Delaware County Criminal History and Court Records
Delaware County criminal history records are maintained by the Office of Judicial Support at the Delaware County Courthouse in Media, Pennsylvania. The county is part of the 32nd Judicial District and sits in southeastern Pennsylvania, bordered by Philadelphia, Chester, and Montgomery counties, as well as New Jersey to the east. Residents and researchers can access criminal history through the county's court offices, the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal, or the PATCH system run by the Pennsylvania State Police.
Delaware County Quick Facts
Delaware County Criminal History Records Overview
Delaware County criminal history records document all court proceedings and case outcomes within the 32nd Judicial District. These records include dockets, charges, hearing dates, plea entries, sentencing data, and final dispositions. Both the Court of Common Pleas and the county's multiple Magisterial District Courts generate and maintain these records.
The Court of Common Pleas in Delaware County handles Criminal, Civil, Family, and Orphans' divisions. The Criminal Division is administered by the Office of Judicial Support, led by Director Mary J. Walk, Esquire, at the Government Center Building, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063. The Criminal Division is responsible for processing all case files from local District Justices and maintains those records through trial and beyond.
Most court records in Delaware County are public under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law and the Unified Judicial System's Public Access Policy. Records not available to the public include juvenile files, sealed court orders, expunged records, mental health matters, and adoption proceedings.
Note: The Criminal Division's page on the county website was last updated September 26, 2025. Contact the office directly to confirm current procedures and hours.
How to Search Delaware County Criminal Records
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is the primary free tool for searching Delaware County criminal records online. It covers all Pennsylvania courts, including the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas and all local Magisterial District Courts. Users can search by participant name, docket number, or other case identifiers without creating an account.
The county's own court system page at delcopa.gov/courts provides contact details for each court office, including the Office of Judicial Support, the Register of Wills, and the County Clerk. It lists phone numbers and office locations so residents can reach the right office quickly.
The Delaware County court system page provides contact information for each court office, including the Criminal Division at the Government Center in Media.
The Criminal Division's docket page is accessible at delcopa.gov/ojs/criminal-dockets. This page provides information on how the Criminal Division manages case files and how the public can access them. For specialized courts, Delaware County also operates a Veterans Court and a Drug Court for eligible offenders.
The Delaware County Criminal Dockets page provides details on how the Office of Judicial Support manages and provides access to criminal case records.
For in-person requests, the courthouse is at 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063. Sharon A. Scattolino serves as County Clerk at Government Center, Room 206, and can be reached at 610-891-4260.
Note: Online docket data is not a substitute for a certified criminal history record. Only the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system issues official certified background checks.
Delaware County Clerk of Courts and Office of Judicial Support
Delaware County uses the Office of Judicial Support to administer its court records functions. The Clerk of Courts handles most court-related matters including filing motions and petitions, processing bail, issuing licenses for private detectives, processing appeals, and receiving payment of fines and fees. All case files processed by local District Justices move through this office.
| Office | Office of Judicial Support - Criminal Division |
|---|---|
| Director | Mary J. Walk, Esquire |
| Address | Government Center Building, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063 |
| County Clerk | Sharon A. Scattolino, Room 206, 610-891-4260 |
| Register of Wills | Vincent A. Rongione, Esq., 610-891-4400 |
| County Website | delcopa.gov |
Magisterial District Judges in Delaware County preside over preliminary hearings, summary offenses, and civil suits up to $12,000. Delaware County has multiple Magisterial District Courts located across the county to handle these initial proceedings.
Delaware County District Attorney Open Records
The Delaware County District Attorney's office manages open records requests for criminal investigative records. All such requests must be submitted in writing using the standard Pennsylvania Office of Open Records form, mailed or emailed to the designated Open Records Officer.
Open Records Officer Geoff Paine can be reached at 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063, phone 610-891-4241, or by email at paineg@co.delaware.pa.us. Note that this process applies only to records within the possession of the District Attorney. County-wide records requests go to a different officer.
The Delaware County DA's office has created specific instructions and application forms for seeking criminal history investigative information under CHRIA. This includes records for crime victims or defendants in civil actions who need criminal history investigative data for use in actual or potential civil proceedings. More information is available at delcoda.com/open-records-request.
The Delaware County District Attorney's Office open records page outlines procedures for requesting criminal investigative records, including contact information and appeal rights.
Denied requests may be appealed to Douglas A. Rhoads, Assistant District Attorney, at OpenRecordsDAappeal@co.delaware.pa.us. Appeals must be filed within 15 days of the denial. If no final determination is made within 30 days of the appeal, it is deemed denied by operation of law, and an appeal may then be filed in the Court of Common Pleas within 30 days.
PATCH Background Checks in Delaware County
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History system, PATCH, is the official source for certified criminal background checks. It is operated by the Pennsylvania State Police and available at epatch.pa.gov. The fee is $22 per check, non-refundable.
To submit online, visit the PATCH site, click "Submit a New Records Check," accept the terms, choose "Individual Request," enter the required information, and pay by credit or debit card. Results are returned through the secure portal. Mail submissions using Form SP 4-164 are sent to the State Police Central Repository, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758.
PATCH draws from the statewide repository and covers arrests and convictions from all 67 Pennsylvania counties. It is the most complete tool available for a full Pennsylvania criminal background check, including records originating in Delaware County courts.
Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and Delaware County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, Act 3 of 2008, gives residents access to most government records. Agencies must respond within five business days of receiving a written request. A missed deadline is treated as a denial by operation of law.
Section 708(b)(16) of the RTKL protects criminal investigative records when disclosure could harm an ongoing investigation, endanger a witness, compromise a prosecution, or hinder an arrest. Records from active investigations at the Delaware County District Attorney's office fall under this exemption.
The Criminal History Record Information Act, at 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91, governs access to criminal history data. It sets out who may request records and for what purposes. These rules apply to both PATCH requests and direct requests to court offices. Appeals of denied county-level RTK requests go to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov.
Expungement of Delaware County Criminal Records
Pennsylvania law allows certain criminal records to be expunged under conditions set out in 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91. A petition must be filed with the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas in Media. If granted by a judge, the record is removed from public court access and the State Police are directed to purge it from their criminal history repository.
Eligible cases include summary offense convictions after five years with no further arrest, charges resulting in acquittal or dismissal, and some arrests with no charges filed. The Office of Judicial Support processes expungement orders and coordinates with the Pennsylvania State Police on record removal.
Note: Individuals seeking expungement in Delaware County should consult an attorney and contact the Office of Judicial Support in Media for procedural guidance specific to their case.
Cities in Delaware County
Delaware County includes several municipalities. The largest unincorporated community in the county is Upper Darby, which borders Philadelphia and has its own distinct identity and local government. Criminal cases from Upper Darby are handled through the Delaware County court system.
Nearby Counties
Delaware County borders several counties in southeastern Pennsylvania and shares borders with New Jersey. Search criminal history records for neighboring counties using the links below.