Clinton County Pennsylvania Criminal Court Records
Clinton County criminal court records are filed with the Clerk of Courts at the Court of Common Pleas in Lock Haven, the county seat. The 30th Judicial District handles all criminal proceedings for Clinton County, a rural county in north-central Pennsylvania with roughly 37,000 residents. You can search criminal case records at no cost through the state's UJS Portal or visit the courthouse on East Main Street in Lock Haven during business hours.
Clinton County Quick Facts
Clinton County Clerk of Courts in Lock Haven
The Clinton County Clerk of Courts at 230 E. Main Street in Lock Haven is the official keeper of criminal court records for the 30th Judicial District. This office handles case filings, docket maintenance, and the storage of case documents for all felony and misdemeanor cases in Clinton County. Staff can search records by defendant name or case number during regular office hours.
You may view court records at the Clerk's office without paying a fee. Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509 makes clear that viewing records at the courthouse is free of charge. Copy fees apply when you want printed documents. Bring a valid photo ID with you when visiting in person. For older records or complex requests, calling ahead is recommended before making the trip to Lock Haven.
| Office |
Clinton County Clerk of Courts Court of Common Pleas, 30th Judicial District 230 E. Main Street Lock Haven, PA 17745 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (570) 893-4030 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Searching Clinton County Criminal Court Records Online
Pennsylvania's UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us provides free access to criminal docket sheets for all 67 Pennsylvania counties, including Clinton County. You can search by defendant name, case number, or OTN without creating an account. The portal covers cases at the Court of Common Pleas level and at the Magisterial District Judge level. Both types of records appear in search results for Clinton County cases.
The screenshot below comes from the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us, Pennsylvania's free docket search tool used to find Clinton County criminal case records.
Docket sheets in the UJS Portal show charge descriptions, court dates, and case outcomes for Clinton County criminal cases.
The UJS Portal displays docket-level information only. Actual documents such as motions, transcripts, and orders are kept at the Clerk of Courts in Lock Haven. Contact the office directly if you need copies of specific documents from a Clinton County case file.
Note: The UJS Portal search is free and covers both open and closed cases across Clinton County courts.
Criminal History Background Checks Through PATCH
The Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system provides statewide criminal background reports run by the Pennsylvania State Police. PATCH draws from the Central Repository and covers criminal history from all 67 Pennsylvania counties, including Clinton County. A PATCH check is different from a courthouse docket search because it reflects the statewide repository rather than a single court's records.
You can submit a PATCH request at epatch.pa.gov. The standard fee is $22. Individual review requests for checking your own record cost $20. Volunteers in qualifying programs may receive a free check. PATCH processes requests in chronological order. Results come back as "Record," "No Record," "Request Under Review," or "No Items Found." The PATCH helpline is 1-888-783-7972. More detail is available at the PA State Police criminal history page.
Types of Criminal Records Maintained in Clinton County
The Clinton County Clerk of Courts stores a full set of criminal case documents at each stage. Felony cases begin with a criminal complaint at the Magisterial District Judge level. Cases that proceed to the Court of Common Pleas have files that include preliminary hearing records, arraignment documents, pretrial motions, plea agreements or trial records, and sentencing orders. All of these are part of the public record in Lock Haven.
Many misdemeanor and summary offense cases in Clinton County are resolved at the Magisterial District Judge level and never move to Common Pleas. These records are still searchable through the UJS Portal. Appeals from district justice decisions are docketed at the Court of Common Pleas in Lock Haven when filed.
Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act at 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183 governs the creation, storage, and access to criminal records throughout the state. Clinton County follows the statewide retention schedule: 75 years for felony records, 25 years for misdemeanor records, and 7 years for summary offenses. Capital case records are permanent.
Clinton County on the PA Courts Website
The Pennsylvania courts website at pacourts.us provides information about the 30th Judicial District and Clinton County courts. The site includes general guidance on the court system, forms for common filings, and contact information for courts across Pennsylvania. It is a good starting point for understanding how criminal cases are processed and what resources are available in Clinton County.
The image below is from pacourts.us, the official Pennsylvania court system website covering all judicial districts including Clinton County's 30th.
The PA Courts website is maintained by the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania and covers court contact information for Lock Haven and all other county seats.
Sealing Clinton County Criminal Records Under Clean Slate
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law at 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1 allows for automatic sealing of certain convictions. Second and third degree misdemeanor convictions with sentences under two years may be sealed automatically after seven consecutive conviction-free years. Certain drug felony convictions with sentences under 30 months may also qualify for sealing after ten conviction-free years.
For records that do not qualify automatically, petition-based sealing is available under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2. A petition is filed with the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas in Lock Haven. The court reviews the facts and may hold a hearing before ruling. Once sealed, a record does not appear in standard public searches including the UJS Portal. Law enforcement retains access to sealed records under conditions defined by Pennsylvania law.
Expungement is a more complete remedy that destroys records entirely. This requires a separate petition and court order from the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas. Qualifying arrests, dismissed charges, and some convictions may be eligible. An attorney experienced with the 30th Judicial District can help you determine which process is right for your situation.
Public Access to Clinton County Court Records
Most criminal court records in Clinton County are public under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Docket sheets, charging documents, and court orders are open to anyone who asks to see them. You can view these records at the Clerk of Courts in Lock Haven at no charge. The court public access policy at 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 defines what records are open and what may be withheld. Sealed records, juvenile files, and certain victim information are not part of the public record.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records handles disputes about access to public records statewide. If you believe a Clinton County record was improperly withheld, the Office of Open Records is the right place to file an appeal. Filing an appeal is free and does not require a lawyer.
Nearby Counties
Clinton County borders several counties in north-central Pennsylvania. Criminal court records for neighboring counties are maintained at each county's Clerk of Courts.