Lycoming County Criminal History in Pennsylvania
Lycoming County criminal history records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the Lycoming County Courthouse in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The county covers north-central Pennsylvania and is the largest county in the state by land area. Residents, legal professionals, and researchers can access criminal records through the courthouse, the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal, or the PATCH system operated by the Pennsylvania State Police. This page explains each path for obtaining records.
Lycoming County Quick Facts
Lycoming County Criminal History Records Overview
Criminal records in Lycoming County are public documents under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law and the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System. They cover cases handled by the Court of Common Pleas and the county's Magisterial District Courts. Typical docket entries include case filings, charges, plea information, hearing dates, and final case outcomes such as conviction, acquittal, or dismissal.
Some records are withheld from public access. Sealed cases, expunged records, juvenile proceedings, mental health matters, and adoption files are not available through standard public searches. A court order may also limit access to specific records in individual cases. Verify critical information directly with the Clerk of Courts.
Williamsport is known as the Birthplace of Little League Baseball. The city hosts the Little League World Series each summer and draws visitors from across the country. Lycoming County's vast land area covers forests, rivers, and rural communities stretching across north-central Pennsylvania.
Note: Online docket data from the UJS Portal may lag actual court filings by 24 hours or more.
How to Search Lycoming County Criminal Records
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is the main free resource for searching Lycoming County criminal history records online. You can search by participant name, docket number, offense tracking number, or police incident number. Results cover both the Court of Common Pleas and all Magisterial District Courts in Lycoming County.
The UJS Case Search at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch gives direct access to the search function. Filter results by county to limit returns to Lycoming. Each docket sheet shows the court, presiding judge, all filings, and key hearing dates.
The Lycoming County government website at lycomingcounty.org provides links to court offices, department contacts, and online services relevant to criminal record access in the county.
For in-person requests, visit the Lycoming County Courthouse at 48 West Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701. The Clerk of Courts office handles criminal division records. Bring valid photo identification and be prepared to pay applicable fees for copies or certified documents.
Note: UJS Portal docket information should not be used as a substitute for a certified PATCH background check from the Pennsylvania State Police.
Lycoming County Clerk of Courts
The Lycoming County Clerk of Courts is the official record keeper for the criminal division of the Court of Common Pleas. The office receives and files criminal case documents, maintains docket entries, processes appeals to the Superior and Commonwealth Courts, and administers bail matters. It also collects court-imposed costs, fines, and restitution as ordered by the court.
| Office | Lycoming County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | Lycoming County Courthouse, 48 W. Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701 |
| Website | lycomingcounty.org |
| UJS Portal | ujsportal.pacourts.us |
| PATCH | epatch.pa.gov |
The Prothonotary at the same courthouse maintains civil court records. Right-to-Know requests directed at Lycoming County government should be sent to the county's designated Open Records Officer. Appeals of denied requests can be filed with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.
The Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal provides free public access to Lycoming County criminal dockets and case information without the need to visit the courthouse in Williamsport.
PATCH Background Checks in Lycoming County
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system provides certified statewide criminal background records, including those for Lycoming County. PATCH is operated by the Pennsylvania State Police and is available to the public online at epatch.pa.gov. The cost is $22 per check, which is non-refundable. An optional notarization of the result costs an additional $5.
To submit online, visit the PATCH website, accept the terms, choose "Individual Request," enter the required information, and pay by credit or debit card. Most online results return within minutes. Mail requests are also accepted using Form SP 4-164, sent to the PA State Police Central Repository at 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758.
PATCH results and UJS docket searches serve different purposes. Court dockets show case filings and proceedings. A PATCH result is a certified criminal history from the statewide law enforcement database. Only PATCH can produce a record that meets the legal standard for a certified background check.
What Lycoming County Criminal Records Contain
Docket sheets from Lycoming County show the case number, all parties, charges filed, presiding judge, and a full timeline of filings and court actions. Certified criminal history records from PATCH go further. They cover arrests, charge classifications, plea records, and sentencing details such as incarceration length, probation, fines, restitution, and community service.
Records note whether a case ended in conviction, acquittal, or dismissal. Active bench warrants and Protection from Abuse orders may appear in certain searches. Felony and misdemeanor convictions are included in PATCH results along with summary offense dispositions from Magisterial District Courts. Expunged records are removed from all public databases.
The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts at pacourts.us oversees court record policies statewide and maintains the infrastructure behind the UJS Portal used to search Lycoming County records.
Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law in Lycoming County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, enacted as Act 3 of 2008, governs public access to government records in Lycoming County and across the state. Agencies must respond to written record requests within five business days. A failure to respond within that window is treated as a denial, and the requester may file an appeal.
Under 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91, the Criminal History Record Information Act sets rules for who may obtain criminal background data and for what purposes. Section 708(b)(16) of the RTKL exempts active criminal investigation files, informant identities, and materials that could undermine prosecutions from public disclosure.
Appeals of denied RTK requests in Lycoming County can be sent to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov. Mediation is available as an alternative to formal appeals and can often resolve disputes more quickly.
Note: The burden of proving a record is exempt lies with the agency that received the request, not with the person who filed it.
Expungement of Lycoming County Criminal Records
Pennsylvania law permits expungement of certain criminal records through a petition filed with the Court of Common Pleas. When a judge grants the petition, the record is removed from public court databases and the State Police criminal history file. The Lycoming County Clerk of Courts processes these orders and notifies the necessary state agencies.
Grounds for expungement include summary offense convictions where the person has been free from arrest for five consecutive years, charges that resulted in acquittal or dismissal, and some arrests not resulting in conviction. Under CHRIA, the State Police and all relevant criminal justice agencies must be notified after an expungement order is entered to ensure records are updated across all systems.
Lycoming County Magisterial District Courts
Magisterial District Courts in Lycoming County handle the initial stages of criminal proceedings. They preside over summary offenses, preliminary arraignments, preliminary hearings for misdemeanors and felonies, and DUI matters. Minor civil claims are also heard at this level. Cases not resolved at the magisterial level are transferred to the Court of Common Pleas.
Records from all Lycoming County Magisterial District Courts are searchable through the UJS Portal at no cost. Each district maintains its own dockets, and cases transferred to Common Pleas become part of the formal criminal record held by the Clerk of Courts. Both levels of court dockets appear in the UJS Case Search system.
Note: The number of Magisterial District Courts in Lycoming County reflects the county's large geographic size, with multiple districts spread across the county to serve its rural population.
Nearby Counties
Lycoming County borders six Pennsylvania counties across north-central PA. Search criminal history records for neighboring counties using the links below.