Pennsylvania Court Records

The Pennsylvania courts website serves as an informative guide to the framework and operation of the state’s courts. It offers a straightforward overview of the court hierarchy and specifies which courts handle various case types. 

Pennsylvania operates a unified system that includes the Supreme Court as the highest authority, setting rules and ensuring consistent court operations. In addition to the Supreme Court, the system consists of the Superior and Commonwealth appellate courts. Trial courts, such as the Courts of Common Pleas, handle major civil and criminal cases, while limited-jurisdiction courts, including Magistrate, Municipal, and Traffic Courts, deal with specific matters.

While the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania and Article I, Section 11 of the Pennsylvania Constitution establish public rights of access to court records, information seekers should note that statutory and privacy laws, as well as judicial orders, may restrict access to some records. Additionally, while the Pennsylvania court records website provides details of legal proceedings across the Commonwealth, it is not an official source and does not offer legal advice.