Scranton Criminal History Records
Scranton is the county seat of Lackawanna County in northeastern Pennsylvania. Criminal history records for Scranton are filed at the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas, the official court of record for felony and misdemeanor criminal cases in the region. Magisterial District Courts throughout the city handle preliminary hearings and summary offenses. Residents and researchers can access Scranton criminal history records through the Pennsylvania UJS portal and request certified background checks through the PA State Police PATCH system.
Scranton Quick Facts
Where Scranton Criminal History Records Are Filed
All felony and misdemeanor criminal cases originating in Scranton are filed at the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas. This court serves as the official repository for criminal case documents in Lackawanna County. The courthouse is in downtown Scranton, which is also the county seat.
The Clerk of Courts at the Lackawanna County Courthouse maintains official criminal case files. Summary offenses and preliminary hearings begin at local Magisterial District Courts before cases move up to Common Pleas for trial or sentencing.
The Scranton Municipal Court handles city-level matters including ordinance violations and minor summary offenses. More serious charges go directly to the county level. All records from both the lower and upper courts are indexed in the Pennsylvania UJS portal.
Note: Juvenile records, sealed cases, mental health records, and expunged files are excluded from public access under Pennsylvania law and will not appear in any public search tool.
Scranton Criminal Records Search Online
The Pennsylvania UJS Case Search portal is the primary free tool for searching Scranton criminal history. Searches can be done by participant name, docket number, offense tracking number, or case number. The system returns docket entries, charge details, case status, and upcoming hearing dates.
The portal covers all Pennsylvania courts from the Supreme Court down to individual Magisterial District Courts. No account is needed for basic docket access. Full case documents are not available for download and must be requested from the Lackawanna County Clerk of Courts office.
The City of Scranton's official website provides information on city services, the Scranton Police Department, and public records access for Lackawanna County residents.
Data on the UJS portal may not reflect filings made within the last 24 hours. For the most current information, contact the Lackawanna County Clerk of Courts directly. Older cases may have less complete digital records depending on when they were filed.
Scranton Criminal History Through PATCH
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History system, PATCH, provides certified criminal background checks for Scranton and all of Lackawanna County. PATCH is administered by the Pennsylvania State Police and pulls from statewide court records.
PATCH checks cost $22 each and are submitted online at epatch.pa.gov. You will need the subject's full legal name and date of birth. Most results are returned quickly for standard online requests.
PATCH is the only official source for a certified criminal history check in Pennsylvania. The PSP is the state's central repository for criminal history data under CHRIA, 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91. Court portal searches are informational and do not constitute a certified background check.
Lackawanna County Court Records for Scranton Cases
The Lackawanna County government website provides contact information for the Clerk of Courts and other county offices. The Clerk's office handles criminal record lookups, certified copy requests, and in-person document access.
Bring a valid photo ID when visiting the courthouse in person. Fees apply for certified copies of court documents. Office hours are generally Monday through Friday. Calling ahead to confirm fees and what to bring can save time when visiting.
The Lackawanna County government serves Scranton and all of Lackawanna County. Criminal cases from Scranton are filed and maintained at the county courthouse in downtown Scranton.
Note: Documents listed on the docket cannot be downloaded directly from the UJS portal. They are only available through the county Clerk of Courts office where the case was originally filed.
Scranton Police Department Records
The Scranton Police Department provides law enforcement throughout the city. Arrest records, incident reports, and police blotter data are generated at the department level for crimes occurring within Scranton city limits.
The Scranton Police Department handles public records requests for department-generated documents. Police blotter information is generally available under Pennsylvania law. Detailed investigative records may be withheld if related to active cases.
The Scranton Police Department maintains arrest records and incident reports for crimes within city limits. These are separate from the court records maintained at the Lackawanna County Courthouse.
Note: An arrest record from Scranton Police does not show what happened in court. Use the UJS portal to look up the case docket and find the final disposition after arrest.
Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and Scranton Records
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law provides public access to many types of government records. City of Scranton and Lackawanna County records generally fall under this law. Court records from the UJS follow the UJS Public Access Policy rather than the Right-to-Know Law directly.
Criminal investigative records held by the Scranton Police Department may be exempt from public access under Section 708(b)(16). This covers investigation materials, notes, and records that could interfere with active law enforcement actions.
If a records request is denied, the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records accepts appeals within 15 business days of the denial. The agency must prove the record is exempt from disclosure.
Scranton Court Contact Information
| Court | Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 North Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503 |
| County Website | lackawannacounty.org |
| UJS Portal | ujsportal.pacourts.us |
| PATCH System | epatch.pa.gov ($22 per check) |
| Judicial District | 45th Judicial District |
| County | Lackawanna County |
Lackawanna County Criminal Records
Scranton criminal cases are filed at the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas. The county records page provides additional contact details, access methods, and resources for Lackawanna County criminal history information.
Other Pennsylvania Cities
Criminal history records in other Pennsylvania cities are filed at their respective county Courts of Common Pleas. Browse record access resources for other cities across the state.