Criminal records in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. LuzerneCourt.us provides quick access to public information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state court system portal, the Clerk of Judicial Records office, county law enforcement agencies, and the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history check system.
How to Search Criminal Records in Luzerne
There are several ways to search for criminal records — online, in person, and by mail. Here are step-by-step instructions for each.
Online Search
- LuzerneCourt.us — start here if you need public information on county criminal cases. You will need the person's full name or case number for the search.
- UJS Web Portal — the official portal of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. It allows searching for docket sheets by participant name, case number, date of birth, or calendar event. The search is free.
- PATCH (Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History) — the State Police system for criminal history checks. Suitable for official checks, including employment or volunteer activities. Full name and date of birth are required.
- Inmate/Parolee Locator — if the person is under the supervision of the state Department of Corrections, this tool will show the current location. Information is updated daily. County facility inmates are not displayed here.
In-Person Visit
Visit the Clerk of Judicial Records office in the Luzerne County Courthouse. According to Luzerne County Court Administration Rules (Rule 507), the court clerk maintains court records for public inspection. Terminals for self-search are usually available on-site.
Mail Request
A written request for criminal history through PATCH is submitted by mail to the Pennsylvania State Police if electronic submission is not possible. A request to the county court clerk can also be sent by letter — include the full name, date of birth, and case number (if known), along with payment.
What you need to start a search:
- Full first and last name
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Docket number, if known
Search Luzerne Criminal Cases by Case Number
In Pennsylvania, the case number (docket number) has a standard format consisting of several parts. A typical criminal case number looks like this:
CP-40-CR-0001234-2024
- CP — Court of Common Pleas
- 40 — Luzerne County code in the UJS system
- CR — case type: Criminal
- 0001234 — case serial number
- 2024 — year of filing
For cases at the magistrate district court level, the format is different — it starts with "MJ" instead of "CP," and the court code corresponds to a specific magistrate. If you have the full number, enter it into the UJS portal via the "Docket Number" option — this is the fastest way to find a specific case.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Luzerne
Each docket sheet contains detailed information about the case proceedings. Below are explanations of key elements.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the PA Criminal Code (e.g., 18 Pa.C.S. § 3502 — Burglary) |
| Severity Degree | Felony with gradation F1–F3, Misdemeanor M1–M3, or Summary offense |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend or drop individual charges during the case proceedings |
Case Status
- Active / Pending — the case is open, proceedings are ongoing
- Disposed — the court has made a decision: verdict, closure, or dismissal
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, including sentence execution
Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — initial court appearance, charges are announced
- Preliminary Hearing — the magistrate determines if there is enough evidence to send the case to the Court of Common Pleas
- Pre-Trial Conference — discussion between parties before the main trial
- Trial — substantive court hearing
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty verdict
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with probation conditions or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by court or plea agreement |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after substantive hearing |
| Dismissed | Case closed — prosecutor dropped charges or court dismissed the case |
| Nolle Prosequi | Prosecutor decided not to pursue the case |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Luzerne
Certified copies of criminal records are issued by the Clerk of Judicial Records in Luzerne County. These are official documents with the court seal, accepted by other institutions.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office in the courthouse. Bring valid photo ID (driver's license or passport).
- By Mail — send a written request with the full name, date of birth, case number (if known), purpose of the request, and payment in the form of a money order or certified check.
- Through PATCH — to obtain an official state-level criminal history certificate, use the PATCH system. The result is delivered electronically. There is a separate request category for volunteers.
Additional forms and documents from the Sheriff's Department are available on the forms and documents page of the county's official website.
Contact Information
For questions regarding arrest warrants, contact the Warrants Division of the Sheriff's Department.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Luzerne
Fees for criminal records are regulated by Pennsylvania law and court internal rules. Below are the main rates.
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal history check through PATCH (online) | $22.00 | According to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.; result usually available within minutes |
| Volunteer check through PATCH | Free | For individuals working without pay with children, elderly, or disabled persons |
| Copy of docket sheet (through UJS Portal) | Free | View and print online |
| Certified copy of court document | Depends on the number of pages | Contact the clerk for current rates; additional certification fee |
| Document copy (per page) | $0.25–$0.50 | May vary; check with the clerk's office |
Processing requests through PATCH usually takes minutes for online requests. Mail requests take longer — from 2 to 4 weeks. Certified copies from the clerk's office are typically prepared within a few business days for in-person requests. For requests under the Right-to-Know Law, timelines are set by the PA Office of Open Records — usually 5 business days with the possibility of extension up to 30 days.