Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Court Records

Upon the filing of judicial proceedings in Lawrence County, the presiding court creates a resulting file that serves as a comprehensive repository of all actions taken, documents submitted, and data documented throughout the litigation process. Pursuant to Pa. Code § 213.81, the court clerk bears responsibility for maintaining all case records and filings. Such records, known as court records, remain the property of the specific trial court where the matter was heard, with the presiding court determined by jurisdictional authority.

At times, a judicial file may incorporate separate documents maintained by other agencies, for example, in criminal proceedings where arrest reports may be integrated. These external records are often introduced as evidentiary filings to substantiate specific facts during litigation.

Are Lawrence County Court Records Public?

Yes. Access to court records created and filed in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is governed by common law, rather than the Pennsylvania Public Records Law. Under § 3 of the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System, and as reiterated in the commentary to Pa. Code § 213.81, case records are presumed to be open to the public.

However, § 7 of the Access Policy identifies certain information as confidential. Some of this information includes state identification numbers, details of minors, contact information of abuse victims, and financial account information.

What Information is Available in Lawrence County Court Records?.

The information one may find when searching for a Lawrence County court record depends on the type of search being performed, whether a detailed or summary case search. Some details included in a court record are

Case information

• Docket number
• Court type
• Case caption
• Case status
• Filing date
• Primary participation
• Date of birth
• County
• Court office
• Complaint number
• Incident number

Calendar event

• Event type
• Event status
• The date of the event
• The location of the event

Inquirers may also view the docket sheet, which contains additional details about a case.

Lawrence County Court Records Search

Several channels are available through which individuals may access public court records in Lawrence County:

Online Access

Instead of a separate case management system, the Pennsylvania Judicial System provides a statewide case search system, the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal, through which members of the public may access case information from the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts.

The judicial system also provides specialized eServices available only to users with a secure login and approved access, as well as a PAeDocket mobile application through which members of the public can conduct quick, simple searches of court cases or dockets. Searches can be executed using a case number, a participant's name, or an organization. One can also use any unique number associated with the case to search for its record. The application is free.

While remote access is generally available, a new case filed with the court may not be immediately available through the case management system or mobile application.

In-Person Access

If an online search does not meet an inquirer's needs or the inquirer simply prefers an in-person search, visiting the courthouse may be the best option. Members of the public can stop by the courthouse where the case was heard. With a unique identifying number associated with the case or the name of a participating party, the requester may be able to retrieve the record. On-site, requesters may also receive assistance from court staff in locating the requested records.

Mail Requests

Alternatively, requests can be sent to the Court of Common Pleas or the Magistrate District Court where the case was heard. Requesters are only required to provide as many case details as they can; a case number, in particular, helps make the search easier. Requesting a case record by mail incurs a fee for the record search and duplication service provided by the court.

Fees for Court Records in Lawrence County

Copying a Lawrence County court record, and sometimes searching for one, may incur a fee. While one may be able to perform a basic case search at no cost, searches that require court staff to spend considerable time or perform extensive work may incur a fee. The fees charged for copying a record typically depend on the type of record. For instance, copying a criminal court record may incur a $1.15 per page/document fee for a certified copy, a copy printout, or a docket sheet, and a $2.20 per page fee for a microfilm copy.

A fee schedule is generally provided by each court facility.

Lawrence County Courthouse Locations

Courts located in Lawrence County include the Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Court.

Court	Address	Contact	Jurisdiction	Cases Handled
Court of Common Pleas	Lawrence County Government Center 430 Court Street New Castle, PA 16101	Phone: (724) 656-2143 Fax: (724) 656-1988	Trial court of general jurisdiction, hearing both jury and non-jury cases	Major civil court cases, including professional liability, personal injury, and property disputes; Criminal cases involving felonies and misdemeanors; Family matters; and Appeals from lower courts.
Magisterial District Courts
Lawrence County Central Court	202 Milton Street New Castle, PA 16101	Phone: (724) 656-2290 Fax: (724) 656-2291	Trial court with limited jurisdiction	Civil claims of up to $12,000; Minor criminal cases; traffic cases; Landlord-tenant actions; and Some preliminary proceedings.
Magisterial District Court (53-1-01)	Lawrence County Government Center 430 Court Street New Castle, PA 16101	Phone: (724) 652-8555 Fax: (724) 652-8576
	607 Lawrence Avenue Ellwood City, PA 16117	Phone: (724) 752-1185 Fax: (724) 752-2155
Magisterial District Court (53-3-02)	4834 State Route 18 New Castle, PA 16102	Phone: (724) 667-8010 Fax: (724) 667-0377
Magisterial District Court (53-3-04)	3455 Wilmington Road New Castle, PA 16105	Phone: (724) 652-9615 Fax: (724) 652-3762

Criminal Records Access in Lawrence County

Pennsylvania has an official database that maintains criminal records forwarded by local law enforcement departments. This database, called Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH), is maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police. To retrieve a desired record, members of the public can follow these steps:

• Step 1: Register on PATCH, although this is not compulsory.
• Step 2: Complete the SP4-170 form and submit a request online, including a photocopy of a government-issued photo identification card.
• Step 3: Pay the $22 nominal fee, which is non-refundable.

Requests can also be submitted by mail to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) for a $20 nominal fee.

Access to criminal records is governed by 18 Pa C.S. 9152. Under this law, only the subject of a record and their legal representative can inspect such records.

The PSP does not provide authorized individuals with access to criminal case records because it is not the agency that maintains such records. Requests for criminal case records can be directed to the court that handled the case. Alternatively, the inquirer can search through the case management systems provided by the courts.

Lawrence County Probate Records

Under state law, probate records are public and accessible to interested persons; however, the Unified Judicial System's Case Records Public Access Policy provides exceptions.

Lawrence County probate matters are handled by the Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas, Orphans' Division; however, the Register of Wills handles the initial probate of wills. The Register of Wills also has jurisdiction to grant letters testamentary or letters of administration.

Lawrence County probate records are documents or files that contain records of probate proceedings and the administration of a deceased person's estate. These records may include will contests, caveats, intestate and testate estate administration, inheritance tax matters, conservatorships, and guardianships. Requests for Lawrence County probate records can be directed to the Court of Common Pleas through any of the judiciary's channels, using a party's name or a case number.

Lawrence County Family Court Records

Lawrence County domestic relations cases include divorce, custody, visitation, alimony, paternity, and spousal support matters. These cases are heard in the Court of Common Pleas. Records from family proceedings are a matter of public record.

To retrieve a family court record, whether a standard or certified copy, an inquirer may follow these steps:

• Step 1: Determine which channel, remote or on-site, provides the information sought, whether full case files, case summaries, or certified copies. For certified copies of a record, the inquirer may need to visit the courthouse.
• Step 2: Provide the required search information. Regardless of the request channel-online, in person, or by mail-the requester may use a party name or case number to search.

Federal Court Records in Lawrence County

The United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania handles federal cases for the counties within the district-Lawrence County is one of the counties whose cases fall within this district. Following the filing of a case, it is assigned a unique number and a file and becomes part of the federal court records.

Statutory provisions governing access to federal court records include the Judicial Conference policies on electronic public access, the First Amendment right of access, and the federal common-law right of access to judicial records. Under these provisions, members of the public have the right of access to federal court records.

The federal judiciary maintains a subscription-based federal case management system through which members of the public may access case records. This case management system, PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), requires users to register for an account and use a case party's name or case number to conduct the search. Use of the system is not always free.

If an inquirer does not find the record sought, even though it is public, they may contact the federal court clerk's office.