Allentown DUI Case Records
Allentown DUI records are filed through the 31st Judicial District in Lehigh County. Pennsylvania's third-largest city, Allentown has about 125,000 residents in the Lehigh Valley. The Allentown Police Department handles DUI enforcement in the city, and arrests move through the Lehigh County court system where dockets become public records. This page covers how to find DUI cases, court filings, and arrest records connected to Allentown through state and county resources.
Allentown Quick Facts
Where to Find Allentown DUI Records
Allentown DUI records are maintained within the 31st Judicial District, which is the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas. DUI arrests made by Allentown police flow into the Magisterial District Judge courts for initial proceedings, and then move to the Court of Common Pleas for more serious charges or jury trials. The Lehigh County Clerk of Courts holds the physical records for criminal cases at the Common Pleas level, including all Allentown DUI dockets, plea entries, and sentencing documents.
Free public access to Allentown DUI court dockets is available through the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. Search by party name and filter to Lehigh County. Docket sheets show charges, hearing dates, and current case status. Certified copies require a direct request to the Clerk of Courts in Lehigh County. The Allentown open records office at allentownpa.gov/open-records handles Right-to-Know requests for city government records under 65 P.S. § 67.101.
How to Search Allentown DUI Records
The UJS Portal is your best starting point for searching Allentown DUI court records. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us and enter the name of the person you are looking for. Filter results to Lehigh County to narrow your search. The system displays all matching cases with docket numbers, charge codes, and case status. Docket sheets are free to view and download. They list each charge, including any citation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802, and all hearing dates.
In-person searches are available at the Lehigh County Clerk of Courts. Staff can locate cases by name or docket number. Bring a photo ID and any known case information. The PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov provides statewide criminal history reports from the Pennsylvania State Police and includes Allentown DUI convictions going back many years. These reports are certified and cost a small fee per search.
Note: Police reports from the Allentown Police records division are a separate document from court dockets and may require a Right-to-Know request to the city.
Allentown Police and DUI Enforcement
The Allentown Police Department conducts extensive DUI enforcement as the third-largest city in Pennsylvania. The department runs traffic units that focus on impaired driving patrols and operates DUI checkpoints throughout the city. Officers are trained in standardized field sobriety testing and DUI investigation procedures. Allentown police collaborate with Lehigh County and state agencies on regional enforcement campaigns targeting impaired driving.
When Allentown officers make a DUI arrest, they complete a report that goes through the records division and is then forwarded to the Lehigh County District Attorney. The DA reviews the evidence and determines whether to file charges. Once charges are filed, the case appears in the court docket system. The city's open records process at allentownpa.gov/open-records allows the public to request police reports and administrative records not otherwise protected by law.
The Allentown Police Department maintains an official website with information on DUI enforcement, records requests, and traffic safety resources for city residents.
Allentown's police department is responsible for the initial processing of all DUI arrests made within city limits, with reports forwarded to the Lehigh County District Attorney for charging decisions.
Allentown DUI Cases and the Court System
DUI cases in Allentown begin at the Magisterial District Judge level. The MDJ handles the initial arraignment, bail, and preliminary hearing. Most summary traffic offenses connected to a DUI arrest are also handled at this level. Cases that move forward to trial or involve felony-level DUI charges go to the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas in the 31st Judicial District.
Allentown also has a Municipal Court that handles initial proceedings for certain DUI-related matters. Court schedules are available through the court system, and all filings become part of the public record once they are entered into the docket. The Allentown City Council at allentownpa.gov/city-council enacts local ordinances related to public safety, which can interact with DUI enforcement priorities in the city.
PA DUI Law and Allentown
Pennsylvania's DUI law at 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 sets three BAC tiers. General Impairment is 0.08 to 0.099 percent. High BAC runs from 0.10 to 0.159 percent. Highest BAC is 0.16 percent and above. Each tier carries different penalties under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3804. First offenses at the lowest tier may result in probation. Higher tiers and repeat offenses bring mandatory minimum jail sentences and longer license suspensions. A third or subsequent DUI in Pennsylvania becomes a felony charge.
Prior offenses are tracked under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3806, and prior DUI records in Allentown or anywhere in Pennsylvania factor into sentencing for a new case. Chemical testing rules under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3814 cover the blood draw and breath test procedures used by Allentown officers. If a DUI leads to a death, the charge may be elevated to Homicide by Vehicle While DUI under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3735. DUI driving records are maintained separately by PennDOT at dmv.pa.gov, showing license suspension actions tied to Allentown DUI convictions.
ARD Program and Allentown Residents
The ARD program under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3807 is available to eligible first-time DUI offenders in Allentown through the Lehigh County District Attorney. Qualifying defendants complete a supervision period, DUI education classes, and any other conditions set by the DA's office. Those who finish the program have their DUI charges dismissed. They can then file to have the arrest record expunged under Pa.R.Crim.P. 320, which removes the record from most public searches.
Eligibility for ARD in Allentown depends on the specifics of the case. The DA considers the BAC level, whether a crash occurred, whether minors were in the vehicle, and the applicant's prior record. Prior ARD participation or prior DUI convictions generally disqualify someone from the program. Even if ARD leads to an expungement, future DUI charges in Pennsylvania may still count the ARD as a prior offense under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3806.
Drug and Alcohol Resources in Allentown
Allentown residents dealing with substance abuse issues connected to a DUI can access help through the Lehigh County government and local treatment providers. The Allentown Health Bureau at allentownpa.gov/health provides public health services and works on substance abuse prevention and education programs. The bureau coordinates with courts and other agencies on public health matters including DUI education compliance.
Lehigh County has licensed treatment providers that offer DUI education and counseling programs required by the court. Court-ordered individuals are referred to these providers after a DUI conviction or as a condition of ARD participation. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net offers free legal help to income-qualifying Allentown residents who need guidance on DUI cases. The PA Legislature information on DUI law is available at legis.state.pa.us for those who want to read the statutes directly.
The Allentown Police Department serves as the main law enforcement agency for DUI enforcement in the city, with officers assigned to traffic units and regional impaired driving campaigns.
DUI arrests processed by Allentown police generate reports that are forwarded to the Lehigh County District Attorney, who then decides whether to file formal charges in the court system.
Allentown Lehigh County DUI Records
Allentown DUI cases are prosecuted through Lehigh County, and all court records at the Common Pleas level are held by the Lehigh County Clerk of Courts. For more information on the county court system and how to access Lehigh County DUI records, visit the county page below.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
DUI records for nearby cities are filed through their own county court systems. Select a city below to find DUI records in that area.