Find DUI Records in Mercer County
Mercer County DUI records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the Court of Common Pleas in the borough of Mercer, the county seat in western Pennsylvania. The 36th Judicial District handles all criminal DUI cases filed in the county. Mercer County is located near the Ohio border and is served by local police departments including Hermitage, along with the Pennsylvania State Police. You can search Mercer County DUI records online through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal or in person at the Clerk of Courts in Mercer borough.
Mercer County Quick Facts
Mercer County DUI Records
The Mercer County Clerk of Courts maintains all DUI case records filed in the county. Each record is created when charges are formally filed and is updated as the case progresses through the court system. DUI records in Mercer County include the charges filed, court dates, plea entries, and sentencing information. Pennsylvania's DUI statute at 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 governs all impaired driving cases in the county.
Mercer County sits in western Pennsylvania near the Ohio border. Hermitage is the largest city in the county, and its police department handles a significant share of DUI arrests in the area. The Hermitage Police Department works with the Mercer County District Attorney to bring DUI cases to the Court of Common Pleas. Pennsylvania State Police also patrol the county's highways and rural roads and contribute to the DUI caseload.
Three-tier sentencing applies to all Mercer County DUI cases under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3804. General impairment cases, which involve a BAC of 0.08 to 0.099 percent, carry lighter penalties than high or highest BAC tiers. Second and third offenses bring mandatory jail time and increased fines. A third DUI in Pennsylvania is a felony. Prior offenses are counted under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3806 and are part of the permanent record in Mercer County.
Note: DUI case records in Mercer County are public documents and can be accessed through the Clerk of Courts or the Pennsylvania UJS Portal.
How to Search Mercer DUI Records
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is the primary online tool for searching Mercer County DUI records. Search by name or docket number to find charges, court dates, and case status. The portal is free to use and covers all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. It is updated regularly with new case information from the Mercer County court system.
In-person searches at the Mercer County Clerk of Courts allow access to physical case files. Bring a valid photo ID when visiting the courthouse. Staff can look up records by name or docket number. Copies are available for a per-page fee. Business hours are generally Monday through Friday. Call ahead to the Mercer County Clerk's office before visiting to confirm hours and document requirements.
Police reports from DUI arrests made by the Hermitage Police can be requested through the Hermitage Police Department. State Police reports go through the PSP records division. These reports are separate from the court record itself and may provide additional detail about what led to the DUI charge in Mercer County.
Mercer Court of Common Pleas DUI Cases
The Mercer County Court of Common Pleas operates as the 36th Judicial District. It handles all felony DUI charges and serious misdemeanor cases in the county. Judges in the criminal division hear cases from Hermitage, Sharon, Grove City, Farrell, and other municipalities in Mercer County. The court follows Pennsylvania sentencing guidelines. Visit mercercountypa.gov/courts for court schedules and additional information.
Chemical testing under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3814 is a core part of DUI prosecution in Mercer County. Officers must follow established protocols when collecting breath or blood samples. BAC results help determine the tier of the offense and influence sentencing. Refusal to submit to chemical testing carries its own legal consequences in Pennsylvania. The Mercer County District Attorney at mercercountypa.gov/district-attorney presents this evidence in court proceedings.
Homicide by vehicle while DUI under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3735 is handled at the Court of Common Pleas level in Mercer County. These cases are among the most serious DUI-related offenses and carry long prison sentences. The Mercer County Sheriff at mercercountypa.gov/sheriff supports the court with warrant service and prisoner transport throughout the county.
ARD Program in Mercer County
Mercer County offers the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program to qualified first-time DUI offenders under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3807. ARD gives eligible defendants a path to avoid a criminal conviction by completing a supervised program that includes probation, community service, DUI education, and any required drug and alcohol treatment. Completing ARD results in dismissal of the charges.
The Mercer County District Attorney decides who qualifies for ARD. High BAC levels, accidents with injuries, or a minor in the vehicle can disqualify a defendant. Applications must be submitted to the DA's office and approved before the program begins. After completing ARD and serving the supervision period, defendants may petition the Mercer County Clerk of Courts to expunge the arrest record from public view.
Note: Even after ARD expungement in Mercer County, the prior program participation can be counted in future DUI cases under Pennsylvania law, so ARD is not a complete erasure of the incident.
Drug and Alcohol Services in Mercer
Mercer County's drug and alcohol program provides assessment, referral, and case management services for individuals involved in DUI cases. The program at mercercountypa.gov/drug-alcohol connects court-ordered clients with treatment providers in the area. Completing the required assessment and any recommended treatment is a condition of ARD and most DUI sentences in Mercer County.
DUI education classes are part of the standard requirements for many Mercer County DUI defendants. Case managers track compliance with treatment orders and report to the court and probation. Prevention programs also run through the county to address impaired driving in the communities of western Pennsylvania.
Right-to-Know in Mercer County
The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 gives the public the right to request records from Mercer County government agencies. You can submit a request online or in writing through the county's open records office at mercercountypa.gov/open-records. Police reports and administrative records may be obtained this way. The county must respond within five business days. Copy fees apply per the state schedule.
Appeals from denied RTKL requests go to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov. Court records are requested separately through the Mercer County Clerk of Courts and are governed by court rules rather than the RTKL. Legal aid assistance for Mercer County residents is available through palegalaid.net.
Cities in Mercer County
Mercer County includes Hermitage, Sharon, Grove City, Farrell, Greenville, and other communities in western Pennsylvania. All DUI cases from Mercer County municipalities are handled by the 36th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas located in the borough of Mercer.
Nearby Counties
Mercer County borders several western Pennsylvania counties and is situated near the Ohio state line. DUI cases are filed in the county where the arrest occurred. Check the police report for the county of jurisdiction.