Court records in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, are maintained by several elected offices — including the Clerk of Courts, the Prothonotary, and the Register of Wills — and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and in-person visits. DauphinCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Dauphin County. Additional access points include the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal, the Clerk of Courts office, and the Prothonotary's office.
Dauphin County Court System Overview
Dauphin County is part of Pennsylvania's 12th Judicial District, which serves Dauphin County exclusively. The Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas is the trial court of general jurisdiction, handling criminal, civil, family, and orphans' court matters. Below the Court of Common Pleas, Magisterial District Judges (MDJs) preside over minor criminal cases, preliminary hearings, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, and traffic violations across multiple district courts throughout the county. The Unified Judicial System page for Dauphin County provides general information about the court's operations and frequently asked questions.
Courts Serving Dauphin County
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas | 101 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 | (717) 780-6590 |
| Magisterial District Courts (multiple locations throughout Dauphin County) | Locations vary by district — use the Dauphin County GIS Open Data Portal MDJ Locator to find your district | Varies by district |
| U.S. Middle District of Pennsylvania (federal) | 228 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17108 | (717) 221-3920 |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania | 228 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17108 | (717) 221-3924 |
What Types of Cases Dauphin County Courts Hear
Courts in Dauphin County handle a wide range of case types across the Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, summary offenses, DUI cases
- Civil: Lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury, landlord-tenant, small claims
- Family: Divorce, custody, child support, protection from abuse (PFA) orders, paternity, termination of parental rights
- Probate/Orphans' Court: Decedent estates, guardianships, trust matters, adoptions
- Juvenile: Delinquency proceedings, dependency cases
- Traffic: Moving violations, parking citations, license suspension appeals
District Court Cases in Dauphin County
The Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas hears all felony cases after they are bound over from a Magisterial District Judge following a preliminary hearing. Civil cases exceeding the MDJ jurisdictional limit of $12,000 are filed directly with the Prothonotary's office. The Court of Common Pleas also handles appeals from MDJ decisions, post-conviction relief petitions, and complex litigation. Cases are assigned to individual judges through an internal case management system. The Clerk of Courts maintains criminal and juvenile records for the Court of Common Pleas, while the Prothonotary manages civil case filings.
Magistrate Court Cases in Dauphin County
Magisterial District Judges in Dauphin County handle the first stage of many legal matters. Their jurisdiction includes:
- Summary offenses and misdemeanors
- Preliminary hearings for felony charges
- Civil claims up to $12,000
- Small claims up to $12,000
- Landlord-tenant disputes (including evictions)
- Traffic violations and vehicle code offenses
- DUI arraignments and preliminary hearings
Under Pennsylvania law, the civil jurisdictional limit for Magisterial District Courts is $12,000. MDJs are assigned to geographic districts across the county, and each court handles the cases arising within its boundaries. You can locate the appropriate MDJ for a specific address using the Dauphin County GIS Open Data Portal.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Dauphin County
Family Law: Divorce, custody, child support, protection from abuse (PFA) orders, paternity, and termination of parental rights are handled by the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The court's Self-Help Center provides forms and instructions, including divorce instructions and forms for uncontested matters.
Probate and Orphans' Court: Decedent estates, guardianships of incapacitated persons, trust disputes, and adoptions fall under the Orphans' Court Division. The Register of Wills serves as clerk for this division. Marriage licenses are also issued through the Register of Wills office.
Juvenile: Juvenile delinquency and dependency proceedings are handled by the Juvenile Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Juvenile records are confidential under Pennsylvania law and are not available through public docket search tools. Contact the Clerk of Courts for questions about juvenile case records.
How Cases Move Through the Dauphin County Court System
- Filing/Initiation: Criminal cases begin with a complaint filed at the MDJ level. Civil cases are initiated by filing a complaint with the Prothonotary (Court of Common Pleas) or the appropriate MDJ. Family and orphans' court matters start with a petition.
- Assignment to Judge: After filing, cases at the Court of Common Pleas level are assigned to a judge. MDJ cases are heard by the district judge where the complaint was filed.
- Initial Hearings: Criminal defendants appear for arraignment. Civil cases proceed through a scheduling conference. Family matters may involve a conciliation or conference.
- Pre-Trial Phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and — in criminal cases — may engage in plea negotiations.
- Trial or Resolution: Cases may be resolved by plea agreement, bench or jury trial verdict, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment: Criminal cases proceed to sentencing. Civil judgments may be enforced or appealed. Appeals from the Court of Common Pleas go to the Pennsylvania Superior Court or Commonwealth Court.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Dauphin County
The Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas is administered by the President Judge with assistance from a Trial Court Administrator. The local rules of court govern procedures specific to Dauphin County, covering both civil and criminal practice.
Public access to records in Pennsylvania is governed by the Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.) and the Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration. Most court filings are generally public, though certain records — including juvenile cases, some family matters, and sealed records — are restricted. The Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.) governs access to and use of criminal history records. Dauphin County's Open Records office handles Right-to-Know requests for county government records.
Attending hearings: Court proceedings are generally open to the public. Hearings are held at the Dauphin County Courthouse. Check with the court administrator's office or the Dauphin County court page for any remote hearing options that may be available.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Dauphin County
- Criminal Docket Search: Search criminal docket sheets statewide, including Dauphin County, through the UJS Portal Case Search. The county also provides instructions for accessing public docket information.
- Civil Case Search: The Dauphin County Prothonotary civil case search allows you to look up civil filings by name or case number. Additional information is available on the Searchable Civil Records page.
- Statewide Docket Sheets: The Pennsylvania courts docket sheet page explains how to search for criminal, civil, and MDJ docket sheets across the state.
- Criminal Background Checks: The Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system provides criminal history record checks online.
- Self-Help Center: The Dauphin County Self-Help Center, located in the courthouse Law Library on the 4th floor, offers forms, instructions, and general guidance for self-represented litigants.
- Recorder of Deeds: Property records, deeds, and liens can be searched through the Recorder of Deeds online search system.
- Dauphin County Prison Inmate Lookup: The Dauphin County Prison page provides an inmate lookup tool for individuals held at the county facility.
- State Inmate Locator: For individuals in state custody, use the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator or the state's inmate/parolee search page.
- Sex Offender Registry: Pennsylvania's Megan's Law website allows searches for registered sex offenders by name, county, or address.
- Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage records are available through the Pennsylvania Department of Health Vital Records office. Historical vital records research can be assisted through the State Library of Pennsylvania vital records guide.
- Sheriff's Office: The Dauphin County Sheriff's Office handles court security, warrant service, and concealed carry permit applications.
- Active Incident Information: The Dauphin County WebCAD displays real-time public safety dispatch information.