelphia criminal court records commonly include:
- Criminal complaints and arrest records
- Bail orders and detention paperwork
- Preliminary hearing outcomes
- Indictments and informations
- Trial transcripts and jury verdicts
- Sentencing orders and probation terms
- Appeals and post-conviction filings
Records governed by the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183) have specific access rules. Court records open to the public under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 can be viewed in person or through the online portals. Some documents require a formal request under the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System, Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509.
Philadelphia Police and Arrest Records
Arrest records for incidents within Philadelphia are maintained by the Philadelphia Police Department. Court records and arrest records are separate systems. Court records reflect what happens after charges are filed. Arrest records document the initial police contact, arrest circumstances, and booking information.
The Philadelphia Police Department is separate from the Clerk of Courts. For police reports and arrest documentation, contact the department directly. For court records related to a criminal case that resulted from an arrest, contact the Clerk of Courts or search the UJS Portal. Many people need both types of records, and knowing which office holds what will save time.
The UJS Portal provides free statewide access to criminal case dockets including Philadelphia cases filed at both the Municipal Court and Common Pleas levels.
Philadelphia is also a reporting jurisdiction under CHRIA. Criminal history data compiled by the Pennsylvania State Police reflects arrests and dispositions statewide, including those from Philadelphia County. The statewide criminal history database is separate from individual court dockets but draws on the same underlying court data.
Criminal History Checks for Philadelphia Residents
Pennsylvania offers several ways to obtain a formal criminal history background check for Philadelphia residents and others. These checks pull from the statewide database maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police, which includes records from Philadelphia courts along with courts across all 67 counties.
The PATCH system (Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History) is the official statewide tool. You can submit a request online at epatch.pa.gov. Standard checks cost $22. Individuals checking their own record pay $20. Volunteers at certain nonprofit organizations may qualify for a free check. The PATCH helpline is 1-888-783-7972. Results reflect statewide court records including Philadelphia cases and are typically returned quickly for online submissions.
You can also request a criminal history check through the PA.gov criminal history page or directly through the Pennsylvania State Police website. These resources explain what is included, what is excluded, and how to challenge any errors on your record.
Note: A PATCH result reflects statewide compiled records, not a direct search of Philadelphia court files. For a complete picture of a specific Philadelphia case, search the UJS Portal or request records directly from the Clerk of Courts.
Public Access and Right-to-Know in Philadelphia
Philadelphia criminal court records are public records under the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System, codified at Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509. Most dockets and filings are open to anyone who requests them. Exceptions include juvenile records, sealed cases, and records restricted by court order.
To request records formally, submit a written request to the Clerk of Courts identifying the record with enough specificity for staff to locate it. Email requests go to OJRCriminal@courts.phila.gov. Phone inquiries go to (215) 683-7700. In-person requests are handled at Room 310B in the Stout Center. The fee schedule for copies is set by the First Judicial District. If a request is denied, you can file a motion with the court, which will be assigned to the Administrative Judge of the Criminal Division.
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101) applies to government agency records but works differently for court records. Court records are governed by the Public Access Policy rather than the Right-to-Know Law. For non-court records held by the City of Philadelphia, the Right-to-Know process applies. The statewide Open Records Office at openrecords.pa.gov can help clarify which process to use for a specific request.
Philadelphia's Clean Slate provisions under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1 automatically seal certain older nonviolent conviction records from public access. Records sealed under Clean Slate or by petition under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 will not appear in public docket searches. This affects what appears both on PATCH reports and in online court record searches.
Philadelphia County Criminal Court Records
Philadelphia operates as a consolidated city-county, meaning city and county court systems are unified. All criminal cases in Philadelphia are processed through the Philadelphia County Court structure. For a full overview of the county-level court system, fee schedules, and additional record access resources, visit the Philadelphia County criminal court records page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Criminal court records in nearby cities are handled by their respective county courts. Select a city below to find court contact information and access resources for that area.