Criminal Court Records in Upper Darby
Upper Darby criminal court records are maintained through the Delaware County court system, which serves the 32nd Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Upper Darby is a township in Delaware County with approximately 85,000 residents, making it one of the most densely populated municipalities in Pennsylvania outside the City of Philadelphia. Because Upper Darby is a township rather than a city, it does not have its own court. Criminal cases are handled by Delaware County courts, including a local Magisterial District Court and the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas in Media. This page covers how to access Upper Darby criminal court records, where each type of case is filed, and what online tools are available.
Upper Darby Quick Facts
Upper Darby Criminal Court Records: Which Courts Are Involved
Two courts handle criminal matters originating in Upper Darby. Summary offenses, traffic violations, preliminary hearings, and smaller civil disputes go to Magisterial District Court 32-2-51, which is physically located in Upper Darby. Felony and misdemeanor cases that proceed beyond the preliminary hearing go to the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas in Media. Court records at both levels are accessible to the public.
| MDJ Court | Magisterial District Court 32-2-51 |
|---|---|
| MDJ Address | Barclay Square Building 1550 Garrett Road, Upper Darby, PA 19082 |
| MDJ Phone | (610) 626-6900 |
| Common Pleas | Delaware County Court of Common Pleas |
| Common Pleas Address | 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063 |
| Common Pleas Phone | (610) 891-4000 |
| Office of Judicial Support | Government Center Building, Room 127 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063 |
| Judicial Support Phone | (610) 891-4370 |
| Director | Mary J. Walk, Esquire |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Delaware County Office of Judicial Support in Room 127 of the Government Center Building is the main office for accessing court records at the Common Pleas level. Mary J. Walk, Esquire, serves as Director. This office handles requests for criminal records, maintains dockets, and can provide certified copies of case documents.
MDJ Court 32-2-51 at the Barclay Square Building in Upper Darby handles preliminary hearings, summary offenses, traffic cases, and civil matters under $12,000. Records from this court are part of the statewide MDJS system and are searchable through the UJS Portal. For more serious criminal cases that proceed to Common Pleas, the Delaware County Office of Judicial Support in Media holds the complete record.
Note: Upper Darby is a township, not a city or borough, so it does not have its own court system. All criminal court records for Upper Darby residents are part of the Delaware County court system, not a local Upper Darby court.
Searching Upper Darby Criminal Court Cases Online
The statewide UJS Portal is the best starting point for searching Upper Darby criminal court records online. It covers both the MDJ-level cases from Court 32-2-51 and the Delaware County Common Pleas cases. Searches are free and do not require an account.
Search Upper Darby criminal case dockets for free at the Pennsylvania UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. Search by the defendant's name, case number, or OTN (Offense Tracking Number) to find docket sheets for both MDJ and Common Pleas cases from Delaware County.
UJS Portal results for Upper Darby cases show charge information, filing dates, hearing schedules, case dispositions, and sentencing data. Docket entries reflect the full history of the case from initial arraignment through final outcome. The portal is maintained by the Pennsylvania Administrative Office of Courts and covers all 67 Pennsylvania counties including Delaware County.
The Pennsylvania Courts website at pacourts.us explains how the statewide court record system works, including how to navigate the UJS Portal and what the Public Access Policy covers for courts across Pennsylvania including Delaware County.
For cases that are not yet fully available online or for older records in paper form, contact the Delaware County Office of Judicial Support at (610) 891-4370. Staff can confirm whether a case exists and arrange in-person access or copies during regular business hours.
What Upper Darby Criminal Court Records Include
Upper Darby criminal court records span two systems. At the MDJ level, records reflect the initial phases of a criminal case: the complaint, preliminary arraignment, bail determination, and preliminary hearing outcome. Cases resolved at the MDJ level end there. Cases held for court move to Delaware County Common Pleas.
At the Common Pleas level in Media, the record grows significantly. From the formal arraignment through trial or plea and sentencing, every step is docketed and maintained by the Office of Judicial Support. Appeals and post-conviction matters are also filed there. Delaware County Common Pleas participates in PACFile, the statewide electronic filing system, so more recent cases are reflected in the UJS Portal more quickly.
