Franklin County DUI Records Lookup
Franklin County DUI records are maintained by the 39th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The county is located in south-central Pennsylvania along the Maryland border and has an active DUI enforcement presence across its townships and boroughs. Franklin County DUI records include arrest documentation, criminal charges, court dockets, and case outcomes for all impaired driving cases filed in the county. You can search these records online through the state portal, in person at the Chambersburg courthouse, or through a statewide background check system. This page explains every method available for locating Franklin County DUI records.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County DUI Records and the Clerk of Courts
The Franklin County Clerk of Courts maintains all criminal case files, including DUI records, at the Chambersburg courthouse. Every DUI case filed in Franklin County generates a court file stored by the Clerk. That file covers the charging document, docket entries, any plea agreement, the judge's sentencing order, and all conditions imposed on the defendant. The Clerk's office is open to the public during regular business hours, and anyone can look up DUI case information by name or docket number.
Certified copies of Franklin County DUI records are available from the Clerk for a fee. These copies serve as official documentation for driver's license matters, professional licensing, or legal proceedings. The Clerk processes expungement orders when directed by the court. Visit co.franklin.pa.us/clerk-of-courts for contact information and hours. Legal professionals, defendants, and the public all have access to the DUI case records held by the Clerk of Courts in Franklin County.
The Franklin County government at co.franklin.pa.us provides links to all county departments. Franklin County is governed by elected commissioners and operates its criminal justice system through the 39th Judicial District. Records from the Chambersburg Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and other local agencies all contribute to the DUI case files held by the Clerk of Courts in Franklin County.
Note: Franklin County shares the 39th Judicial District with Fulton County, which means the same judicial district number covers two separate counties with separate courthouses.
How to Search Franklin County DUI Records
Start with the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. Enter the defendant's name or docket number to pull up DUI case details from the 39th Judicial District in Franklin County. The portal is free to use and shows charges, hearing dates, and dispositions for cases at both the magisterial district court level and the Court of Common Pleas in Chambersburg. Most Franklin County DUI cases appear in the portal within a short time of filing.
An in-person visit to the Franklin County Courthouse in Chambersburg is the best option when you need actual case documents rather than just the docket summary. The Clerk of Courts can search by name or docket number and pull the file for review. Staff can make copies on request. Bring a photo ID and expect to pay a fee for printed pages. Older Franklin County DUI records are stored at the courthouse and can usually be located with a name and approximate year of filing.
The PATCH statewide criminal background check at epatch.pa.gov includes DUI conviction history from Franklin County. Use PATCH when you want a broad criminal history summary rather than details on a specific case. The Chambersburg Police Department at chambersburgpa.gov/police is one of the primary DUI enforcement agencies in Franklin County, along with the Pennsylvania State Police. Their reports and arrest records flow into the 39th Judicial District court system for prosecution.
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas DUI Cases
The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, as the 39th Judicial District, handles felony DUI cases and other impaired driving matters that move beyond the magisterial district court level. Pennsylvania's DUI statute at 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 defines three tiers of impairment. General impairment covers a BAC from 0.08 to 0.099 percent. High BAC is 0.10 to 0.159 percent. Highest BAC is 0.16 percent or more. Penalties under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3804 increase with the BAC tier and with the number of prior DUI offenses counted under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3806.
A third or subsequent DUI in Franklin County is charged as a felony and heard exclusively at the Court of Common Pleas in Chambersburg. Cases involving serious bodily injury or a fatality may be charged under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3735 for homicide by vehicle while DUI, which carries mandatory prison time and is handled at the Common Pleas level. The court also runs treatment court programs as an alternative sentencing option for eligible DUI defendants in Franklin County. Court schedules and hearing information are accessible through the county court administrator at co.franklin.pa.us/courts.
The Franklin County District Attorney at co.franklin.pa.us/district-attorney prosecutes all DUI cases in the county. The DA works with the Chambersburg Police Department and Pennsylvania State Police to bring charges under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802. Victim services are available for those affected by DUI crashes in Franklin County. The District Attorney promotes traffic safety and participates in regional DUI enforcement initiatives.
ARD Program in Franklin County
Franklin County administers the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for first-time DUI defendants under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3807. ARD gives qualifying individuals the opportunity to avoid a DUI conviction by completing a structured supervision program. Conditions typically include DUI education, community service, fines, and a period of probation supervision. When a defendant finishes ARD in Franklin County, the DUI charge is dismissed and the person may file to have the arrest record expunged from the public record.
The Franklin County District Attorney screens each applicant for ARD eligibility. Factors considered include prior criminal history, the BAC level at the time of arrest, whether there was an accident, and other case-specific details. ARD is not guaranteed, and the DA has complete discretion in deciding whether to offer the program. Participants who violate ARD conditions in Franklin County can be removed from the program and returned to active criminal proceedings. Those who complete the program successfully avoid a criminal record and the license penalties that come with a DUI conviction in Pennsylvania.
Drug and Alcohol Services in Franklin County
Franklin County's Single County Authority provides drug and alcohol assessment, treatment referral, and DUI education services for residents. Court-ordered participants, including those in ARD and those serving DUI probation, are referred to the SCA for evaluation and placement in appropriate treatment programs. Assessment services help determine the level of care needed based on substance use history and the circumstances of the DUI case in Franklin County.
The SCA coordinates with Franklin County probation, the courts, and the District Attorney's office to ensure that court-ordered treatment is completed on schedule. Prevention programs targeting impaired driving are also offered. Case management helps clients navigate treatment requirements and maintain compliance with court orders. For program information, visit co.franklin.pa.us/drug-alcohol. Conditions related to chemical testing after a DUI conviction in Franklin County fall under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3814, which governs ignition interlock and post-conviction testing.
Note: Franklin County drug and alcohol services are available to all county residents, including those going through the DUI court process and those seeking treatment voluntarily without a court referral.
Right-to-Know in Franklin County
Under 65 P.S. § 67.101, Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law gives any person the right to request government records from Franklin County agencies. Police incident reports, county administrative records, and documents related to DUI enforcement may be available through an RTK request. Franklin County processes requests through its open records office and responds within the timeframes required by state law. To submit a request, go to co.franklin.pa.us/open-records.
Fees apply for copying or duplication. Denied requests can be appealed to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov. Criminal case files in Franklin County are judicial records governed by court rules and must be requested from the Clerk of Courts rather than through the Right-to-Know process. Free legal assistance for Franklin County residents is available through palegalaid.net. The Pennsylvania Courts at pacourts.us also provides guidance on accessing court records across the state.
Cities in Franklin County
Franklin County is a south-central Pennsylvania county with Chambersburg as its county seat and largest borough. The Chambersburg Police Department conducts DUI patrols within the borough and refers cases to the 39th Judicial District for prosecution. Pennsylvania State Police cover the rural areas of Franklin County where local police are not available. All DUI cases from across Franklin County, including Waynesboro and other boroughs, are handled through the Court of Common Pleas in Chambersburg.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County borders Cumberland, Adams, and Fulton counties in Pennsylvania, as well as Maryland to the south. If a DUI arrest happened near a county line, identify the arresting municipality to confirm which county court handles the case.