Scranton DUI Case Lookup
Scranton DUI records are maintained through the 45th Judicial District in Lackawanna County. Located in northeastern Pennsylvania, Scranton has about 77,000 residents and serves as the county seat of Lackawanna County. The Scranton Police Department handles DUI enforcement in the city and forwards arrest records to the Lackawanna County District Attorney. Court dockets for Scranton DUI cases become public records through the UJS Portal. This page explains how to find Scranton DUI arrests, court filings, and case information.
Scranton Quick Facts
Where to Find Scranton DUI Records
Scranton DUI records are held within the 45th Judicial District, which serves Lackawanna County. DUI arrests made by Scranton police enter the Magisterial District Judge courts for initial proceedings and then move to the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas for cases going to trial or involving felony charges. The Lackawanna County Clerk of Courts maintains all physical court records at the Common Pleas level, including Scranton DUI dockets, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and appeal filings.
Free public access to Scranton DUI court dockets is available through the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. Search by defendant name and filter to Lackawanna County. Results show charges, court dates, and case status. Certified copies require a request to the Lackawanna County Clerk of Courts. City records requests can be submitted through Scranton's open records office at scrantonpa.gov/open-records under 65 P.S. § 67.101.
How to Search Scranton DUI Records
Start at the UJS Portal to search Scranton DUI court records. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us, enter the defendant's name, and select Lackawanna County from the filter. The portal returns all matching cases with docket numbers, charges, and current status. Docket sheets are free and include all charges by statute, every hearing date, and the final outcome. They show whether a defendant was charged under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 and what tier applied.
For certified Scranton DUI case records, contact the Lackawanna County Clerk of Courts in person or by mail. Bring a photo ID and the docket number if available. The PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov issues statewide certified criminal history reports from the Pennsylvania State Police, covering Scranton DUI convictions across all counties. DUI driving record data is held separately by PennDOT at dmv.pa.gov.
Note: The Scranton Parking Authority at scrantonparkingauthority.com coordinates with police on traffic enforcement, but DUI case records are held by the court system, not by the parking authority.
Scranton Police and DUI Enforcement
The Scranton Police Department conducts DUI patrols and enforcement throughout the city. Officers are trained in standardized field sobriety testing and DUI investigation procedures. The department participates in regional enforcement campaigns and forwards DUI arrest records to the Lackawanna County District Attorney. The DA reviews each case and decides whether to file formal charges, which creates the official court docket.
The Scranton Mayor's Office at scrantonpa.gov/mayor oversees city operations and public safety initiatives. The City received $68.7 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), some of which has supported public safety programs. City infrastructure and road maintenance through the Department of Public Works at scrantonpa.gov/public-works also plays a role in traffic safety across Scranton, as road conditions can affect enforcement activities.
The Scranton Police Department website provides information on DUI enforcement, records access, and traffic safety resources for Lackawanna County residents.
Scranton police forward DUI arrest reports to the Lackawanna County District Attorney, who then files formal charges, creating the court record that becomes publicly accessible through the UJS Portal.
Scranton DUI Cases and the Court System
DUI cases in Scranton begin at the Magisterial District Judge level. The MDJ handles the initial arraignment, sets bail, and holds the preliminary hearing to determine whether the case has sufficient evidence to proceed. Cases moving to trial or involving felony-level DUI charges go to the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas in the 45th Judicial District. The Clerk of Courts is the official custodian for all records at the Common Pleas level.
The Scranton City Council at scrantonpa.gov/city-council enacts local ordinances related to public safety and traffic. All court filings in Scranton DUI cases become part of the public record once entered into the docket system. The PA Courts website at pacourts.us provides statewide guidance on accessing court records. Cases at both the MDJ level and the Common Pleas level generate separate dockets searchable by defendant name on the UJS Portal.
PA DUI Law and Scranton
Pennsylvania's DUI law under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 applies uniformly across the state, including Scranton. Three tiers govern DUI offenses: General Impairment at 0.08 to 0.099 percent BAC, High BAC at 0.10 to 0.159 percent, and Highest BAC at 0.16 percent and above. Penalties under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3804 increase with each tier. Drug-impaired driving is also covered under the same statute. A first General Impairment offense may result in probation. Highest BAC carries a mandatory minimum even on a first offense.
Prior Scranton DUI records count as prior offenses under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3806 and raise the penalty range for any new DUI case. Chemical testing during a Scranton DUI stop follows the rules in 75 Pa.C.S. § 3814, which covers both breath and blood test procedures. A third or subsequent DUI in Pennsylvania becomes a felony. A Scranton DUI causing a death may be charged as Homicide by Vehicle While DUI under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3735, which carries far more serious penalties than a standard DUI charge.
ARD Program and Scranton Residents
First-time DUI offenders in Scranton may apply for ARD through the Lackawanna County District Attorney's office under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3807. Eligible defendants complete a supervision program with conditions typically including DUI education classes and community service. Those who complete the program have their DUI charges dismissed and can file to have the arrest expunged under Pa.R.Crim.P. 320. An expungement removes the record from most public database searches.
Eligibility for ARD in Scranton depends on factors including the BAC level, whether a crash occurred, whether minors were present, and the applicant's criminal history. Prior ARD participation or prior DUI convictions generally disqualify a defendant from the program. Even after a successful ARD expungement, Pennsylvania law under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3806 treats prior ARD participation as a prior DUI offense if the person is charged with DUI again in the future. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net can provide guidance to Scranton residents on ARD eligibility.
Drug and Alcohol Resources in Scranton
The Scranton Health Bureau at scrantonpa.gov/health provides public health services and works on substance abuse prevention and education in the city. The bureau coordinates with courts and other agencies on treatment compliance matters related to DUI cases. Lackawanna County also has licensed substance abuse treatment providers that offer court-ordered DUI education and counseling programs for Scranton residents.
Scranton's Code Blue shelter program is staffed by Catholic Social Services and helps residents in crisis, including those with substance abuse issues. The city coordinates emergency and social services through the Mayor's Office. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net provides free legal help to qualifying Scranton residents dealing with DUI cases. The PA Open Records portal at openrecords.pa.gov has guidance on submitting records requests to Scranton city offices or Lackawanna County agencies.
The Scranton city police department operates multiple units that conduct DUI enforcement operations, with all arrest records entering the Lackawanna County court system for review and prosecution.
Scranton DUI arrests generate case records that become public court dockets once the Lackawanna County District Attorney files formal charges through the 45th Judicial District.
The Scranton City Council and city government set public safety priorities including traffic enforcement policies that guide the Scranton Police Department's DUI enforcement activities.
Scranton's city government works with Lackawanna County agencies to ensure that DUI enforcement policies align with county and state guidelines and that public records from DUI cases remain accessible.
Scranton Lackawanna County DUI Records
Scranton DUI cases are prosecuted through Lackawanna County, and all court records at the Common Pleas level are maintained by the Lackawanna County Clerk of Courts in the 45th Judicial District. For more on the county court system and how to access Lackawanna County DUI records, visit the county page below.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
DUI records for nearby cities are filed at their own county courthouses. Select a city below to search DUI records in that area.