Find DUI Records in Erie PA
Erie DUI records are processed through the Sixth Judicial District in Erie County. Located in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania on Lake Erie, the city has about 95,000 residents. The Erie Police Department enforces DUI laws in the city and forwards arrest records to the Erie County District Attorney. Court dockets from DUI cases in Erie become public records accessible through the UJS Portal. This page covers how to search Erie DUI arrest records, court filings, and related case information.
Erie Quick Facts
Where to Find Erie DUI Records
Erie DUI records are held in the Sixth Judicial District, which is the Erie County Court of Common Pleas. DUI arrests made by Erie police go first to the Magisterial District Judge for initial proceedings, then cases that proceed move to the Court of Common Pleas. The Erie County Clerk of Courts maintains physical court records for all DUI cases at the Common Pleas level, including dockets, plea entries, sentencing documents, and appeal records.
The UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us gives free public access to Erie DUI dockets. Enter the defendant's name and filter to Erie County to see matching cases. Docket sheets are free to view and download. They show all charges, court dates, and the current status of the case. For certified copies, contact the Erie County Clerk of Courts directly. City records requests go through Erie's open records office at erie.pa.us/open-records under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law.
How to Search Erie DUI Records
The UJS Portal is the first place to check for Erie DUI court records. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us, type in the name you are searching, and filter by Erie County. The results list all cases matching that name, with docket numbers and charge information. Docket sheets are available as PDFs with no charge. For a statewide certified criminal history including Erie DUI convictions, use the PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov. PATCH reports come from the Pennsylvania State Police and cover all counties.
In-person record searches are available at the Erie County Clerk of Courts. Staff can look up DUI cases by name or docket number and provide copies of filed documents. Bring photo ID and any case information you have. DUI driving record data, including license suspensions tied to Erie DUI convictions, is held separately by PennDOT at dmv.pa.gov.
Note: Police reports from the Erie Police Department are a separate record from the court docket and require a Right-to-Know request through the city's records office.
Erie Police and DUI Enforcement
The Erie Police Department handles DUI enforcement throughout the city and participates in regional enforcement campaigns. Officers are trained in DUI investigation procedures and field sobriety testing. Erie police forward DUI arrest records to the Erie County District Attorney, who then reviews the case and decides whether to file formal charges. The department works with Erie County and state agencies including PennDOT on traffic safety initiatives.
The Erie Mayor's Office at erie.pa.us/mayor oversees city operations and coordinates public safety priorities including DUI enforcement. The Erie Bureau of Fire at erie.pa.us/fire responds to vehicle accidents, including DUI-related crashes, and works with police on accident investigations. Records of DUI-related accidents are maintained by both police and fire departments. Erie's public safety agencies work together on responses to serious DUI incidents.
The Erie Police Department maintains resources on DUI enforcement and records access for Erie County residents on the city's official public safety website.
Erie police officers conduct DUI patrols across the city and submit arrest reports through the department's records division before forwarding them to the Erie County District Attorney for charging decisions.
Erie DUI Cases and the Court System
Erie DUI cases start at the Magisterial District Judge level. The MDJ holds the initial arraignment, sets bail, and conducts the preliminary hearing. Cases that move forward go to the Erie County Court of Common Pleas in the Sixth Judicial District. Felony DUI charges, including third and subsequent offenses, are also handled at Common Pleas. The Erie County Clerk of Courts maintains the full record for cases processed at that level.
The Erie City Council at erie.pa.us/city-council enacts local ordinances related to traffic and public safety in the city. All court filings become part of the public record and are searchable through the UJS Portal. The PA Courts website at pacourts.us has information on finding and accessing court records across Pennsylvania. Both the MDJ level and the Common Pleas level generate separate dockets that are searchable by name.
PA DUI Law and Erie
Pennsylvania's DUI statute at 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 covers three tiers of impairment. General Impairment is a BAC of 0.08 to 0.099 percent. High BAC is 0.10 to 0.159 percent. Highest BAC is 0.16 percent and above. Penalties under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3804 increase with each tier. A first General Impairment offense can result in probation only. High BAC and Highest BAC first offenses require a mandatory minimum jail term of 48 hours or 72 hours, respectively. Drug impairment is covered regardless of BAC level.
Pennsylvania counts prior DUI offenses under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3806. Any Erie DUI convictions in a person's history affect the penalty range for a new DUI charge. Chemical testing during an Erie DUI stop is governed by 75 Pa.C.S. § 3814, covering breath and blood test procedures. A third or subsequent DUI is a felony in Pennsylvania. If an Erie DUI results in death, charges under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3735 for Homicide by Vehicle While DUI may be filed with much heavier sentencing ranges.
ARD Program and Erie Residents
First-time DUI offenders in Erie may qualify for the ARD program under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3807. The Erie County District Attorney reviews applications and determines eligibility. Qualifying defendants complete a supervision period with conditions that typically include DUI education, community service, and sometimes treatment. Completing ARD results in dismissal of the DUI charges and opens the door to expungement under Pa.R.Crim.P. 320.
Factors that affect ARD eligibility in Erie include the BAC level at the time of arrest, whether a crash or injury occurred, and whether any minors were in the vehicle. Prior ARD participation or a prior DUI conviction generally disqualifies a defendant from the program. Even after a successful ARD completion and expungement, future DUI charges in Pennsylvania can count the prior ARD as an offense under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3806. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net can help Erie residents understand their options.
Drug and Alcohol Resources in Erie
Erie County has several options for substance abuse treatment and DUI education programs. Court-ordered individuals are typically referred to licensed providers in the Erie area for assessment and treatment. These programs are required for DUI sentencing compliance and for ARD participation. The Erie Mayor's Office coordinates with public health agencies on prevention efforts in the community.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net provides free legal help to income-qualifying Erie residents who need assistance with a DUI case. The PA Open Records portal at openrecords.pa.gov provides guidance on submitting records requests to Erie city and county agencies. The PA Legislature site at legis.state.pa.us has the full text of all Pennsylvania DUI statutes for those who want to read the law directly.
The Erie city police department conducts DUI enforcement operations throughout Erie County, with officers trained in standardized field sobriety testing and breathalyzer administration.
All DUI arrests made by Erie police generate case records that enter the Erie County court system and become public dockets once charges are formally filed.
Erie County DUI Records
Erie DUI cases are prosecuted through Erie County, and all court records at the Common Pleas level are held by the Erie County Clerk of Courts in the Sixth Judicial District. For more on the county court system, contact information, and other DUI record resources in Erie County, visit the county page below.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
DUI records for nearby Pennsylvania cities are filed at their respective county courthouses. Select a city below to find DUI records in that area.