Access Scranton Criminal Court Records
Scranton is the county seat of Lackawanna County and Pennsylvania's sixth-largest city. All criminal court records for Scranton cases are processed and maintained by the Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records at the county courthouse. The courthouse sits in the center of the city, making in-person record access straightforward for local residents. You can also search many Scranton criminal dockets for free through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal without visiting in person. This page explains how both options work.
Scranton Quick Facts
Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records - Scranton Criminal Division
The Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records is the official keeper of criminal court records for Scranton and all of Lackawanna County. This office is located inside the county courthouse in downtown Scranton. It maintains files for cases handled by the 45th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas. Both the Criminal Division and the Central Court operate out of the same address.
| Court | Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records - Criminal Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 N. Washington Ave Scranton, PA 18503 |
| Phone | (570) 963-6759 |
| Fax | (570) 963-6459 |
| Judicial District | 45th Judicial District |
| Central Court Phone | (570) 963-6436 |
The Central Court at the same address handles all preliminary hearings for Lackawanna County, including every criminal case originating in Scranton. After a preliminary hearing, cases that proceed move to the Court of Common Pleas Criminal Division, where the docket grows with each subsequent filing. All of these documents are part of the public record and can be accessed at the courthouse or searched through the UJS Portal.
Note: Criminal record requests cost approximately $10 at the Lackawanna County Clerk's office. Additional fees apply for copies and certified documents. Personal checks are not accepted. Payment must be made by business check or money order only.
Scranton Criminal Docket Search Online
Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System Portal provides free public access to Scranton criminal court dockets. You do not need to visit the courthouse to get basic case information. The portal covers Lackawanna County cases and shows charges, case status, hearing dates, attorney names, and disposition details. Search by a person's full name, date of birth, or docket number.
The screenshot below shows the UJS Portal, which is the primary free tool for searching Scranton criminal court records online.
Visit ujsportal.pacourts.us to search Scranton criminal dockets at no cost. The portal is updated regularly, though it is not a certified criminal history report.
The UJS Portal shows what is in the court record. It does not include police reports, arrest records, or documents filed under seal. For full case files or certified copies, contact the Clerk of Judicial Records at (570) 963-6759.
Scranton Right-to-Know Requests for Criminal Records
The City of Scranton processes public records requests under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. You can submit a request through the city's online portal. This path works for city government records rather than court filings, which go through the county clerk.
The screenshot below is from the Scranton Right-to-Know request page, which handles city-level records related to police and public safety matters.
Submit a Right-to-Know request through scrantonpa.gov/services/right-to-know-request/ or email rtk@scrantonpa.gov with a clear description of the records you need.
The City has five business days to respond. Extensions of up to 30 days are possible for complex requests. If the city denies your request, you may appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov. Appeals specific to criminal record denials should go to the Lackawanna County District Attorney's Office at 135 Jefferson Ave, Scranton, PA 18503, phone (570) 963-6717.
Note: Right-to-Know requests to the city cover police and government records. Criminal court files are held by the county clerk, not the city, and are accessed through different channels.
Scranton Police Department and Arrest Records
The Scranton Police Department responds to incidents within city limits and generates arrest reports, incident reports, and other law enforcement records. These are separate from court records. Police reports document the events as observed by officers. Court records begin when a case is filed with the clerk.
| Department | Scranton Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 S. Washington Avenue Scranton, PA 18503 |
| Phone | (570) 348-4134 |
Arrest records and police incident reports from Scranton are subject to the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Some records tied to active investigations may be exempt from disclosure. Contact the Scranton Police Department directly or submit a Right-to-Know request through the city portal to request copies of police reports.
Lackawanna County Criminal Court Resources for Scranton
The Lackawanna County government website at lackawannacounty.org provides information about court services, offices, and county government functions. The site lists contact information for the Clerk of Judicial Records and links to various county departments. For Scranton residents working through the criminal court process, the county website is a useful starting point for finding the right office.
Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act, 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183, governs how Scranton and all Pennsylvania criminal records are kept and shared. Under Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509, courts maintain records access policies that balance public transparency against individual privacy. Certain records, including those of juveniles and sealed cases, are not publicly available through the standard court docket search.
For a certified statewide criminal history report that includes Scranton cases, use the PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov. The fee is $22 and you can request records online. PATCH searches all counties in Pennsylvania, so it captures any Lackawanna County case tied to a person's name and date of birth.
Scranton Magisterial District Court Dockets
Multiple Magisterial District Judge courts serve Scranton's different wards. These lower courts handle preliminary arraignments, bail hearings, and preliminary hearings before cases move to the Court of Common Pleas. MDJ court dockets are public records and are searchable through the UJS Portal.
To find which MDJ court covers a specific Scranton ward, contact the Lackawanna County Court Administrator. The court administrator's office can direct you to the right MDJ for a given address or zip code within the city. MDJ records go back several years and include both active cases and closed matters.
All Lackawanna County MDJ courts forward cases to the same Clerk of Judicial Records office after preliminary proceedings. So regardless of which MDJ handled the early stages, the county clerk at 200 N. Washington Ave is your central source for Scranton criminal court records once a case moves past the preliminary phase.
Note: MDJ dockets in the UJS Portal often show less detail than Court of Common Pleas dockets. For complete case history, search both levels when researching a Scranton criminal matter.
Lackawanna County Criminal Court Records
Scranton is the county seat of Lackawanna County, and all criminal cases from the city pass through the county court system. Visit the Lackawanna County page for full details on courts, fees, records access, and other resources serving Scranton residents.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Each nearby city has its own county court system for criminal records. Choose a city to learn about the courts and records available in that area.