Union County Court Records Lookup

Union County Courts, PA *

Nestled in Central Pennsylvania, Union County neighbors Snyder, Clinton, Northumberland, and Lycoming counties. It was created in 1813 after some territory was divided from Northumberland County. The county seat and administrative center of Union County is Lewisburg, which took over the role from New Berlin in 1855.

Lewisburg is home to the Union County Courthouse, where major judicial operations take place. Because the courthouse hosts the Court of Common Pleas, it welcomes residents looking to resolve legal matters such as criminal, civil, family law, and probate cases. People also visit the courthouse to request court records from the Prothonotary and Union County Clerk of Courts' offices.

Overview of the Union County Court System

Union County is part of the 17th Judicial District, which also comprises Snyder County. Both Union and Snyder County operate under a unified judicial system, meaning the judge of each county's Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction over both counties. To minimize inefficiencies, the two judges coordinate judicial assignments and calendars.

Courts in Union County are under the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania (UJS), a state court system designed to facilitate centralized management across all judicial districts. As such, these institutions follow state procedural rules when presiding over cases and managing court records.

Types of Courts in Union County, Pennsylvania

Union County has a two-tier judicial structure that constitutes the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. Residents usually fall back on these courts when seeking justice for various offenses, including assault, domestic violence, hit-and-run accidents, traffic violations, child abuse, murder, and manslaughter. Since these institutions preside over different types of cases, it is advisable that residents learn more about them and how they operate. Here's a breakdown of Unity County courts and their jurisdiction.

Court of Common Pleas

Union County's Court of Common Pleas is a trial court with general jurisdiction over civil, criminal, family law, and juvenile matters.

Jurisdiction includes:

• Felonies
• Major civil suits
• Divorce cases
• Child custody and support cases
• Juvenile delinquency cases

Because the 17th Judicial District constitutes both Union and Snyder counties, the former's Court of Common Pleas can handle legal matters arising from the latter, including appeals from lower courts. Sometimes, this unified judicial structure creates a large caseload, so the Court of Common Pleas usually conducts civil trials quarterly. However, criminal cases such as misdemeanors and felonies are heard as soon as necessary, primarily because criminal defendants in Pennsylvania have a claim to a speedy trial, as per the state's Rule of Criminal Procedure 600. The Court of Common Pleas also hears family law matters on an ongoing basis.

Magisterial District Courts

Magisterial District Courts are typically the first level of the Union County court system, so most residents file their cases there. And if unsatisfied with the court rulings, they can file an appeal with the Union County Court of Common Pleas.

Magisterial District Courts hear cases such as:

• Minor criminal matters
• Civil claims of up to $12,000
• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Traffic tickets

Union County has two Magisterial District Courts, which also conduct preliminary hearings for serious offenses such as murder. But unlike the Court of Common Pleas, these courts' jurisdiction is limited to Union County, so their judges cannot hear cases filed in Snyder County's Magisterial District Courts. This also means that if a plaintiff is filing a case in a Union County Magisterial District Court, they must be a resident of the county or their business must be located within the county. At the same time, the crime involved must have taken place in Union County.

How to Access Union County Court Records

Union County residents have access to most court records, thanks to Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, which was enacted in 2008 and became effective in 2009. That said, some court records may be restricted from public access due to statutory and privacy reasons. And viewing them may be limited to authorized individuals, unless one files a formal petition with a relevant court or office requesting access. Nonetheless, Union County residents have multiple options when searching for court records.

Online Access

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) Web Portal enables residents to retrieve a range of Union County court case records, including civil, criminal, family law, and appellate cases. These records can be for the Magisterial District Courts, the Courts of Common Pleas, or even appellate courts such as the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Users can conduct searches by offense tracking number, participants' names, or docket number. Alternatively, Union County residents can use the PAeDocket mobile app to search for court records online. Compatible with iOS and Android devices, this software provides both case summaries and detailed court case information for all Union County courts.

Alternative Online Options

Third-party platforms such as CourtCaseFinder can also be quite helpful when looking up Union County court records. A majority of these websites provide easy and instant access to important court case information, ranging from property and civil records to criminal, divorce, and traffic cases across multiple jurisdictions, counties, and states. They also have advanced search filters to help users narrow the results by date range and jurisdiction.

In-Person Requests

Residents who are unable to find court records online or need certified copies should visit the Union County Courthouse in Lewisburg. For cases heard by the Court of Common Pleas, the Prothonotary and County Clerk of Courts' offices offer access to civil and criminal court records, respectively. To request specific court case information, residents should provide the correct docket number, which can be obtained from the UJS Web Portal. Additionally, Union County residents can visit the Magisterial District Courts handling their cases and request court records from their judicial clerks.

