Franklin County Court Records Lookup

Franklin County Courts, PA *

Franklin County, located in south-central Pennsylvania, is bordered by the state of Maryland to the south and is nearly 772 square miles in size. It has a population of over 160,000 people who live and conduct business transactions within the county's 22 townships and 7 boroughs. The county seat of Franklin County is Chambersburg, and that is where most of Franklin County's court activities occur.

Residents, employers, landlords, and attorneys all turn to Franklin County courts when disputes arise in the county. From criminal charges and civil disputes to family law cases and landlord-tenant conflicts, Franklin County courts handle everything. Court records generated through legal proceedings in the county become the official documented history of a case. They're regularly used by background screeners, legal professionals, and individuals trying to understand where a case stands.

Overview of the Franklin County Court System

Franklin County's court system is part of Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System, which is the statewide legal system under which all courts in Pennsylvania operate. Since the Unified Judicial system operates throughout the state, filing requirements, management of cases, and court procedures in Franklin County work identically as they would in any other county of Pennsylvania.

Franklin County falls within the 39th Judicial District. Most court activity in the county takes place at the Franklin County Courthouse, where the Court of Common Pleas operates alongside key clerk offices such as the Clerk of Courts and the Prothonotary.

Types of Courts in Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Knowing which court takes a particular case is extremely important. The court system in Franklin County is essentially broken down between the trial-level courts and the local magisterial courts, and these courts are designed to deal with distinctly different matters. Filing in the wrong court can either lead to a dismissal or a transfer, which in turn will not only cost time but also money.

Court of Common Pleas

The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas is the court of general jurisdiction and the trial court for major legal issues. The court is located at the Franklin County Courthouse.

Jurisdiction includes:

• Felony criminal matters
• Major civil disputes
• Divorce and child custody
• Adoptions and juvenile delinquency
• Estate and guardianship matters
• Appeals from lower courts

The Court of Common Pleas hears the heavier, more serious legal cases, which range from felony charges and contested divorce to significant civil disputes. Court procedures are much more formal here; the cases take longer, and decisions carry greater consequences. Appeals from Magisterial District Court are sent here as well.

Magisterial District Courts

The Magisterial District Courts of Franklin County handle the vast majority of the common legal issues that occur on a daily basis within the county. There are seven of these courts located throughout the county, and the courts are all situated within the borough or township that they serve.

Jurisdiction includes:

• Summary offenses and minor misdemeanors
• Traffic violations, such as speeding tickets
• Small claims disputes
• Landlord-tenant matters
• Preliminary hearings for felony cases

These courts are faster, less formal, and deal with a high volume of cases. From a speeding ticket and a landlord trying to remove a non-paying tenant, to a neighbor dispute over property, these are the matters that land in this court. Felony cases start here, too, with a preliminary hearing, before moving up to the Court of Common Pleas.

How to Access Franklin County Court Records

The vast majority of court records in Franklin County are public and available to anyone who requests them. Certain documents are protected by state statutes due to the highly personal or confidential nature of their contents. This most often applies to juvenile cases, some family law matters, and filings that contain confidential medical details. Other than those, all records are open to the general public and may be retrieved online or in person at the courthouse. If a certified copy of a court record or document is desired, a small fee per page applies.

Online Access

Franklin County court records are accessed via the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's online portal. This database contains the dockets for the civil, criminal, and family cases and allows searching and monitoring of case status and hearing dates, as well as basic case filing information. Search accuracy depends on the detail provided by the user. Incorrect spelling or omitted data, such as case number, can result in incomplete search results, so it is generally best to have full legal names, case number, and an approximate timeframe for when a record might have been filed.

Alternative Online Options

State portals provide extensive case information, but it may be overwhelming to those unaware of the court that handled a particular case. Commercial databases such as CourtCaseFinder pull numerous public records across multiple jurisdictions into a single searchable database. And this platform contains everything from court cases, divorce decrees, arrests, and much more from all counties and states.

In-Person Requests

Records, particularly certified copies and older cases, can also be requested in person at the Franklin County courthouse. Criminal cases are obtained through the Clerk of Courts' office. On the other hand, Civil cases will be requested through the Prothonotary's office. Deeds, liens, mortgages, and any estate obtained from the Register and Recorder's office. The staff will ask for names, approximate dates, or the case number, as these details will speed up the retrieval process.