Common types of Upper Darby criminal court records at the Common Pleas level include:
- Criminal complaints and affidavits of probable cause
- Bail orders and pretrial detention records
- Bills of information and grand jury indictments
- Plea agreements and guilty plea colloquies
- Sentencing orders and probation conditions
- Appeals and post-conviction petitions
MDJ Court 32-2-51 also handles landlord-tenant and small civil matters up to $12,000, though those records are civil, not criminal. If you are researching a specific matter, confirm the court level before contacting an office. Criminal records at both levels are subject to the Public Access Policy (Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509), which governs what is available and how to request it.
Upper Darby Court Record Copy Fees
The Delaware County Office of Judicial Support charges $1.00 per page for one-sided copies of court records. Certified copies cost $6.00 for the first page and $1.00 per page after that. These fees apply to criminal court records from Delaware County Common Pleas cases, including those originating in Upper Darby.
For the most current fee information before visiting or submitting a mail request, call (610) 891-4370. Fees can change, and confirming in advance avoids delays. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope along with payment in the correct form. Contact the office to confirm accepted payment methods before sending a mail request.
Upper Darby Police and Arrest Records
The Upper Darby Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents within the township. The department is at 6920 Market Street, Upper Darby, PA 19082, and the phone number is (610) 734-7711. Police arrest records document the circumstances of an arrest, booking information, and any police reports related to the incident. These are separate from the court records that begin once charges are filed.
If you need both the police documentation and the court record for a specific matter in Upper Darby, contact each office separately. The police department holds records generated before formal charges. The MDJ court and the Delaware County Common Pleas hold everything that followed. Many records researchers need both to fully understand what happened in a case.
Upper Darby is one of the largest townships in Pennsylvania. The police department handles a significant volume of incidents, so having specific details like the date, location, and names of involved parties will help the Records Division find the correct file promptly.
Criminal History Checks for Upper Darby Residents
Statewide criminal history background checks for Upper Darby residents are available through PATCH (Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History) at epatch.pa.gov. The Pennsylvania State Police runs the PATCH system and draws from the statewide criminal history database, which includes Delaware County records. Standard checks cost $22. Individuals checking their own records pay $20. Volunteers at qualifying nonprofits may receive a free check. The PATCH helpline is 1-888-783-7972.
PATCH results reflect statewide criminal history compiled under CHRIA (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183). Delaware County cases reported to the State Police, including those originating in Upper Darby, appear in PATCH results alongside records from all other Pennsylvania counties. For docket-level detail on a specific case, use the UJS Portal or contact the Delaware County Office of Judicial Support directly. Additional information is available at the PA.gov criminal history page.
Note: Records sealed under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law (18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1) do not appear in PATCH results or UJS Portal searches. If you believe a record should be sealed or expunged and it still shows up, the petition process under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 may be an option to explore.
Public Access to Upper Darby Criminal Court Records
Upper Darby criminal court records are public records under the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System (Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509). Most dockets and filings in adult criminal cases are open to anyone who requests them. Sealed records, juvenile cases, and materials restricted by court order are the main exceptions. The UJS Portal reflects what is publicly available online, and in-person access to complete files is available at the Delaware County Office of Judicial Support.
For Delaware County government records that are not court records, the Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101) governs public access. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov can help determine whether a specific record falls under the court public access policy or the Right-to-Know Law. If a request is denied, the Office of Open Records also handles appeals for Right-to-Know denials.
Upper Darby Township maintains its own government records apart from the courts. For township records such as police reports, meeting minutes, or administrative documents, contact Upper Darby Township directly. For criminal court records in cases that went through the MDJ or Delaware County Common Pleas, the court system offices described throughout this page are the correct contacts.
Delaware County Criminal Court Records
Upper Darby is located in Delaware County, and all felony and misdemeanor cases from the township are processed through the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas in Media. For a complete overview of Delaware County criminal court records, court office contacts, and additional resources, visit the county records page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Criminal court records in nearby Pennsylvania cities are handled by their respective county court systems. Choose a nearby city below to find court record access information for that area.