Lebanon County Criminal Records Search

Lebanon County criminal history records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the Lebanon County Courthouse in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The county sits in southeastern Pennsylvania and is part of the broader Dauphin-Lebanon judicial region. Residents and researchers can access criminal records through the county courthouse, the statewide Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal, or the PATCH system operated by the Pennsylvania State Police. This guide explains each access path in plain terms.

Lebanon County Criminal History Records Overview

Criminal records in Lebanon County are public documents under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law and the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System. They cover proceedings in the Court of Common Pleas and the county's Magisterial District Courts. Typical entries include case filings, docket numbers, charges, plea information, sentencing orders, and case outcomes such as conviction, acquittal, or dismissal.

Some records are not open to the public. Sealed records, expunged cases, juvenile proceedings, mental health matters, and adoption files are withheld from standard public searches. A court order may restrict access to additional materials on a case-by-case basis. Users who need verified information should confirm findings with the Clerk of Courts rather than relying solely on an online search.

Lebanon County is known for its Pennsylvania Dutch heritage and rural character. The county lies between the Susquehanna and Schuylkill river valleys, and Lebanon city serves as both the county seat and its largest municipality.

Note: Online docket data may lag actual filings by 24 hours or more. Time-sensitive needs are best handled in person at the courthouse.

How to Search Lebanon County Criminal Records

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is the primary free tool for searching Lebanon County criminal history records online. You can search by participant name, docket number, or offense tracking number. Results include docket sheets for Courts of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts across all 67 Pennsylvania counties, including Lebanon.

The UJS Case Search at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch provides direct access to the search function. Enter a full or partial name and filter results by county to narrow your search to Lebanon. Each docket sheet lists the court, presiding judge, filings, hearing dates, and other case actions.

The UJS Case Search portal provides free public access to Lebanon County criminal dockets without a trip to the courthouse.

For in-person requests, visit the Lebanon County Clerk of Courts at the Lebanon County Courthouse on Cumberland Street in Lebanon, PA. Bring valid photo identification. Copy fees apply for certified documents.

Note: Docket sheet information from the UJS Portal does not constitute a certified background check. Only the Pennsylvania State Police can issue a certified criminal history record.

Lebanon County Clerk of Courts

The Clerk of Courts in Lebanon County manages criminal court records for the Court of Common Pleas. This office receives and files all criminal case documents, tracks docket entries, processes appeals to higher courts, handles bail administration, and collects court-imposed costs and fines. It is also responsible for forwarding sentencing data to state agencies as required by law.

The Prothonotary at the same courthouse handles civil court records. For Right-to-Know requests directed to Lebanon County government, contact the county's designated Open Records Officer. Appeals of denied requests go to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov.

The Pennsylvania State Police administers the PATCH system, which is the official source for certified criminal background checks covering Lebanon County and all of Pennsylvania.

PATCH Background Checks for Lebanon County

The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system provides certified criminal background records for any person in Pennsylvania, including Lebanon County residents. PATCH is available online at epatch.pa.gov and costs $22 per check. The fee is non-refundable regardless of whether a record is found.

To submit a PATCH request online, visit the PATCH site, accept the terms of service, choose "Individual Request," and enter the required name and personal information. Payment is made by credit or debit card at the time of submission. Most results are returned within minutes for online requests.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send completed Form SP 4-164 along with a check or money order for $22 payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Mail to: PA State Police Central Repository - RCPU, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758. Mail requests take longer to process.

What Lebanon County Criminal Records Contain

Court dockets from Lebanon County show the case number, parties, charges, assigned judge, and a log of all filings and court actions. Certified criminal history records from the State Police go further. They include arrest data, charge classifications, plea records, and sentencing details such as incarceration length, probation terms, fines, restitution, and any community service requirements.

Records note whether a case ended in conviction, acquittal, or dismissal. Active bench warrants and Protection from Abuse orders may show up in certain searches. Felony and misdemeanor convictions appear in PATCH results, along with summary offense dispositions from Magisterial District Courts. Cases that were expunged by court order will not appear in public searches.

The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts oversees record policies statewide. Their website at pacourts.us provides guidance on accessing docket sheets and understanding court record formats.

Lebanon County Right-to-Know and Open Records

Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, enacted as Act 3 of 2008, governs public access to government records in Lebanon County and across the state. Agencies must respond to written record requests within five business days. If no response arrives by the deadline, the request is automatically considered denied, and the requester may appeal.

Under 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91, the Criminal History Record Information Act sets rules for who may access criminal background data and for what purposes. Section 708(b)(16) of the RTKL exempts certain active criminal investigative records from disclosure, including investigation materials, informant identities, and records that could compromise ongoing prosecutions.

Appeals of denied Right-to-Know requests in Lebanon County can be filed with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. Mediation is available as an alternative to a formal appeal and is often faster. The OOR can be reached at openrecords.pa.gov.

Note: The burden of proving that a record is exempt falls on the agency, not on the person making the request.

Expungement of Lebanon County Criminal Records

Pennsylvania law provides a path to expunge certain criminal records through the Court of Common Pleas. When a judge grants an expungement order, the record is removed from public court databases and the State Police repository. The Clerk of Courts in Lebanon County processes these orders and notifies the State Police to update their records.

Common grounds for expungement include summary offense convictions where the person has remained arrest-free for five consecutive years, charges that resulted in acquittal or were dropped, and some first-time offenses under limited circumstances. Under 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91, the court must notify the State Police and any relevant criminal justice agencies after an expungement order is entered.

Individuals seeking expungement should consult an attorney familiar with Pennsylvania criminal procedure. The Clerk of Courts office can provide procedural information but cannot give legal advice.

Lebanon County Magisterial District Courts

Magisterial District Courts in Lebanon County handle the first stage of criminal proceedings. These courts preside over summary offenses, preliminary arraignments, preliminary hearings for misdemeanors and felonies, DUI cases, and minor civil claims up to a set dollar limit. They are the entry point for most criminal cases before potential transfer to the Court of Common Pleas.

Records from Lebanon County Magisterial District Courts are searchable through the UJS Portal at no cost. Each magisterial district maintains its own docket records, which are forwarded to the Common Pleas Clerk of Courts when a case moves up. Dockets from both court levels appear in the UJS Case Search system.

The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts maintains the UJS Portal, which provides free public access to Lebanon County Magisterial District Court and Common Pleas Court dockets.

Note: Cases that begin at the magisterial district level and advance to Common Pleas become part of the formal criminal record maintained by the Clerk of Courts.

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and Lebanon County

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections houses individuals convicted of crimes across the state. Lebanon County residents sentenced to state incarceration may be housed at any state correctional facility in Pennsylvania. The DOC inmate locator allows anyone to search for a currently incarcerated person by name.

The DOC website at pa.gov/agencies/cor provides inmate locator access, information on visitation, and details on correctional programs. The department operates facilities around the clock and offers education and treatment programs to prepare individuals for return to their communities.

Nearby Counties

Lebanon County shares borders with several Pennsylvania counties. Search criminal history records for neighboring counties using the links below.

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