Lehigh County Criminal Court Records Access

Lehigh County criminal court records are maintained by the Clerk of Judicial Records at the Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown. With a population near 374,000, Lehigh County is one of the more populous counties in eastern Pennsylvania. The county is part of the 31st Judicial District and is served by the Court of Common Pleas in Allentown. Records are available through a public access terminal at the courthouse, online through the state portal, and by request to the Criminal Division. Lehigh County has specific records retention rules and a Law Library that provides free research assistance. This page covers all of those options for searching criminal court records in Lehigh County.

Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records Criminal Division

The Clerk of Judicial Records in Lehigh County handles both civil and criminal case records for the Court of Common Pleas. The Criminal Division is located at Room 122 in the Lehigh County Courthouse at 455 West Hamilton Street in Allentown. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

For criminal filing questions, call (610) 782-3077. For general inquiries, the main line is (610) 782-3000. Criminal Court Division scheduling can be reached at (610) 782-3014. The office provides public access terminals so that visitors can search records on-site without needing to submit a formal request. Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509, you may inspect records at the courthouse without charge. Fees apply only for printed copies and certified documents. Staff at the Criminal Division can assist with finding specific cases or documents, and can process requests for certified copies for legal and personal use.

The Lehigh County Courts website at lccpa.org provides information about the court system, local rules, and contact details for all court divisions. This is a good starting point before visiting or calling the courthouse.

Lehigh County Criminal Records Retention Schedule

Lehigh County follows specific records retention rules that differ by offense type. Knowing these rules helps you understand what records are still on file and how long they have been kept.

Felony case records in Lehigh County are retained for 75 years after final disposition. Misdemeanor records are kept for 25 years. Summary offense records are maintained for 7 years after final disposition. These retention periods apply to records held by the Clerk of Judicial Records at the courthouse. Records that have passed their retention period may be transferred to or preserved at the Lehigh County Historical Records Center, which maintains older documents no longer held at the courthouse. If you are searching for a very old criminal case from Lehigh County, contacting the Historical Records Center may be necessary if the courthouse no longer holds the file.

These retention rules are specific to Lehigh County and reflect local court administration policy. Other Pennsylvania counties may use different schedules, but Lehigh County's formal schedule is among the most clearly documented in the state.

Note: Records approaching or past their retention period may require a more detailed request process. Contact the Clerk of Judicial Records directly at (610) 782-3000 to confirm availability before planning a visit.

Online Docket Search and Law Library Resources in Lehigh County

Two main options exist for free access to Lehigh County criminal court records: the UJS portal and the Lehigh County Law Library.

The UJS portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is available to anyone online, at no cost, around the clock. Select "Court Dockets" and then "Court of Common Pleas." Enter a defendant's name or case number and filter by Lehigh County. Results include the full docket sheet with all filings, charges, bail information, and case outcome. For magisterial district court records from Lehigh County, select "Magisterial District Courts" from the portal. Lehigh County has multiple district courts serving Allentown and surrounding communities, and all of their records are part of the public docket system.

The Lehigh County Law Library is located at 455 West Hamilton Street in Allentown, the same building as the courthouse. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The phone number is (610) 782-3114. The Law Library provides free access to legal research databases and reference materials. Law librarians can help you locate public court records, understand what records are available, and navigate the research process. This resource is particularly useful for complex searches or older cases.

Lehigh County Criminal Records Content and Legal Framework

Criminal case records in Lehigh County are public documents. Access is supported by the Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 and the Public Access Policy at 204 Pa. Code § 213.81. Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509 specifically confirms the right to inspect records at the courthouse at no charge. Lehigh County's public access terminal in the Criminal Division office allows visitors to search and view records on-site before deciding to request copies.

Records in a Lehigh County criminal case may include the criminal complaint, affidavit of probable cause, arraignment papers, bail order, criminal information, pretrial motions and rulings, plea or trial records, and the sentencing order. Post-sentence filings such as motions for reconsideration or appeals are also kept in the case file. Some materials are restricted, including sealed documents, juvenile records, and any filings covered by court order. For adult criminal cases, the default position is public access.

Lehigh County criminal records going back many years are maintained according to the retention schedule described above. The oldest available records are at the Historical Records Center. Contact the courthouse for guidance on locating records from earlier decades.

Criminal History Checks and Lehigh County Records

Court dockets give you the full case history for Lehigh County matters. For a broader statewide criminal history report, the PATCH system is the official source. PATCH is managed by the Pennsylvania State Police and covers all 67 Pennsylvania counties.

Submit PATCH requests online at epatch.pa.gov. Standard reports cost $22. Individual name checks cost $20. Qualifying volunteers receive free checks. For help, call 1-888-783-7972. Additional information is available at psp.pa.gov and through the state's criminal history check portal at pa.gov. The Criminal History Record Information Act at 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183 governs how criminal history data is collected, maintained, and used in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law at 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1 and § 9122.2 allows automatic sealing of qualifying records after a waiting period. Once sealed, these records are not visible in public portal searches. Records that do not qualify for automatic sealing may be eligible for expungement through a court petition. Expungement petitions in Lehigh County are filed with the Clerk of Judicial Records at the Criminal Division. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records handles appeals when public records requests are denied.

Note: Public access terminals at the Lehigh County courthouse allow free in-person record review without needing to request a formal printed copy.

Nearby Counties

Lehigh County is in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. It borders several other counties in the region. Use the links below to find criminal court records in neighboring counties.

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