Luzerne County Criminal Records
Luzerne County criminal records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The 11th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas handles all felony and misdemeanor prosecutions for Luzerne County. With a population of approximately 315,000 people, Luzerne County is one of the more populous counties in northeastern Pennsylvania. You can search Luzerne County criminal records online through the UJS Portal or request copies in person at the courthouse on North River Street in Wilkes-Barre.
Luzerne County Quick Facts
Luzerne County Clerk of Courts
Linda L. Friedeck serves as the elected Clerk of Courts for Luzerne County. Her office is the official custodian of all criminal records for the 11th Judicial District. Luzerne County uses a combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office, so both civil and criminal records are managed from the same location at the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre.
The office is located at 200 North River Street in Wilkes-Barre. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Phone inquiries go to 570-825-1585. Fax requests can be sent to 570-825-1761. Email contact is available at clerkofcourts@luzernecounty.org. Luzerne County criminal records date back to the county's founding in 1786, making this one of the older court records systems in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Self-service public access terminals are available at the courthouse. These terminals let you search case information at no cost before requesting copies. The clerk provides same-day service for readily available records and takes three to five business days for archived files. Bring a valid photo ID when visiting the courthouse in Wilkes-Barre.
| Office |
Luzerne County Clerk of Courts Linda L. Friedeck, Clerk of Courts 200 North River Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Phone: 570-825-1585 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | luzernecounty.org |
Luzerne County Courts Division
The Luzerne County Courts Division handles a broad range of functions within the 11th Judicial District. This includes criminal case processing, civil case management, fine and cost collection, bail processing, and the coordination of appeals from Magisterial District Courts to the Court of Common Pleas. All criminal proceedings in Luzerne County, from arraignment through sentencing and post-conviction review, generate records maintained by this division.
The courts division manages juvenile records separately from adult criminal records. Juvenile case files have restricted access under the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act and are not available through the public portal. For adult criminal records, anyone can request inspection under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Records involving active criminal investigations or sealed by specific court order are exceptions to this general rule of public access.
Note: Luzerne County's combined office means you can submit requests for criminal dockets, civil case records, and court filings all at 200 North River Street without visiting multiple offices.
Search Luzerne County Criminal Cases Online
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal provides free public access to Luzerne County criminal dockets 24 hours a day. The portal is maintained by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts and covers every county in the state. For Luzerne County, it includes records from the Court of Common Pleas and all Magisterial District Courts serving Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding communities.
Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us to search by participant name, docket number, or OTN. Results display defendant information, all charges with Pennsylvania Crimes Code citations, every hearing and proceeding, the assigned judge and attorneys, and the final case outcome. The system updates within 24 to 48 hours after court events. A free mobile app called PAeDocket is also available for searching Luzerne County records on a smartphone.
When searching by name, Luzerne County results may include multiple people with common names. Using a middle initial, date of birth, or docket number narrows results quickly. Docket numbers for Luzerne County Common Pleas criminal cases follow the CP-XX-CR format with the Luzerne County code included in the prefix.
Luzerne County Criminal Record Copy Fees
Requesting copies of Luzerne County criminal records involves fees set by Pennsylvania court rules and local schedule. Standard paper copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies, which carry the official court seal, cost between $10 and $25 depending on the document type and page count. Call the clerk at 570-825-1585 for a current fee estimate before your visit or before mailing payment.
Accepted payment methods at the Luzerne County Clerk of Courts office include cash, check, money order, and credit cards. Mail requests require a check or money order along with a clearly written description of the case, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a copy of your identification. Processing time for mail requests is typically the same as in-person requests, with archived files taking longer.
For statewide background checks that include Luzerne County, the PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov charges $22.00 for a standard check. Notarized results cost $27.00. Free volunteer checks are available using form SP 4-164A. PATCH searches the Pennsylvania State Police central repository, which receives submissions from Luzerne County courts and law enforcement agencies.
CHRIA and Luzerne County Criminal Records
Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act, CHRIA, codified at 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91, sets rules for how criminal history information can be collected, used, and shared throughout the state. CHRIA governs the entire lifecycle of records originating from Luzerne County agencies, from initial submission to the central repository through retention, disclosure, and eventual sealing or expungement.
The PATCH system is the official statewide criminal history tool in Pennsylvania. It searches the repository that includes Luzerne County arrests, charges, and dispositions submitted by local agencies and courts. Results are available online immediately for most no-record subjects. When a record is found, the report is mailed after a manual review process that takes two to four weeks.
Individuals can review their own Luzerne County records or the full PATCH report through the Individual Access and Review process. This requires submitting form SP 4-170 by mail with a fingerprint card. The fee is $20.00. This process allows you to verify the accuracy of your record and challenge any errors through the Pennsylvania State Police.
Record Sealing in Luzerne County
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Act provides automatic sealing for eligible misdemeanor convictions once a ten-year supervision-free period passes and all fines are paid. The Luzerne County Clerk of Courts processes these automatic sealings on a quarterly basis. Once sealed, a Luzerne County record no longer appears in public docket searches or in PATCH background check results.
Sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement, courts, and specific licensing boards under CHRIA. For records that do not qualify for automatic sealing, individuals may petition the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas for expungement under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122. Expungement applies to dismissed charges, acquittals, and completed ARD cases. If granted, the record is removed entirely rather than merely hidden from public view.
For help with expungement petitions or information about Clean Slate eligibility, visit pacourts.us for court forms and procedural instructions. Pennsylvania Legal Aid may also be able to assist Luzerne County residents who qualify based on income level.
Nearby Counties
Luzerne County sits in northeastern Pennsylvania in the Wyoming Valley. These nearby counties have their own clerk offices if you need records from a neighboring area.