Montour County Criminal Records and Dockets

Montour County is one of Pennsylvania's smallest counties, with a population of about 18,000 centered in Danville. The county shares the 26th Judicial District with neighboring Columbia County. The Clerk of Courts at 29 Mill Street in Danville maintains all criminal case records for the county. This page covers how to find criminal court records in Montour County, including online docket searches, in-person requests, and official criminal history options through the state system.

Montour County Clerk of Courts Criminal Case Records

The Montour County Clerk of Courts is located at 29 Mill Street in Danville. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and can be reached by phone at (570) 271-3040. As the official custodian of criminal records for the 26th Judicial District in Montour County, the clerk's office processes new criminal filings, maintains case files, records dispositions after each hearing, and handles requests for copies and certified documents from the public.

Montour County is among the least populous counties in Pennsylvania. The Clerk of Courts office is small but fully operational and handles the same range of criminal record functions as offices in larger counties. Because the case volume is relatively low, staff can often assist with record requests promptly. Calling ahead to confirm availability of older files is still a good practice for records that may be in off-site storage.

Note: Montour and Columbia Counties share the 26th Judicial District. Each county maintains its own court records separately. A case filed in Montour County stays with the Montour County Clerk of Courts.

Search Montour County Criminal Dockets Online

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us provides free public access to Montour County criminal docket sheets. Search by name, date of birth, or docket number to find cases filed in the county. The portal includes records from both the Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts. Each result links to a full docket sheet showing the charges, court dates, and disposition history.

Since Montour County has fewer cases than larger counties, name searches often return a small number of results, making it easier to identify the specific case you need. Active cases show upcoming hearing dates. Closed cases show the complete record from the first appearance through sentencing. Printing a docket sheet from the portal is free. For certified records, contact the Clerk of Courts in Danville.

Criminal Records in Danville, Montour County's County Seat

Danville serves as both the county seat of Montour County and the home of Geisinger Medical Center, one of Pennsylvania's major health systems. The presence of a large medical institution in a small county shapes the local community in many ways, including the types of cases that come before the court. The combination of a relatively small permanent population and a significant healthcare workforce makes Montour County unique among Pennsylvania's 67 counties.

All criminal cases arising in Montour County, whether in Danville Borough or in any of the surrounding townships, are filed and processed through the same courthouse at 29 Mill Street. Cases that begin at the district court level in Danville or other magisterial districts are bound over to the Court of Common Pleas at this same location when they involve felony charges or serious misdemeanors. The docket records for both levels of court are available through the UJS Portal.

Official Montour County Criminal History Background Checks

For an official statewide criminal history report covering Montour County, use the PATCH system operated by the Pennsylvania State Police. Submit a request at epatch.pa.gov for a $22 fee. The PATCH report draws from the statewide criminal history database assembled under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183 and covers arrests and dispositions reported by agencies across Pennsylvania. Phone assistance is available at 1-888-783-7972.

PATCH results reflect only what has been submitted to the state database. Small-county offenses resolved at the district court level may not always appear if the local agency did not report the outcome. Using PATCH alongside the UJS Portal gives the most thorough view of Montour County criminal history. Additional guidance on requesting a Pennsylvania criminal background check is at pa.gov.

Note: A PATCH report is a statewide report, not a Montour County-specific document. It will include arrests and convictions from other Pennsylvania counties in addition to any Montour County records.

Clean Slate and Expungements in Montour County

Pennsylvania law provides two main ways to remove or restrict public access to criminal records. Automatic sealing under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1 applies to eligible misdemeanor and summary offense convictions after the applicable waiting period. No court filing is needed. The record is simply removed from public databases once the conditions are met. Law enforcement retains access to sealed records even after they are hidden from the public.

For offenses that do not qualify for automatic sealing, a person may file a petition with the Montour County Court of Common Pleas under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2. The court reviews the petition and, if it is granted, sends orders to the State Police and other agencies holding the record. Full expungements that permanently destroy the record are available for dismissals, acquittals, and arrests that did not lead to conviction. The Clerk of Courts in Danville can explain the filing process. More general information is available at pacourts.us.

Nearby Counties

Montour County is located in central Pennsylvania and borders several counties. Each county maintains separate criminal court records. Use the links below for neighboring jurisdictions.

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