Clinton County Traffic Court Records
Clinton County traffic court records are public documents maintained by the 25th Judicial District in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. These records cover traffic citations, summary offense cases, and appeal filings heard by the Magisterial District Courts and the Court of Common Pleas. Whether you need a docket sheet, case history, or driving record for legal or personal reasons, Clinton County provides several ways to access traffic court records. The county seat is Lock Haven, and the combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office serves as the primary records keeper for the district.
Clinton County Quick Facts
How to Search Clinton County Traffic Court Records
The fastest way to find Clinton County traffic court records is through the Unified Judicial System (UJS) Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This free statewide tool lets you search by name or case number. Results show case status, charges, hearing dates, and docket entries. It covers both MDJ-level traffic citations and appeals filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Most records appear in the system within a few days of filing.
You can also search Clinton County traffic court records in person at the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office in Lock Haven. Staff can look up cases, print docket sheets, and provide copies of court documents. Bring the driver's name, the citation number, or an approximate case date to help staff locate the record quickly. The office is located at the Clinton County Courthouse on 230 East Main Street in Lock Haven. Call ahead at 570-893-4015 to confirm hours and what to bring before making the trip.
For traffic conviction history tied to a driver's license, you will need a separate PennDOT driving record. The court system and PennDOT records are not the same thing, but both are useful when researching a driving history in Clinton County.
Note: Online records through the UJS Portal show basic case data. Full docket sheets and certified copies require a visit to the Clerk's office or a written request.
Clinton County Court Structure
Clinton County is part of the 25th Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The Court of Common Pleas in Lock Haven holds general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters, including traffic appeals. Below the Common Pleas level, three Magisterial District Courts handle traffic citations as the first point of contact for drivers cited in Clinton County.
The three MDJ offices serve different geographic areas. MDJ 25-3-01 covers Lock Haven and nearby townships. MDJ 25-3-02 serves Mill Hall and the western part of the county. MDJ 25-3-03 covers Renovo and the northern areas of Clinton County. Traffic citations issued by state police or local officers anywhere in Clinton County are assigned to the MDJ office for that area. Hearings are held at the MDJ level unless a driver requests a trial.
Under 42 Pa.C.S. §1302, Magisterial District Judges have authority over summary offenses, which includes most traffic violations. Drivers who want to contest a citation at a higher level may appeal to the Court of Common Pleas.
Clinton County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
Angela A. Vesco serves as the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts for Clinton County. This is a combined office that handles both civil court records (Prothonotary) and criminal court records (Clerk of Courts). Traffic records that move from the MDJ level to the Court of Common Pleas on appeal are maintained by this office. The office also handles appeals, motions, and other filings related to traffic cases in Clinton County.
| Office |
Clinton County Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts Angela A. Vesco Clinton County Courthouse 230 East Main Street Lock Haven, PA 17745 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 570-893-4015 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Online Access | ujsportal.pacourts.us |
The combined office structure means one visit gets you access to both civil and criminal traffic records in Clinton County. Staff process public records requests under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. Copy fees apply for printed documents.
Traffic Citation Process in Clinton County
When a driver receives a traffic citation in Clinton County, the officer sends the citation to the appropriate Magisterial District Court. The driver can pay the fine, request a hearing, or ignore the citation (which leads to license suspension). Paying the fine is an admission of the violation. Requesting a hearing means the case goes before the MDJ for a formal proceeding. The driver and the citing officer both appear. The MDJ rules on the case and sets any fines or penalties.
If the driver disagrees with the MDJ ruling, they can appeal to the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas. Pennsylvania law gives drivers 30 days from the date of the MDJ sentencing to file an appeal. The appeal fee is $35 per citation. You file the appeal with the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office in Lock Haven. Appeals in Clinton County result in a trial de novo, meaning the case is heard fresh in Common Pleas court. The MDJ record is part of the appeal file but the new court does not simply review it. Both sides present evidence again.
Under 42 Pa.C.S. §1515, MDJ jurisdiction covers summary traffic offenses. Once an appeal is filed with the Common Pleas court, the higher court takes full jurisdiction over the matter.
Note: Filing an appeal does not automatically stay any license suspension. Drivers should consult an attorney about protective orders if their license is at risk during the appeal period.
Clinton County PennDOT Driving Records
Court records and PennDOT driving records are separate documents. Traffic court records in Clinton County show what happened in court. A PennDOT driving record shows what points and convictions appear on a driver's license history. Both types of records are public in Pennsylvania.
To get a PennDOT driving record, use Form DL-503. The fee is $15 for a standard record. You can order online at appsca.pwp.pa.gov/idr or mail the request to PennDOT in Harrisburg. The record shows all convictions, point totals, suspensions, and restoration dates. Employers, attorneys, and insurance companies often request this record in addition to the court docket.
For answers to common questions about PennDOT public records, visit the PennDOT public records FAQ page. Clinton County drivers who believe a conviction was wrongly reported to PennDOT can contact the Clerk of Courts office to review the reporting record.
What Clinton County Traffic Court Records Show
A traffic court docket from Clinton County contains several key pieces of information. The docket lists the defendant's name, the citation number, the offense charged, the date and location of the alleged violation, and the statute involved. It also shows all court dates, hearing results, fines imposed, and payment status. If an appeal was filed, the docket notes the appeal date and outcome.
Records in Clinton County typically include:
- Defendant name and date of birth
- Offense description and vehicle code section
- Disposition (guilty, not guilty, dismissed)
- Fine amount and payment status
- Points assessed and any license action
- Appeal filings and outcomes
Docket sheets are available to the public under the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, Title 75. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be the defendant to view a traffic court record in Clinton County. Certified copies cost more than plain copies and are required for court or legal proceedings.
Online Access to Pennsylvania Traffic Records
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System provides statewide online access to court records, including traffic cases from Clinton County. The portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch allows public searches by name or docket number at no cost.
The UJS Portal covers MDJ-level cases and Common Pleas records across all 67 counties, including Clinton County. Results include docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. This is a good starting point for anyone researching a traffic matter in the 25th Judicial District.
Public Access to Clinton County Court Records
Pennsylvania courts follow the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System, which governs how court records are made available to the public. Clinton County traffic court records are generally open for inspection. Anyone can visit the courthouse or use the UJS Portal to view basic case data. Full case files and documents may require a formal request and payment of copy fees.
Written requests for records from the Clinton County courthouse go to the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office. You can also submit requests by mail with a check for the applicable fees. Copy fees are set by the court and vary by document type. Certified copies require an additional fee. Staff process requests in the order they are received. Some older records may require extra time to retrieve from storage.
Information about the broader Pennsylvania courts system is available at pacourts.us. That site covers court policies, forms, and contact information for all districts, including the 25th Judicial District serving Clinton County.
Note: Some records involving juveniles or sealed cases may not be available for public inspection even though most traffic court records in Clinton County are fully public.
Nearby Pennsylvania Counties
Clinton County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If you are not sure which court has jurisdiction over a traffic case, check the address where the citation was issued. Traffic citations go to the MDJ serving the municipality where the stop occurred.