Find Criminal Records in Union County PA

Union County criminal records are held by the Clerk of Courts in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Union County is part of the 17th Judicial District, which it shares with neighboring Snyder County. The Court of Common Pleas handles felony, misdemeanor, and summary criminal cases filed in the county. With a population of roughly 44,000, Union County is home to Bucknell University and the Federal Correctional Institution at Lewisburg. You can search Union County criminal records through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal or contact the courthouse directly for copies.

Union County Clerk of Courts Office

The Union County Clerk of Courts office serves as the custodian of all criminal case records for the Court of Common Pleas. This is a combined office in Union County, handling both civil and criminal record functions. The courthouse is located in Lewisburg, the county seat. Staff can assist with in-person searches, docket copies, and certified document requests.

Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The office is closed on weekends and county holidays. Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page. Certified document copies cost more depending on the document type. Mail requests are accepted when you include the case information, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment. Cash, checks, and money orders are the standard payment methods.

Union County shares the 17th Judicial District with Snyder County. Digital records in the electronic system generally date back to 1988. Earlier records may exist only in paper archives at the Lewisburg courthouse. Staff can assist with locating older materials when needed.

The Union County government website at unioncountypa.org provides information on county offices, contact details, and services available to residents and researchers in Lewisburg.

Union County Criminal Records Online Search

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal gives free public access to criminal court records statewide, including Union County. The portal covers cases from the Court of Common Pleas and all Magisterial District Courts in the county. No account is needed and there is no cost to search.

Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us and search by participant name, docket number, OTN (Offense Tracking Number), or complaint number. Union County criminal cases use the docket format CP-60-CR-XXXXXX-YYYY. When searching by name, entering both first and last name gives the best results. Adding a date of birth helps when the name is common.

The portal returns docket entries, charges with Pennsylvania Crimes Code citations, case status, dispositions, sentence terms, attorney names, and judge assignments. Juvenile records and Protection from Abuse filings are restricted from public view on the portal. The Pennsylvania Courts website has more background on what is and is not publicly accessible through the statewide system.

Note: Court records and arrest records are different. The UJS Portal shows only court filings. Arrests that did not result in charges are not reflected in court records. Contact the arresting agency for those records.

Statewide Criminal History Checks Through PATCH

Pennsylvania's Access to Criminal History system, known as PATCH, is operated by the Pennsylvania State Police. It serves as the statewide repository for criminal history background checks covering all 67 counties, including Union County. PATCH is used by licensing agencies, volunteer organizations, courts, and individuals who need official criminal history information.

A standard PATCH check costs $22.00. Notarized results cost $27.00. Volunteer background checks are free using Form SP 4-164A but cannot be notarized. Submit requests online at epatch.pa.gov or by mail to Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository-164, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758. Call 1-888-QUERY-PA (1-888-783-7972) for help with the system.

About 85 percent of searches with no criminal history on file return results by email almost immediately. Records that require manual review take up to two weeks to process. PATCH reports list the subject's name and aliases, date of birth, charges, disposition codes, and sentence information. Records from other states, federal records, expunged records, and records sealed under Clean Slate do not appear on PATCH.

Union County Sheriff and Public Officials

The Pennsylvania Probation, Parole and Corrections Association maintains a directory of county criminal justice officials at papcca.org/public-officials. This includes the Union County Sheriff and other correctional staff. The sheriff's office handles courthouse security, civil process service, and county jail operations in Lewisburg.

The sheriff's office maintains records related to active warrants and jail bookings for Union County. For general criminal case information, the Clerk of Courts and the UJS Portal are the primary resources. The PATCH system covers criminal history across all agencies and is the best tool for a complete background check covering Union County.

Criminal Records in Union County: What They Contain

Union County criminal records are detailed court documents that follow a case from its initial filing through final resolution. Each record begins with identifying information for the defendant including full legal name, date of birth, address, and physical descriptors. The charges section lists each count with the specific statutory citation from Pennsylvania's Crimes Code and the offense grade.

The docket shows a chronological list of every event in the case. This includes preliminary arraignment dates, bail conditions, preliminary hearing outcomes, formal arraignment, pre-trial motions, and trial or plea proceedings. Disposition is listed with the method and date. Sentences show minimum and maximum incarceration periods, probation lengths, fines, court costs, and any restitution owed. Financial payment history is public information in Union County court records.

Common elements in a Union County criminal record include:

• Full legal name, date of birth, and physical description
• All charges with statute citations and offense grade
• Docket number and OTN for tracking purposes
• Complete hearing history and case events
• Final disposition and sentencing details
• Outstanding fines, costs, and restitution balances
• Attorney of record and presiding judge

Expungement and Record Sealing in Union County

Pennsylvania law provides two main ways to remove criminal records from public view: expungement and Clean Slate sealing. Both processes apply to qualifying Union County records. An expungement under 18 Pa.C.S. Section 9122 removes specific records from the court files and the State Police repository. Cases eligible for expungement include arrest records that did not result in conviction and certain summary offense convictions after a waiting period.

Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law creates automatic sealing for eligible records without requiring a court petition. Second and third degree misdemeanors and qualifying ungraded offenses may be sealed automatically after a ten-year conviction-free period, provided all fines and costs have been paid. The sealing removes the record from the public UJS Portal and PATCH checks but law enforcement retains access.

To pursue expungement in Union County, file a petition through the Clerk of Courts in Lewisburg. The court will schedule a hearing and notify the district attorney. If no objection is filed, the judge may grant the petition. Sealed records do not appear to the general public but remain accessible to courts, law enforcement, and certain licensed agencies under state law.

Note: Consult a Pennsylvania attorney to determine whether your Union County record qualifies for expungement or Clean Slate automatic sealing before filing any petition.

Nearby Counties

Union County is in central Pennsylvania and shares the 17th Judicial District with Snyder County. Neighboring counties each have their own Clerk of Courts and are accessible through the statewide UJS Portal.

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