Dauphin County Traffic Court Records
Dauphin County traffic court records are filed and maintained through the county seat of Harrisburg, which also serves as Pennsylvania's state capital. The county operates 17 Magisterial District Courts spread across its townships and boroughs. Each MDJ office handles traffic citations, summary offenses, and minor violations for its local area. You can search Dauphin County traffic court records using the statewide UJS Portal at no cost. Records include docket sheets, hearing dates, verdicts, and payment history for all open and closed traffic cases.
Dauphin County Quick Facts
How to Search Dauphin County Traffic Court Records
The main tool for finding Dauphin County traffic court records is the UJS Web Portal maintained by the Pennsylvania courts. You can search by defendant name, docket number, or date range. The portal covers all MDJ courts and the Court of Common Pleas in Dauphin County. Results show case status, charges, hearing dates, and outcomes. The search is free and open to the public at any time.
For in-person requests, visit the Dauphin County Courthouse at Front and Market Streets in Harrisburg. The Prothonotary office handles civil traffic appeals and is reachable at 717-780-6670. The Clerk of Courts handles criminal traffic records and can be reached at 717-780-6690. Both offices are open during regular business hours. Staff can pull specific case files, provide copies, and confirm record details that may not appear in the online search.
Traffic citations in Dauphin County are first filed at the MDJ level. That is where the initial hearing takes place. If you are looking for a specific citation, the MDJ docket number will help you locate the right record in the UJS system.
Note: Dauphin County processes traffic payments at the MDJ level. The county courthouse does not accept citation payments directly.
Dauphin County Court Structure for Traffic Cases
Dauphin County is part of the 12th Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The Court of Common Pleas sits at the top of the local court hierarchy and has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters, including traffic appeals. Below it, 17 Magisterial District Courts handle the day-to-day flow of traffic citations issued across the county. Each MDJ serves a specific geographic area, from Harrisburg's urban neighborhoods to the rural townships in the northern and eastern parts of the county.
The Dauphin County official website provides access to court information, elected official contacts, and links to county services. When a driver receives a traffic citation in Dauphin County, it goes to the MDJ for that area. The MDJ schedules the hearing, takes payment, or sends the matter forward if contested. If the driver wants to fight the outcome, the case moves to the Court of Common Pleas on appeal.
Under 42 Pa.C.S. Section 1515, Magisterial District Judges have jurisdiction over summary traffic offenses throughout Pennsylvania. Dauphin County's 17 MDJ courts each operate within this statewide framework.
The image above shows the Dauphin County official site at dauphincounty.gov, which links to each elected court office. The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts are both accessible from this portal.
Dauphin County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
Dauphin County operates separate offices for civil and criminal court records. The Prothonotary, Stephenie L. Salzmann, maintains civil records including traffic appeals that come through the civil division. Her office is located at the Dauphin County Courthouse, Front and Market Streets, Harrisburg, PA 17101. The main phone number is 717-780-6670. Civil traffic appeals are filed with this office.
The Clerk of Courts office handles criminal court records and is reachable at 717-780-6690. This office processes criminal traffic matters and appeals from MDJ decisions that carry criminal implications. Both offices are at the same courthouse location. Public access to records is available during business hours. You can also access many records through the UJS Portal without visiting in person.
| Prothonotary |
Stephenie L. Salzmann Dauphin County Courthouse Front and Market Streets, Harrisburg, PA 17101 Phone: 717-780-6670 |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts |
Dauphin County Courthouse Front and Market Streets, Harrisburg, PA 17101 Phone: 717-780-6690 |
| Online Access | ujsportal.pacourts.us |
Note: Both the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts offices allow public inspection of court records during normal business hours at the Harrisburg courthouse.
What Dauphin County Traffic Court Records Include
A Dauphin County traffic court docket sheet shows the full record for a single case. It lists the defendant's name and address, the citing officer and department, the specific charge, the statute number from the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, and the date the citation was issued. Each docket also shows when the case was filed at the MDJ, any continuances granted, and the final outcome including verdicts and any fines imposed.
For cases that moved to appeal, the docket includes the appeal filing date, the assigned Common Pleas judge, and the result of the new hearing. Payment records appear on the docket as well. If a fine was paid, the date and amount show up in the record. The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, Title 75, defines the offenses that generate these records throughout the state, and the specific code section appears on each Dauphin County traffic docket.
Most docket sheets are available through the UJS Portal the same day or the next business day after a hearing. Older records go back many years in the system.
Appealing a Traffic Case in Dauphin County
If a Magisterial District Judge rules against you in a Dauphin County traffic case, you can appeal to the Court of Common Pleas. The appeal must be filed within 30 days of the MDJ's final order. The filing fee is $35.00 per citation. Each citation requires its own fee if you received more than one.
The appeal goes to the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas at the courthouse on Front and Market Streets. This is a de novo hearing. The case starts fresh, and you present your full defense to a Common Pleas judge. Under 42 Pa.C.S. Section 1302, the Court of Common Pleas has authority over appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction, which includes MDJ traffic decisions. The Prothonotary's office at 717-780-6670 handles appeal filings and can answer questions about the process.
New records are created for every appeal. These Common Pleas records are also public and searchable through the UJS Portal. Filing an appeal does not pause any PennDOT action on your driving record.
PennDOT Driver Records and Dauphin County Convictions
Every traffic conviction in Dauphin County is reported to PennDOT. The state records the conviction on your driving history and applies points based on the type of violation. Speeding, running a red light, and other moving violations each carry a set number of points under the Pennsylvania point system.
You can view your driving record online using the PennDOT driver records portal. The standard record costs $15.00 and requires Form DL-503. It shows all convictions reported from Dauphin County and every other Pennsylvania county. The PennDOT public records FAQ explains who may request a record and what information it includes. Dauphin County convictions carry the same weight as those from any other county when PennDOT calculates your point total.
Note: Reaching six points triggers a written warning from PennDOT, and further accumulation can lead to a license hearing or suspension.
Nearby Counties
Dauphin County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If you are not sure which county issued your citation, check the location listed on the ticket.