Lancaster County Criminal Records
What Is Lancaster County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Lancaster County are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies operating at the county, state, and federal levels.
Key distinctions among record types include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody based on probable cause; it does not indicate guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt entered by a court following a plea or trial verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor: Pennsylvania classifies criminal offenses by severity. Felonies (Grades F1–F3) carry potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration; misdemeanors (Grades M1–M3) carry lesser penalties. Both categories appear in county criminal records.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as adults are generally accessible to the public. Juvenile adjudication records are confidential under 42 Pa. C.S. § 6307, which restricts disclosure except in limited circumstances defined by statute.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders authorizing arrest and remain open until executed or recalled. Historical records document past charges, proceedings, and dispositions that have been resolved.
The principal agencies maintaining Lancaster County criminal records are the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office (arrests, bookings, and jail records), the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas (case filings, dockets, and dispositions), the Pennsylvania State Police (statewide criminal history repository), and municipal police departments operating within the county. Records encompass charges filed, arraignments, preliminary hearings, pleas entered, trial proceedings, sentencing orders, and any subsequent probation or parole supervision. Members of the public seeking court-related records may consult the Lancaster County Courts website for an overview of available offices and record divisions.
Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas 50 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 (717) 299-8282 Lancaster County Courts
Are Criminal Records Public In Lancaster County
Adult criminal records in Lancaster County are presumptively public under Pennsylvania law. The Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.301, establishes that records in the possession of a Commonwealth agency or local agency are public records unless a specific exemption applies. Court records are additionally governed by the Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration, which provide broad public access to docket entries, filed documents, and case dispositions.
What is currently accessible to the public:
- Adult conviction records, including charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentences
- Court docket entries for criminal proceedings in the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts
- Arrest logs and booking information maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- Active warrant information published by the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office
What is restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile adjudication records, sealed pursuant to 42 Pa. C.S. § 6307
- Records expunged by court order under 18 Pa. C.S. § 9122
- Active law enforcement investigative files where disclosure would jeopardize an ongoing investigation
- Certain victim and witness identifying information protected by court rule
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Lancaster County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Lancaster County criminal records through several official channels, depending on the type of record sought and the level of detail required.
Step 1 – Identify the appropriate agency. Court case records are held by the Clerk of Courts; statewide criminal history reports are maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police; arrest and jail records are held by the Sheriff's Office.
Step 2 – Search online portals first. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides a publicly accessible case search tool. Users may query by participant name, case number, OTN, or complaint number to retrieve docket information for Lancaster County proceedings.
Step 3 – Submit a formal records request if needed. For certified copies of court documents, requesters must contact the Clerk of Courts in person or by mail. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and any known case numbers. A per-page fee applies to certified copies.
Step 4 – Request a statewide background check through PATCH. The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system, administered by the Pennsylvania State Police, provides official criminal history reports. Requests may be submitted online or by mail with a completed SP4-164 form and applicable fee.
Step 5 – Appear in person for records not available online. Certain older records, sealed case indexes, and documents requiring certification must be retrieved at the Clerk of Courts public counter, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Lancaster County Clerk of Courts 50 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 (717) 299-8282 Clerk of Courts
Lancaster County Sheriff's Office 50 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 (717) 299-8219 Lancaster County Sheriff's Office
Pennsylvania State Police – PATCH Unit 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717) 783-5592 Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Background Check
How To Find Criminal Records in Lancaster County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to Lancaster County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit.
Unified Judicial System – UJS Case Search Portal The UJS Case Search portal allows members of the public to search active and historical dockets for the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. Users may search by participant last name and first name, county, judicial district, OTN, complaint number, or incident number. No registration is required. The portal returns docket entries, charge information, case status, and scheduled hearing dates. It does not provide access to sealed or expunged records.
Lancaster County Clerk of Courts Online Records The Clerk of Courts office serves as the chief filing office for criminal and juvenile records of the Court of Common Pleas. Online access to certain case indexes is available through the UJS portal; however, certified copies and complete case files must be requested in person or by mail.
Pennsylvania State Police – PATCH Online System The PATCH system provides statewide criminal history reports. Online submissions return results more rapidly than mail-in requests. A fee is assessed per subject searched. PATCH reports reflect convictions and dispositions recorded statewide, not solely Lancaster County.
Lancaster County Sheriff – Wanted Persons List The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office publishes a current list of wanted persons and most wanted fugitives through the Fugitive Apprehension Unit. This resource is updated regularly and is accessible without registration.
Can You Search Lancaster County Criminal Records for Free?
Pennsylvania law currently provides for free public inspection of court records. Under 65 P.S. § 67.301, agencies may not charge a fee solely for inspecting a public record; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following resources are available at no cost:
- UJS Case Search portal – Free online access to Lancaster County court dockets, case status, and charge information via the UJS Case Search tool
- In-person inspection at the Clerk of Courts – Members of the public may inspect original court files at the public counter without charge during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
- Wanted persons list – The Sheriff's Office publishes active fugitive information at no cost through the county's official website
- Court-related offices directory – General case and office information is accessible through the court-related offices page
Fees are assessed for certified copies of court documents (currently $1.00–$5.00 per page depending on document type), PATCH background check reports, and records requiring extensive staff research time.
What's Included in a Lancaster County Criminal Record?
A complete Lancaster County criminal record may contain information across several categories, depending on the nature and history of the case.
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Photograph (mugshot) taken at booking
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) and FBI number where assigned
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (municipal police department or Sheriff's Office)
- Booking number and jail facility
- Charges filed at arrest and bail or bond conditions set
Court Case Information
- Case number and court of jurisdiction (Court of Common Pleas or Magisterial District Court)
- Filing date and assigned judge
- Charges by statute, including felony or misdemeanor grade
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, nolo contendere)
- Attorney of record and representation status
Disposition
- Verdict or disposition (convicted, acquitted, nolle prossed, dismissed)
- Conviction date and sentencing order
- Sentence type and length (incarceration, probation, intermediate punishment)
- Fines, restitution, and special conditions imposed
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Probation or parole supervision status
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements under Megan's Law (42 Pa. C.S. § 9799.10 et seq.)
- DUI/DWI adjudications and related license actions
- Pending charges not yet adjudicated
How Long Does Lancaster County Keep Criminal Records?
Lancaster County retains criminal records in accordance with the Pennsylvania State Records Retention and Disposition Schedule and applicable court rules. Retention periods vary by record type and disposition outcome.
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony conviction case files | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor conviction case files | 10 years after sentence completion |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | 3 years, subject to expungement petition |
| Juvenile adjudication records | Until subject reaches age 18–21, then eligible for expungement |
| Magisterial District Court dockets | 5–10 years depending on disposition |
| Probation/parole supervision records | 5 years after supervision termination |
| Expunged records | Destroyed or returned upon court order |
Under 18 Pa. C.S. § 9122, individuals meeting eligibility criteria may petition for expungement of arrest records where no conviction resulted, or for summary offense convictions following a five-year arrest-free period. Upon entry of an expungement order, the Clerk of Courts, Sheriff's Office, and Pennsylvania State Police are each required to purge the subject record from their respective repositories. The Pennsylvania State Police serves as the central repository for statewide criminal history data and establishes minimum retention standards that county agencies must follow.
Lancaster County Clerk of Courts – Records Division 50 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 (717) 299-8282 Clerk of Courts