Crawford County Traffic Court Records Search
Crawford County traffic court records are public documents filed in the 28th Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The county seat is Meadville, where the Crawford County Courthouse houses both the Prothonotary and the Clerk of Courts offices. Traffic citations issued anywhere in Crawford County are first handled by a Magisterial District Judge. Records from those cases, and any appeals to the Court of Common Pleas, are accessible to the public through the UJS Portal or in person at the courthouse. This page explains how to find Crawford County traffic court records and what information they contain.
Crawford County Quick Facts
Crawford County Court of Common Pleas
Crawford County makes up the 28th Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The Court of Common Pleas in Meadville has full jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters in the county, including traffic appeals brought up from the Magisterial District Courts. The court has separate Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts offices, unlike counties where one office handles both functions.
The Prothonotary maintains civil court records in Crawford County. This includes civil traffic matters and appeals. The Clerk of Courts maintains criminal court records, including traffic citation appeals and summary offense cases. Both offices are located at the Crawford County Courthouse in Meadville.
Multiple Magisterial District Courts serve Crawford County. Each MDJ office covers a set of municipalities within the county. Traffic citations issued by state police, local officers, or other law enforcement are sent to the MDJ for the area where the stop occurred. Under 42 Pa.C.S. §1302, MDJ courts have authority over summary traffic offenses throughout Pennsylvania.
Crawford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
Kristine C. VanTassel serves as the Prothonotary for Crawford County. The Prothonotary office maintains all civil court records, including civil traffic matters, and provides copies for public use. Online access is available through the statewide UJS Portal. The Prothonotary office can also conduct in-person case lookups and prepare certified copies upon request.
The Clerk of Courts office handles criminal case records in Crawford County. Traffic citation appeals and summary offense cases that move from MDJ courts to the Court of Common Pleas are maintained by the Clerk of Courts. Both offices are open to the public during business hours at the Crawford County Courthouse.
| Prothonotary |
Kristine C. VanTassel Crawford County Courthouse 903 Diamond Park Meadville, PA 16335 Phone: 814-333-7320 |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts |
Crawford County Courthouse 903 Diamond Park Meadville, PA 16335 |
| Online Access | ujsportal.pacourts.us |
Note: Call ahead to confirm current hours and any fee schedules before visiting the Crawford County courthouse to request traffic court records.
How to Search Crawford County Traffic Court Records
The Pennsylvania UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch is the easiest starting point for Crawford County traffic court record searches. The portal is free and open to the public. Search by name or docket number to pull up case status, charges, hearing dates, and docket entries. The system covers both MDJ-level citations and Court of Common Pleas appeal records for Crawford County.
For records not available online, visit or contact the Crawford County Courthouse. The Prothonotary handles civil record requests, and the Clerk of Courts handles criminal and traffic appeal records. Mail requests are also accepted if you include payment for copy fees. Bring or include the defendant's full name, the case number, or the citation number to speed up the search.
The UJS Portal is updated regularly as courts enter new data. Records for very recent citations may take a few days to appear in the system after filing.
Traffic Citations and Appeals in Crawford County
When a driver receives a traffic citation in Crawford County, the citing officer submits the citation to the appropriate Magisterial District Court. The driver has the option to pay the fine, which is treated as a guilty plea and closes the case, or to request a hearing before the MDJ. At the hearing, the officer and the driver both appear. The MDJ issues a ruling. If the driver is found guilty, fines and court costs are set at that time.
Drivers who lose at the MDJ level can appeal to the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas. Pennsylvania allows 30 days from the MDJ sentencing date to file the appeal. The appeal fee is $35 per citation. You file at the Clerk of Courts office in Meadville. The appeal results in a trial de novo at the Common Pleas level. The driver and the officer both present their case again from scratch. The MDJ ruling does not bind the Common Pleas judge. If the driver wins, the conviction is removed and PennDOT is notified to update the driving record.
Under 42 Pa.C.S. §1515, MDJ courts across Pennsylvania have jurisdiction over summary traffic offenses. This includes the MDJ courts serving Crawford County's municipalities.
Traffic fines and costs in Crawford County can be paid at the MDJ office, at the courthouse, or in some cases online through the UJS Portal payment system. Contact the relevant MDJ office for specific payment options.
PennDOT Driver Records and Crawford County Cases
Traffic court records in Crawford County reflect what happened in court. A PennDOT driving record is a separate document that tracks a driver's full violation and conviction history statewide. After a traffic case closes in Crawford County, the court reports the outcome to PennDOT. PennDOT then updates the driver's license record with any points or suspensions that apply under the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, Title 75.
To get a PennDOT driving record, complete Form DL-503 and pay the $15 fee. You can order online at appsca.pwp.pa.gov/idr or mail the form to PennDOT in Harrisburg. The record covers all Pennsylvania convictions, not just Crawford County cases. For questions about PennDOT records access, visit the PennDOT public records FAQ page.
Crawford County Traffic Court Record Contents
A traffic court docket in Crawford County shows all events in a case. This includes the citation details, the charges, the MDJ hearing date, the ruling, any fines, and payment status. If the case was appealed to Common Pleas, the docket also shows the appeal date, the new hearing, and the final ruling. Cases that were dismissed, withdrawn, or transferred also appear in the record.
Crawford County traffic court records are open to the public. Anyone can request to view them. You do not need to be a party to the case. Common items found in a traffic court record include:
- Defendant name and address
- Offense charged under the Vehicle Code
- Violation date and location
- Hearing dates and results
- Fines and court costs assessed
- Appeal history if applicable
- Case closure date and final status
To get certified copies, visit the Crawford County Courthouse in Meadville. Bring the case number or defendant name. Staff will locate the record and prepare copies. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call 814-333-7320 to ask about the current fee schedule before visiting.
Public Access to Crawford County Records
Pennsylvania's Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System governs how court records, including Crawford County traffic court records, are made available to the public. Most traffic records are fully accessible. You can view them in person at the courthouse, request copies by mail, or search basic data online through the UJS Portal.
Written public records requests go to the Prothonotary (civil matters) or the Clerk of Courts (criminal and traffic appeals). Include the case number or defendant name, your contact information, and payment for any applicable fees. The office will process your request and provide the records in the order received. Certified copies are available for cases that need official authentication.
More information about how Pennsylvania courts handle public access is available at pacourts.us. That site also has contact information, court policies, and links to individual county court pages for the 28th Judicial District.
Nearby Pennsylvania Counties
Crawford County is in northwestern Pennsylvania and shares borders with several other counties. If a traffic citation was issued near a county line, verify which county the stop occurred in before filing an appeal or requesting records.