Monroe County Criminal History Pocono Region
Monroe County criminal history records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The county sits in the northeastern Pocono Mountains region and borders five neighboring counties. Residents, attorneys, 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 method for searching and obtaining records in Monroe County.
Monroe County Quick Facts
Monroe County Criminal History Records Overview
Criminal records in Monroe 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 Magisterial District Courts throughout the county. Standard docket entries include case filings, charges, arraignment dates, plea information, hearing records, and final case outcomes.
Some records are excluded from public access. Sealed cases, expunged records, juvenile proceedings, mental health matters, domestic relations records, and adoption files are withheld from standard searches. A court order may restrict access to additional records in specific cases. Verify critical findings directly with the Clerk of Courts.
Monroe County was established on April 1, 1836, from portions of Northampton and Pike Counties and was named for President James Monroe. The county is best known as the heart of the Pocono Mountains resort region, drawing millions of visitors each year for outdoor recreation, ski resorts, and water parks. Stroudsburg serves as the county seat and commercial hub.
Note: Online docket data from the UJS Portal may not reflect filings made within the past 24 hours. Time-sensitive matters should be verified at the courthouse.
How to Search Monroe County Criminal Records
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is the main free tool for searching Monroe County criminal history records online. Search by participant name, docket number, offense tracking number, or police incident number. Results include docket sheets from both the Court of Common Pleas and all Magisterial District Courts in Monroe County.
The UJS Case Search at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch provides direct access to the search function. Filter by county to narrow results to Monroe. Each docket sheet shows the court, presiding judge, all filings, and a complete log of case actions.
The Monroe County government website at monroecountypa.gov provides department contacts, court office information, and online services for criminal record access in the Pocono Mountain region.
For in-person requests, visit the Monroe County Courthouse at 610 Monroe Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360. The Clerk of Courts handles criminal division records. Bring valid photo identification and be prepared to pay applicable copy fees for certified documents.
Note: UJS Portal docket information is not a certified criminal history background check. Only the Pennsylvania State Police can provide a certified record through PATCH.
Monroe County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts in Monroe County is the official custodian of criminal court records for the Court of Common Pleas. The office receives and files all criminal case documents, maintains docket entries, processes appeals, administers bail matters, and collects court-imposed costs and fines. It also reports sentencing dispositions to state agencies as required by Pennsylvania law.
Monroe County holds regular Commissioner meetings and posts minutes, budget documents, and announcements on the county website. The county adopted its 2026 budget in November 2025 and is involved in a Countywide Property Reassessment Project. These activities reflect the county's commitment to open government under Pennsylvania law.
| Office | Monroe County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | Monroe County Courthouse, 610 Monroe Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 |
| Website | monroecountypa.gov |
| UJS Portal | ujsportal.pacourts.us |
| PATCH | epatch.pa.gov |
The Prothonotary at the same courthouse handles civil court records. For Right-to-Know requests directed at Monroe County government, contact the county's designated Open Records Officer. Appeals of denied requests can be filed with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov.
The UJS Portal Case Search provides free public access to Monroe County court dockets and criminal case information without visiting the Stroudsburg courthouse.
PATCH Background Checks in Monroe County
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system provides certified criminal background records for all 67 Pennsylvania counties, including Monroe. PATCH is operated by the Pennsylvania State Police and is available online at epatch.pa.gov. The cost is $22 per check, which is non-refundable. Notarization of a result costs an additional $5.
To submit online, visit the PATCH site, accept the terms, choose "Individual Request," enter the required name and personal information, and pay by credit or debit card. Most 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. Mail requests take longer to process than online submissions.
PATCH results and UJS docket searches serve different purposes. Court dockets show case filings and proceedings. PATCH provides a certified criminal record from the statewide law enforcement database. Only PATCH meets the legal standard for a certified background check in Pennsylvania.
What Monroe County Criminal Records Contain
Docket sheets from Monroe County show the case number, parties, charges filed, presiding judge, and a complete timeline of filings and court actions. Certified PATCH results go further. They include arrests, charge classifications, plea records, and sentencing details covering incarceration length, probation terms, 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, as are summary offense dispositions from Monroe County Magisterial District Courts. Expunged records are removed from all public databases and will not appear in any search.
The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts at pacourts.us oversees court record policies statewide and maintains the infrastructure behind the UJS Portal. The PAeDocket app, available on Apple and Google Play, offers mobile access to Monroe County docket sheets.
Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law in Monroe County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, Act 3 of 2008, applies to Monroe County government agencies and courts. Agencies must respond to written record requests within five business days. A failure to respond counts as a denial, and the requester may appeal to the Office of Open Records.
Under 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91, the Criminal History Record Information Act governs access to criminal background data in Pennsylvania. Section 708(b)(16) of the RTKL exempts active criminal investigation files, informant identities, and materials that could compromise ongoing prosecutions from public disclosure.
Appeals of denied RTK requests in Monroe County can be filed with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov. Mediation is available as an alternative to formal appeal.
Note: The burden of proving a record is exempt lies with the agency that received the request, not the person who submitted it.
Expungement of Monroe County Criminal Records
Pennsylvania law allows certain criminal records to be expunged through a petition filed with the Court of Common Pleas. When granted, the record is removed from public court databases and from the State Police criminal history repository. The Monroe County Clerk of Courts processes expungement orders and notifies required state agencies.
Common grounds for expungement include summary offense convictions where the person has been arrest-free for five years, charges that ended in acquittal or dismissal, and some arrests not resulting in conviction. Under CHRIA, the court must notify the State Police and relevant criminal justice agencies after entering an expungement order so all records are updated.
Individuals seeking to expunge a criminal record should consult an attorney familiar with Pennsylvania criminal law. The Clerk of Courts can provide procedural guidance but does not give legal advice.
Monroe County Magisterial District Courts
Magisterial District Courts in Monroe County handle the initial stages of criminal proceedings. These courts preside over summary offenses, preliminary arraignments, preliminary hearings for misdemeanors and felonies, DUI cases, and minor civil claims. Cases not resolved at the magisterial district level are transferred to the Court of Common Pleas for trial.
Records from all Monroe County Magisterial District Courts are searchable through the UJS Portal at no cost. Cases that advance to Common Pleas become part of the formal criminal record held by the Clerk of Courts. Both court levels appear in the UJS Case Search system.
Note: Monroe County's population has grown significantly due to migration from the New York metropolitan area, which has increased activity in both civil and criminal courts in recent years.
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and Monroe County
Individuals convicted of crimes in Monroe County and sentenced to state prison may be housed at any Pennsylvania Department of Corrections facility. The DOC operates correctional institutions across the state and provides an inmate locator for searching currently incarcerated individuals by name.
The DOC website at pa.gov/agencies/cor is the official source for inmate locator searches, visitation information, and details on correctional programs. The department focuses on housing, rehabilitation, and preparing individuals for return to their communities after release.
Nearby Counties
Monroe County borders five Pennsylvania counties in the northeastern region of the state. Search criminal history records for neighboring counties using the links below.