Lehigh County DUI Records and Court Cases
Lehigh County DUI records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the Court of Common Pleas in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Lehigh County is part of the Lehigh Valley and is home to Allentown, the third-largest city in the state. The 31st Judicial District handles all DUI cases filed in the county. You can search Lehigh County DUI records online through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal or by visiting the Clerk of Courts in person. This page explains how to find and access DUI records in Lehigh County.
Lehigh County Quick Facts
Lehigh County DUI Records
The Lehigh County Clerk of Courts maintains all criminal court records, including DUI cases. These records are created when a DUI charge is filed and grow as the case moves through the court system. Each entry in the record reflects actions taken by the court, the defendant, or counsel. Lehigh County follows Pennsylvania law in classifying DUI offenses under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802, which sets the legal threshold for impairment at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher.
Allentown is the county seat and the largest city in the Lehigh Valley. The city drives a significant share of Lehigh County's DUI caseload due to its size and active police presence. Allentown Police, Pennsylvania State Police, and municipal departments throughout Lehigh County all forward arrest records to the District Attorney. Those charges then become part of the court record maintained by the Clerk of Courts.
DUI cases in Lehigh County are classified under three tiers. General impairment covers a BAC of 0.08 to 0.099 percent. High BAC applies from 0.10 to 0.159 percent. Highest BAC applies at 0.16 percent or above. Each tier carries different penalties under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3804. A third DUI offense is treated as a felony in Pennsylvania. The full penalty record is part of the court file in Lehigh County.
The Lehigh County Clerk of Courts processes expungement orders for eligible DUI cases. Under Pennsylvania law, certain first-time offenders who complete ARD may petition to have records cleared. The Clerk coordinates with the District Attorney and defense attorneys throughout this process. Visit lehighcounty.org/clerk-of-courts for more details on record requests and expungements.
Note: Lehigh County DUI records are public documents under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and can be accessed by any member of the public who submits a proper request.
How to Search Lehigh DUI Records
The fastest way to search Lehigh County DUI records is through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This free tool lets you search by name or docket number. Results show the charges filed, case status, and hearing dates. The portal covers all 67 Pennsylvania counties, including Lehigh County, and is updated regularly by the court system.
To search in person, visit the Lehigh County Clerk of Courts at the courthouse in Allentown. Staff can search records by name or case number. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Copies of records are available for a per-page fee. Business hours are generally Monday through Friday during regular office hours. Call ahead to confirm hours and what documents to bring before making the trip to Allentown.
The 31st Judicial District also maintains a court schedule online. This is useful if you want to observe a hearing or confirm a case date. Police reports connected to a DUI arrest are held by the arresting department and may also be obtained through a Right-to-Know request.
Note: Case information available online through the UJS Portal shows docket activity but does not include physical documents or exhibits from the court file.
Lehigh Court of Common Pleas DUI Cases
The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas is the trial court for all felony and serious misdemeanor DUI cases in the county. It operates as the 31st Judicial District under Pennsylvania's unified court system. Judges assigned to the criminal division hear DUI cases from Allentown, Bethlehem Township, Whitehall, and all other municipalities in Lehigh County. The court follows sentencing guidelines set by the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing.
Chemical testing under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3814 is a key element in most Lehigh County DUI cases. Police are required to inform defendants of their rights before chemical testing. Refusal to submit to testing has consequences under Pennsylvania's implied consent law. The results of chemical testing become part of the court record and are used in sentencing. Prior offenses are tracked under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3806 and can increase penalties significantly.
The Lehigh County District Attorney's office at lehighcounty.org/district-attorney prosecutes all DUI cases that reach the Court of Common Pleas. The DA reviews the evidence, determines charges, and decides on plea offers. Victim services are available for those harmed by DUI crashes in Lehigh County. The most serious cases, such as homicide by vehicle while DUI under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3735, are handled at this level.
ARD Program in Lehigh County
Pennsylvania's Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program is available to eligible first-time DUI offenders in Lehigh County. The program is authorized under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3807 and offers an alternative to traditional prosecution. ARD participants typically complete probation, community service, and any required treatment. Successful completion leads to dismissal of the charges.
The Lehigh County District Attorney determines ARD eligibility based on BAC level, the presence of any prior record, and the circumstances of the arrest. Cases involving injuries to others or a minor in the vehicle are generally not eligible. Applicants must apply through the DA's office and be accepted into the program before it can begin. The Lehigh County DA's office handles all ARD applications for the 31st Judicial District.
Once a person completes ARD in Lehigh County, they may petition the court to expunge their DUI arrest record. This removes the arrest from public view but does not clear the record entirely for purposes of future DUI charges. Courts still consider prior ARD participation when evaluating new DUI cases under Pennsylvania law.
Note: ARD availability and terms can change, so contact the Lehigh County District Attorney's office directly to confirm current eligibility requirements before applying.
Drug and Alcohol Services in Lehigh
Lehigh County operates a Drug and Alcohol program that provides assessment and referral services for those dealing with substance use issues. The program serves individuals who are court-ordered to attend treatment as part of a DUI case. Court-ordered participants must comply with the program's requirements to satisfy the conditions of their sentence or ARD agreement. Visit lehighcounty.org/drug-alcohol to learn more about available services.
DUI education classes are available through the county program for those required to complete them. Case managers work with clients and the court to confirm compliance. Prevention programs run by the county target impaired driving throughout the Lehigh Valley. These services are separate from the criminal case but directly connected to its outcome. Completing required treatment on time is important for any Lehigh County DUI defendant.
Right-to-Know in Lehigh County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 gives the public the right to access government records, including certain DUI-related documents. Lehigh County processes Right-to-Know requests through its open records office. You can request police reports, court administrative records, and other government documents that are not exempt under state law. Visit lehighcounty.org/open-records to submit a request.
Requests are processed within the timeframes set by the RTKL. Lehigh County charges fees based on the state fee schedule for copies. If your request is denied or partially denied, you may appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov. Court case records themselves are generally obtained directly from the Clerk of Courts rather than through a RTKL request.
Note: The Right-to-Know Law covers records held by government agencies but not all court records, which are governed by separate court rules and the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Cities in Lehigh County
Lehigh County includes Allentown, the third-largest city in Pennsylvania, along with Bethlehem, Emmaus, Coplay, Catasauqua, and many other municipalities. DUI cases from all parts of the county are handled by the 31st Judicial District Court of Common Pleas in Allentown.
Allentown is the county seat of Lehigh County and the largest city in the Lehigh Valley. All DUI cases in Lehigh County are processed through the Court of Common Pleas located in Allentown.
Nearby Counties
Lehigh County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. DUI cases are filed in the county where the offense occurred. If you are unsure which county handles a case, check the municipality where the arrest took place.