Reading Traffic Court Records
Reading traffic court records are maintained through the 9th Judicial District in Berks County. Reading is the county seat of Berks County and serves as the hub for traffic case filings in the region. The Reading Municipal Court handles city traffic matters, while Magisterial District Courts process citations across the wider county. You can search Reading traffic court records online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal or visit the Berks County Courthouse in person. This page covers where records are kept, how to find them, and what to expect at each step.
Reading Traffic Court Quick Facts
Reading Municipal Court and Berks County Traffic Courts
Reading is the county seat of Berks County and sits within the 9th Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The Berks County Court of Common Pleas oversees the court system for the area, including traffic matters that move beyond the initial citation stage. The Reading Municipal Court handles traffic violations filed within city limits. Magisterial District Courts (MDJs) serve Reading and the surrounding Berks County communities, and most traffic citations start at the MDJ level.
The Berks County Courthouse is located in Reading, PA. It houses the Clerk of Courts, the Prothonotary, and other court-related offices. The Clerk of Courts at Berks County maintains criminal court records, which includes traffic citation appeals and related filings. Their phone number is 610-478-6550. The Prothonotary office handles civil court records and civil traffic matters. You can reach the Prothonotary at 610-478-6970. Both offices are located at the Berks County Courthouse in Reading.
| Court | Reading Municipal Court / Berks County Court of Common Pleas |
|---|---|
| Judicial District | 9th Judicial District |
| Courthouse | Berks County Courthouse, Reading, PA |
| Clerk of Courts | 610-478-6550 |
| Prothonotary | 610-478-6970 |
| Copy Fee | $0.25 per page; certified copies $5.00 |
The Berks County Clerk of Courts processes traffic citation appeals from MDJ decisions. When a driver contests a citation and loses at the MDJ level, the appeal goes to the Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Courts office files and maintains those records. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for standard copies. Certified copies carry a fee of $5.00 each.
Note: The Reading Municipal Court handles city-level traffic violations. Cases that start in MDJ courts and move to appeal are managed through the Berks County Clerk of Courts at the courthouse in Reading.
Search Reading Traffic Court Records Online
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System offers a public online portal for searching Reading traffic court records. You can look up cases at no cost using a defendant name, docket number, or citation number. The portal shows party names, filing dates, hearing schedules, and current case status. Visit ujsportal.pacourts.us and select the appropriate court type to begin your search for Reading traffic cases.
For case-level detail, the UJS Case Search at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch lets you search MDJ and Common Pleas dockets across Berks County including Reading. You can search by docket number format or by party name. Results include the judge assigned, the citation type, filing date, and case outcome. This tool is free and requires no login. It covers both active and closed Reading traffic court cases.
The Berks County Prothonotary also maintains online access for civil court records. You can visit the Berks County Prothonotary page for information on searching civil traffic matters. For criminal traffic records through appeals, the Clerk of Courts office is the correct contact. Both the UJS Portal and the Berks County court offices cover the full range of Reading traffic court records in the public domain.
Reading Traffic Court Records Resources
The Pennsylvania UJS Portal is the primary statewide tool for searching traffic court records, including Reading traffic cases filed through Berks County courts and MDJ offices.
This screenshot shows the UJS Portal homepage, where you can search for Reading traffic court records by docket number, party name, or citation number at no charge.
The Pennsylvania Courts website provides statewide information on court structure, public access policies, and resources for finding traffic court records in Reading and throughout Berks County.
This page explains the structure of the Pennsylvania court system, which governs how Reading traffic court records are created, filed, and made available to the public.
The PennDOT online driver record system lets drivers request their own driving history, which includes traffic violations and court dispositions from Reading and other Pennsylvania locations.
Drivers can use this PennDOT portal to pull a certified driving record that reflects traffic court outcomes from Reading and other counties across Pennsylvania.
In-Person Access to Reading Traffic Records
You can visit the Berks County Courthouse in Reading to inspect traffic court records in person. The Clerk of Courts office handles criminal traffic files including appeals from MDJ decisions. Call 610-478-6550 before visiting to confirm hours and record availability. The Prothonotary office at 610-478-6970 handles civil traffic matters filed at the Common Pleas level.
When you visit in person, bring a valid photo ID and the case number or the name of the party you are searching. Staff can help locate files by name or citation number. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies, which are often needed for legal proceedings, cost $5.00 each. Bring enough cash or check to cover copy fees at the time of your visit. It is always a good idea to call ahead to confirm current fees before your trip.
The Reading Municipal Court handles city-specific traffic matters. If your case was filed within Reading city limits at the Municipal Court level, you may need to contact that court directly for access to the original file. The UJS Portal is the best first step when you want to confirm where a case was filed before making an in-person visit.
Note: Certified copies of Berks County traffic court records cost $5.00 per document. Standard page copies are $0.25 each. Call 610-478-6550 to confirm fees and hours before visiting the Clerk of Courts in Reading.
Reading Traffic Citation Appeals Process
Traffic citations in Reading are initially handled by a Magisterial District Judge. If you disagree with the outcome, you have the right to appeal. Appeals from MDJ traffic decisions are filed with the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. You must file within 30 days of the MDJ's decision. Missing that window means you lose your right to appeal in most cases.
The appeal is heard de novo, which means the Common Pleas court reviews the case fresh. You present your evidence again as if the original hearing never took place. The Berks County Clerk of Courts processes the appeal filing. The Pennsylvania statutes governing traffic proceedings establish the rules for these appeals. Understanding those rules before you file helps ensure you meet all procedural requirements in the Reading courts.
Traffic matters before Pennsylvania courts fall under Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The provisions at 42 Pa.C.S. Section 1302 define the jurisdiction of minor courts, which includes MDJs handling Reading traffic citations. The rules at 42 Pa.C.S. Section 1515 address magisterial district court jurisdiction further. Knowing which section applies to your Reading traffic case helps when preparing an appeal.
Paying Reading Traffic Court Fines
Fines for Reading traffic citations can often be paid online through the PAePay system. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch to look up your case first. Once you find your case, the portal shows available payment options. PAePay accepts major credit and debit cards. Keep your payment confirmation for your records. Payments generally process the same business day.
In-person payment is also available. Visit the MDJ office that handled your citation or the Berks County Courthouse in Reading. Bring your citation number to speed up the process. If you are unsure whether you have an open case or outstanding fine, search your case first on the UJS Portal before visiting. This saves time and helps you arrive with the correct payment amount.
- Online payment: PAePay at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch
- In-person payment: MDJ office or Berks County Courthouse, Reading
- Clerk of Courts phone: 610-478-6550
- Prothonotary phone: 610-478-6970
- Copy fees: $0.25/page; certified copies $5.00
The PennDOT public records FAQ explains how traffic court outcomes affect your driving record. Paying a fine may or may not clear a license suspension depending on the violation type. Check your driving record after a Reading traffic court case resolves to confirm the status of your license.
Berks County Traffic Court Records
Reading sits at the center of Berks County's court system. The county page covers the full structure of Berks County courts, the Clerk of Courts, the Prothonotary, and additional resources for finding traffic court records across the 9th Judicial District.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Other cities near Reading have their own local traffic courts. Select a city below to find traffic court records in that area.