Archived Records

Older court records, or historical filings in Franklin County, may not be digitized and are often stored in physical archives or even on microfilm. And in this case, the Franklin County Archives and Records Management office is a good place to go, since it holds historic government documents for the county. Court clerks can point one in the right direction, as they have a vast knowledge of all the various records in the county.

For Attorneys and Legal Professionals

Any attorney who practices routinely in Franklin County knows the process. They know which clerk to contact, how the 39th Judicial District manages its hearing schedule, and where to find local rules. Any attorney from outside the district will need some time to get familiar with all these before making a filing.

The Pennsylvania Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure and any applicable local rules must be followed when filing in Franklin County. Attorneys can get procedural assistance through the Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary's office, though no legal advice can be given.

How to File a Case in Franklin County

Filing a case in Franklin County has to be done meticulously from the beginning. If an individual chooses the wrong court, leaves out information on the paperwork, or fails to meet deadlines, they may experience extensive delays. In some cases, the case may even be dismissed. Being prepared beforehand will definitely alleviate stress.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

The very first thing is to figure out whether one's upcoming case is to be handled by the Court of Common Pleas or a Magisterial District Court. More serious crimes, all cases involving major civil suits, and any family law cases generally begin in the Court of Common Pleas. Traffic offenses, small claims, and disputes between a landlord and tenant generally begin in a Magisterial District Court. Choosing the right court is very important because filing in the wrong court will lead to delays and transfers.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

After determining the correct court, one will need to fill out the necessary documents. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System provides court forms categorized by case type (civil, criminal, family, or estate). Take extra care to read all of the forms and fill in each section properly, as failing to completely fill out documents is the most frequent cause of filings being rejected. Even just one missing signature or attachment can delay a case for weeks.

Step 3: File the Case

Cases in Franklin County are mostly filed in person at the courthouse. Civil cases are filed with the Prothonotary and criminal cases with the Clerk of Courts. Some case types may allow e-Filing via PACFile, which is a state-wide e-Filing system. Self-filers may choose to e-File, but it is mandatory for attorneys. After filing successfully, a case number will be generated. The filer needs to keep that and the filing receipt, as both will be needed from that point on.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

Filing fees differ depending on the nature of the case and the court where it is filed. Civil matters, estates, and criminal filings will have a separate filing fee schedule. Anyone unable to pay the filing fee can request a fee waiver from the court by filling out an "in forma pauperis" form. A judge reviews the application and, if approved, the filing fees are waived partially or entirely. If denied, the fees must be paid before the case moves forward.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

After a case has been filed, the other side has to be officially notified. This is known as service of process and is mandatory. The service can be carried out by the Franklin County sheriff's office or a certified process server. Upon completion, the affidavit of service must be filed with the court as proof. If this step is not done, everything can be put on hold.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

Now that everything has been filed and the other party has been notified, the most important thing one must do is to keep up with the case. Use the case number assigned during filing to track, especially on the UJS Web Portal. There is no fee for accessing the docket on the web portal.

Franklin County Courthouse Directory

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Legal issues can be complex and intimidating, particularly for individuals unfamiliar with the legal system. Luckily, there are a number of local, state, and non-profit agencies that help residents of Franklin County learn about their legal rights and understand court processes. In certain situations, these agencies also provide direct legal representation.

Free Legal Assistance

Not all individuals facing a legal problem in Franklin County have the financial resources to hire a private attorney. There are organizations that offer free or low-cost legal services to eligible individuals in the county.

• Franklin County Legal Services (FCLS): Offers legal representation, advice, and education to low-income individuals and families in the county. FCLS focuses on domestic relations, housing, civil rights, and immigration matters.
• MidPenn Legal Services: Provides civil legal services to low-income individuals and survivors of domestic violence across 18 Pennsylvania counties, including Franklin County.

Local Legal Support

Volunteer attorney programs and legal aid clinics also play a role in connecting Franklin County residents with the legal help they need. The Franklin County Bar Association partners with both FCLS and MidPenn Legal Services (mentioned above) to connect eligible residents who meet the financial criteria with pro bono assistance. Their service runs Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is reachable at (800) 692-7375.

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