Archived Records

Some older Union County court records might not be available online. Residents can make in-person requests at the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office, which maintains civil and criminal court records dating back to the 1880s. Another option includes the Pennsylvania State Archives, which keeps microfilmed records. In most cases, written requests are not required to access these archived files, but they may be mandatory for those making voluminous inquiries. Written requests can also prevent delays, allowing residents to receive the court records they need sooner rather than later.

For Attorneys and Legal Professionals

Attorneys and legal professionals from Union County, Snyder County, and other jurisdictions should use the UJS Web Portal as their main source of court records. Basic searches are free, and one doesn't even need to create an account to view the court information they want. However, obtaining digital copies of some court records may require contacting the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office, which may charge fees.

Knowing where and how to access court records in Union County is not enough for those seeking a smooth experience. Attorneys should gather all relevant case information, such as party names, case type, trial dates, and case number, to expedite court record retrieval and maintain accuracy as well as credibility.

How to File a Case in Union County

The process of filing a case is easy, even for first-timers, if they know the specific steps to follow.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

Courts serving Union County residents include the Court of Common Pleas and two Magisterial District Courts. Whether one should file their case in the former or the latter may depend on the seriousness of their legal matter. For small claims under $12,000, for instance, residents should file the case in one of Union County's Magisterial District Courts. But for major criminal offenses such as murder, residents should turn to the Court of Common Pleas.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

Once residents choose a court with jurisdiction over their legal matters, they should complete the necessary paperwork. The Union County Court of Common Pleas' website provides forms to file civil, criminal, juvenile, and other types of cases. People can also request forms to file traffic appeals, landlord-tenant disputes, and small claims at Union County's Magisterial District Courts. Additionally, the UJS Web Portal provides downloadable forms for a range of legal proceedings.

Step 3: File the Case

Union County residents and legal professionals can file cases in person, by mail, or online. Small claims below $12,000 should be filed in person or by mail at the Union County Magisterial District Court where the plaintiff resides, their business is located, or the incident occurred. On the other hand, if a civil case exceeds $12,000, it must be filed by mail or in person at the Court of Common Pleas through the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts' office. Additionally, the Court of Common Pleas accepts e-filing for specific criminal cases through the UJS Web Portal's PACFile system.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

In Union County, a case can proceed to the next step only after the plaintiff has paid the required filing fees. These fees are usually paid to the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts' office at the Union County Courthouse or the Magisterial District Court that will hear the legal matter. Note that for electronic filings, fees are paid via the PACFile System. Union County residents who cannot afford the required filing costs may request a waiver through the In Forma Pauperis (IFP) process.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

Union County courts typically address filed cases after the plaintiffs serve the defendants. The server and the serving methods may depend on the court handling the legal matters. For instance, the Union County sheriff serves defendants in cases filed with both the Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts. Serving can also be done via mail or in person. For legal matters heard by the Court of Common Pleas, a person (18 years or older) who is not a party to the case can also perform the serving process by hand delivering the serving papers to a competent adult at the defendant's residence. After completing the service, the plaintiff must file proof of service with the court hearing the case to prevent its dismissal.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

Monitoring a case after filing can help attorneys and other parties involved to maintain procedural compliance and avoid missing important court deadlines. It also aids in tracking motions, discovery processes, and settlement negotiations. In turn, this can help legal professionals prepare for trial by adjusting strategies. Search by court dates, docket number, and participant's name in the UJS Portal for active cases.

Union County Courthouse Directory

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

A number of local and state-provided legal resources are available to help Union County residents resolve various legal disputes.

Free Legal Assistance

Dealing with legal issues can be stressful for many Union County residents. Those with housing, family law, and public benefits cases can turn to North Penn Legal Services, which serves up to 20 counties, including Union, Snyder, Tioga, Columbia, and Wayne. The organization offers free civil legal aid for low-income Union County residents and victims of domestic violence. Through its online portal PALawHELP, the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) also provides civil legal assistance to low-income earners in Union County.

Local Legal Support

Legal processes in Union County can be hard to navigate, especially without adequate knowledge and resources. Thankfully, the Union County Law Library in Lewisburg provides free access to helpful legal information that can help residents file cases, find court records, and even monitor their legal matters. Additionally, the Office of the Public Defender provides free legal representation for residents charged with criminal offenses who cannot afford a lawyer.

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