DUI Records in Luzerne County
Luzerne County DUI records are held by the Clerk of Courts at the Court of Common Pleas in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The county operates as the 11th Judicial District under Pennsylvania's unified court system. DUI cases from Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Pittston, and all other Luzerne County municipalities are processed here. You can search Luzerne County DUI records online through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal or by requesting records directly from the Clerk of Courts. This page walks you through how to access those records.
Luzerne County Quick Facts
Luzerne County DUI Records
The Luzerne County Clerk of Courts keeps all DUI court records for the county. Each record begins when a DUI charge is formally filed and grows as the case progresses. Court dates, plea entries, verdicts, and sentencing information all become part of the file. Pennsylvania law under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 defines DUI as operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 percent or more, or while impaired by drugs or alcohol to a degree that makes it unsafe to drive.
Luzerne County covers a wide geographic area in northeastern Pennsylvania. Wilkes-Barre is the county seat and the main population center. The Wilkes-Barre Police Department actively conducts DUI enforcement and forwards cases to the District Attorney. Pennsylvania State Police also patrol many rural and suburban parts of Luzerne County, contributing DUI arrests to the court system. All of these cases end up in the records maintained by the Clerk of Courts.
DUI penalties in Luzerne County follow the three-tier structure set by 75 Pa.C.S. § 3804. General impairment, high BAC, and highest BAC cases carry different minimum sentences. A second offense brings mandatory jail time in Pennsylvania. A third offense is elevated to felony status. Prior offenses are counted under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3806, and those records are available through the Luzerne County Clerk of Courts.
Note: Luzerne County DUI records are public documents that any person may request through the Clerk of Courts or the Pennsylvania UJS Portal.
How to Search Luzerne DUI Records
You can search Luzerne County DUI records for free at ujsportal.pacourts.us. The Pennsylvania UJS Portal allows you to search by name or docket number. Results show the charges, court dates, and current case status. The system is updated regularly and covers all counties in Pennsylvania, including Luzerne County.
In-person searches are available at the Luzerne County Clerk of Courts in Wilkes-Barre. Staff can look up records by defendant name or case number. A fee applies for copies of documents. You should bring a valid photo ID when visiting. Call the Clerk's office ahead of time to confirm current hours and any requirements before traveling to the courthouse in Wilkes-Barre.
If you need police reports connected to a Luzerne County DUI arrest, contact the arresting department directly. The Wilkes-Barre Police Department maintains incident reports for arrests made within the city. State Police troop records can be requested through their records division. These reports are separate from the court file but may be available through a public records request.
Luzerne Court of Common Pleas DUI Cases
The Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas serves as the 11th Judicial District. It handles all felony DUI cases and serious misdemeanor charges filed in the county. Judges in the criminal division hear cases from every municipality in Luzerne County. The court follows Pennsylvania sentencing guidelines and uses prior record scores to determine appropriate sentences. More information about the court is available at luzernecounty.org/courts.
Chemical testing evidence under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3814 plays a major role in Luzerne County DUI cases. Officers must follow proper procedures when collecting blood or breath samples. Results are admitted as evidence and affect the tier classification of the offense. Refusal to test carries its own set of consequences under Pennsylvania's implied consent statute. The Luzerne County DA's office at luzernecounty.org/district-attorney presents this evidence during prosecution.
In the most serious DUI cases involving death, Luzerne County prosecutors may file charges under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3735, which covers homicide by vehicle while under the influence. These cases carry significant prison terms and are tracked in the public court record. The Luzerne County Sheriff's Office at luzernecounty.org/sheriff assists with warrant service and prisoner transport for these serious cases.
ARD Program in Luzerne County
The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program is offered in Luzerne County for qualifying first-time DUI offenders. ARD is authorized under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3807 and provides a path to dismissal of charges without a conviction. Participants must complete a supervision period, pay any required costs, complete community service, and finish any court-ordered treatment. The Luzerne County District Attorney reviews each application and decides who qualifies.
Factors that affect ARD eligibility in Luzerne County include the BAC level at the time of arrest, the presence of injuries or property damage, and any prior criminal history. Cases with elevated BAC readings or aggravating circumstances may not qualify. Once a defendant is accepted and successfully completes ARD, they may ask the court to expunge the arrest record. The expungement process is handled through the Luzerne County Clerk of Courts.
Note: Completing ARD in Luzerne County does not fully erase a DUI from your record for purposes of future DUI charges under Pennsylvania law, even after expungement.
Drug and Alcohol Services in Luzerne
Luzerne County provides drug and alcohol assessment and treatment services through its county program. People facing DUI charges are often referred for an assessment as part of the court process. The Luzerne County Drug and Alcohol program connects clients with licensed providers who can deliver the level of care appropriate for each person. Court-ordered treatment must be completed on the timeline set by the judge or probation officer.
DUI education programs run through the county give defendants the tools to understand the risks of impaired driving. Case managers help track compliance and report back to the court. Prevention programs in Luzerne County work with schools, community groups, and law enforcement to reduce DUI incidents. These programs are part of a larger public health effort in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Right-to-Know in Luzerne County
Under 65 P.S. § 67.101, Pennsylvania residents have the right to request government records, including some DUI-related documents. Luzerne County accepts Right-to-Know requests through its open records office at luzernecounty.org/open-records. Police reports, administrative records, and other non-exempt government documents can be requested this way. Fees apply for copies of requested records.
Luzerne County must respond within five business days under the RTKL. If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov. Court records held by the Clerk of Courts are accessed separately through the court system rather than through a RTKL request.
Cities in Luzerne County
Luzerne County includes Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Pittston, Nanticoke, and many other municipalities. DUI cases from all parts of the county are processed through the 11th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas in Wilkes-Barre.
Nearby Counties
Luzerne County borders multiple Pennsylvania counties. Cases are filed in the county where the DUI arrest occurred. If you are unsure which county has jurisdiction, check the municipality listed on the police report.