Find Scranton Traffic Court Records
Scranton traffic court records are maintained by the Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records and the Magisterial District Judge courts that serve the city. Scranton is the county seat of Lackawanna County and home to the 45th Judicial District. You can search Scranton traffic court records online through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal or visit the clerk's office in person. Records cover citations, hearings, fines, and case outcomes for all traffic matters handled within city limits.
Scranton Quick Facts
Scranton Traffic Court System
Scranton sits within the 45th Judicial District, which covers all of Lackawanna County. Traffic citations issued in Scranton go first to one of the Magisterial District Judge courts spread throughout the city and county. MDJ judges handle summary traffic offenses under 42 Pa.C.S. §1515, which grants them authority over vehicle code violations. A driver who receives a citation in Scranton will typically have their first hearing before a local MDJ.
The Central Court for the 45th District is located at 200 N Washington Avenue in Scranton. This office handles preliminary hearings and other matters for the district. Multiple MDJ offices operate throughout Scranton and the surrounding Lackawanna County area. The specific MDJ assigned to your case depends on where the citation was issued within the city.
If you disagree with an MDJ decision, you can appeal to the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas. The court is in the same city, making appeals convenient for Scranton residents. Under 42 Pa.C.S. §1302, the Court of Common Pleas has general jurisdiction over appeals from MDJ traffic decisions. The Clerk of Judicial Records office manages court records for both levels of the court system in Lackawanna County.
Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records
The Clerk of Judicial Records in Lackawanna County maintains traffic court records for Scranton and all of Lackawanna County. Lauren Mailen serves as the Clerk of Judicial Records. Her office is the primary point of contact for certified copies of court records, including traffic citation dockets and case files from both the MDJ and Common Pleas levels.
| Office | Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Lauren Mailen |
| Address | 123 Wyoming Avenue, 1st Floor Scranton, PA 18503 |
| Phone | 570-963-6723 |
| Website | lackawannacounty.org |
The office handles traffic citation forms including the Certificate of Motor Vehicle Judgment, which documents the outcome of a traffic case. Staff can assist with record requests, certified copies, and questions about specific docket numbers. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Call 570-963-6723 before visiting to confirm what documents you need to bring.
Note: The clerk's office processes requests for case records but cannot provide legal advice about pending or resolved traffic cases.
Searching Scranton Traffic Court Records
The Pennsylvania UJS Portal is the most direct online tool for Scranton traffic court records. It covers all MDJ and Common Pleas courts throughout the state, including those in Lackawanna County. Searches are free and do not require an account. You can search by name, docket number, or citation number. Results display offense details, hearing dates, and case status.
Use the UJS case search and select "Magisterial District Courts" to find citations still at the MDJ level. Switch to "Common Pleas" for appealed cases. The Lackawanna County civil and family dockets are also available going back to 1995 through the portal. Documents from the early 2000s forward are available online at no cost for many case types.
Scranton drivers can also use the Lackawanna County resources at pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us/lackawanna/ for additional county-specific record information. This resource covers common pleas records and provides context on how Lackawanna County's court system is organized.
Lackawanna County Court Records Access
The Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records page at lackawannacounty.org provides details on how to access traffic court records, request documents, and reach the clerk's office by phone or in person.
The clerk's office at 123 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton is the central location for obtaining official copies of traffic court records from both MDJ courts and the Court of Common Pleas.
Additional information about Lackawanna County court records is available through pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us/lackawanna/, which indexes records and explains the structure of the 45th Judicial District's court system.
Scranton traffic court records from the MDJ level are integrated into the statewide UJS Portal system, allowing searches from anywhere with internet access.
What Scranton Traffic Court Records Show
Scranton traffic court records document each step of a citation's life from issuance to final outcome. The record starts when a Scranton police officer or state trooper files the citation with the MDJ. Every court action after that point becomes part of the public record.
A complete traffic court record in Scranton includes the date, time, and location of the alleged offense. It also lists the specific Pennsylvania Vehicle Code section charged under Title 75. The record shows the officer's identification, the defendant's name, the MDJ who handled the case, and the outcome. Fine amounts, any license suspension ordered, and any appeal activity are also part of the record. The Pennsylvania Courts system makes these records public under court access rules.
The Certificate of Motor Vehicle Judgment is a specific form available from the Clerk of Judicial Records. It shows the final outcome of a traffic case and is often needed for license reinstatement or insurance purposes. Call Lauren Mailen's office at 570-963-6723 to request this form.
Note: Certain records involving minors may have restricted access even for traffic-related matters in Lackawanna County.
Paying Scranton Traffic Fines
Scranton drivers can pay traffic fines through Pennsylvania's PAePay online system. PAePay is available around the clock and accepts credit and debit cards. You need your docket number or citation number to access your case. Once payment is submitted, the MDJ court record updates to show the citation as resolved.
In-person payment is available at the MDJ office that issued your citation. Bring the citation document and a valid photo ID. The clerk's office at 123 Wyoming Avenue also handles certain payment-related requests for Common Pleas-level cases. If you want to contest the citation, you must request a hearing before the MDJ rather than paying. Paying without contesting closes the case and is treated as a guilty plea under Pennsylvania court rules.
PennDOT Records for Scranton Drivers
Your PennDOT driver record reflects all traffic convictions that courts in Scranton and across Pennsylvania have reported to the state. Every time a Scranton traffic case ends in a conviction, the MDJ sends the outcome to PennDOT. Points are assigned based on the offense type under Title 75 of the Vehicle Code.
Scranton drivers can order their driver record through PennDOT's online record portal. Certified copies are available for a fee and are accepted by courts, insurance carriers, and agencies requiring proof of driving history. A non-certified copy costs less and works for personal review. The record shows current points, active restrictions, and the status of your license. Drivers approaching the point threshold should monitor their record and consider contesting future citations to avoid suspension.
Lackawanna County Traffic Court Records
Scranton is the county seat of Lackawanna County, and all Scranton traffic matters are part of the Lackawanna County court system. The county page covers the full scope of court offices, contact information, and how to access records across the 45th Judicial District.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Other cities in Pennsylvania have their own court systems for traffic citations. Choose a city below to learn how to access traffic court records in that area.