Find Traffic Court Records in Allegheny County
Allegheny County traffic court records come from multiple courts serving Pennsylvania's second-largest county. Pittsburgh Municipal Court handles traffic offenses within city limits, while Magisterial District Courts cover the rest of Allegheny County. Records from all these courts are part of the public record and can be searched through the UJS Portal or by contacting the Allegheny County courts directly. This page walks you through how the system works and how to find Allegheny County traffic court records quickly.
Allegheny County Quick Facts
Allegheny County Traffic Court Structure
The Allegheny County Courts website covers all court information for this district. Allegheny County is the 5th Judicial District of Pennsylvania. It has one of the most complex court structures in the state. The Court of Common Pleas sits at the top. Below it are Pittsburgh Municipal Court and more than ten Magisterial District Courts spread across the county.
The Allegheny County Courts website at alleghenycourts.us serves as the central resource for all case and contact information in the district.
Pittsburgh Municipal Court sits at 660 First Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. It handles traffic offenses committed within Pittsburgh city limits. The Traffic Division phone number is 412.350.6720. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The court handles over 70,000 cases each year. That number includes traffic matters along with other summary offenses filed in Pittsburgh. Outside the city, Allegheny County's MDJ courts handle traffic citations for all other municipalities.
Appeals from any MDJ or Municipal Court traffic decision go to the Court of Common Pleas under 42 Pa.C.S. §1515. The appeal must be filed within 30 days of the judgment.
Pittsburgh Municipal Court Traffic Division Records
The Pittsburgh Municipal Court Traffic Division processes thousands of citations each year from within city limits. These records are separate from those filed at the MDJ offices in other parts of Allegheny County.
Pittsburgh Municipal Court is the main traffic court for the City of Pittsburgh, handling city traffic violations and maintaining official dockets for all proceedings.
Traffic records from Pittsburgh Municipal Court are part of the Unified Judicial System. You can search them through the UJS Portal case search by entering a name or case number. The portal shows docket entries and dispositions for city traffic cases. For full documents, contact the Traffic Division directly at 412.350.6720 or visit the courthouse at 660 First Avenue. Staff can assist you with finding specific cases and getting copies of hearing records and court orders.
Note: Pittsburgh Municipal Court records and county MDJ records both appear in the UJS Portal, but they are filed under different docket prefixes.
Allegheny County Traffic Records Public Access
The Allegheny County public access policy governs how court records are made available to the public. The policy was updated effective January 1, 2022, and applies to all case records including traffic matters.
Under the updated Allegheny County public access policy, confidential information must be redacted from filings, and a separate Confidential Information Form is required for sensitive data submitted to the court.
Traffic records in Allegheny County are generally public. Court Administration is located at 300 Frick Building in Pittsburgh. The Clerk of Courts office maintains criminal records including traffic citation appeals. Staff can help you search records and obtain certified copies. The Prothonotary handles civil matters. Under 42 Pa.C.S. §1302, courts must keep complete records of all proceedings.
Searching Allegheny County Traffic Court Filings
Start your search at the UJS Portal. Enter the name of the driver or the citation number. The system searches across all Allegheny County courts including Pittsburgh Municipal Court and all MDJ offices. You can filter results by court type and date range. Basic docket information is free. This is the most efficient way to find Allegheny County traffic court records without visiting in person.
For in-person searches, you have several options in Allegheny County. The Clerk of Courts office at the Allegheny County Courthouse handles criminal traffic records. The Prothonotary handles civil cases. Pittsburgh Municipal Court handles city traffic cases at 660 First Avenue. Each location has staff who can search records and provide copies during business hours Monday through Friday.
Mail requests are accepted at the Allegheny County Courthouse. Include the full name, approximate case date, and case type in your letter. Copy fees apply for any documents you request. Certified copies carry an additional charge.
PennDOT maintains a separate driver record for each licensed driver. View your own record through the PennDOT online driver record service. Traffic convictions in Allegheny County are reported to PennDOT and appear on your driver record. More details on public records are available from the PennDOT public records FAQ.
Allegheny County Traffic Citation and Appeals Process
Traffic citations in Allegheny County follow Pennsylvania's standard summary offense process. When a citation is issued, the driver is notified by mail. The notice tells you the charge, the fine amount, and how to respond. You can pay, request a hearing, or plead not guilty. Each choice creates a record in the Allegheny County traffic court system.
If you contest the citation, a hearing is scheduled at the appropriate court. For Pittsburgh citations, that is Pittsburgh Municipal Court. For other municipalities in Allegheny County, it is your local MDJ office. After the hearing, you can appeal to the Court of Common Pleas. The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code under Title 75 sets out all traffic offenses and their penalties. Appeals must follow the procedure set by Rule 1002 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure.
The Pennsylvania Courts website provides information on all courts in the 5th Judicial District including contact details and procedural guides for Allegheny County.
Cities in Allegheny County
Allegheny County includes Pittsburgh and more than 100 municipalities. Traffic cases within Pittsburgh are handled by Pittsburgh Municipal Court. Cases from all other municipalities go to the appropriate MDJ office serving that area.
Pittsburgh is the county seat of Allegheny County. Its Traffic Division at Pittsburgh Municipal Court handles city traffic matters separately from the county MDJ system.
Nearby Counties
Allegheny County borders several other counties in western Pennsylvania. Traffic cases are filed in the county where the offense occurred. Check the citation to confirm which county court has jurisdiction.