Traffic Court Records in Washington County
Washington County traffic court records are managed by the 27th Judicial District in southwestern Pennsylvania. Ten Magisterial District Courts spread across the county handle traffic citations at the local level. Washington County traffic court records can be searched for free through the UJS Web Portal using a defendant name, docket number, or citation number. The Clerk of Courts and the Prothonotary each maintain separate offices at the county courthouse in the city of Washington. This page covers where to find those records and what each office is responsible for.
Washington County Quick Facts
How to Search Washington County Traffic Court Records
Washington County traffic court records are available online at no cost through the UJS Web Portal. This statewide tool covers all ten MDJ courts in Washington County and the Court of Common Pleas. You can search by defendant name, docket number, or citation number. Each result shows the charge, hearing schedule, and case outcome. The portal is accessible at any hour and requires no account to use.
For in-person access, the Clerk of Courts office is at 1 South Main Street, Suite 1005, Washington, PA 15301. Clerk Ray Phillips oversees all criminal records, including criminal traffic matters. The phone is 724-228-6787. The Prothonotary, Laura Hough, handles civil records from 95 West Beau Street, Suite 510, and can be reached at 724-228-6770. Civil and criminal traffic records are held in separate offices, so knowing which type you need will save time.
The court information desk at (724) 228-6999 can direct you to the right division when you are unsure. Services available through the Clerk of Courts include record searches, processing of expungements, and bail bond records. Public web docket sheets are available at ujsportal.pacourts.us without a fee.
Note: Search fees apply to in-person requests at the Clerk of Courts. The current fee is $10.50 per search, plus $0.25 per page for copies and $10.00 for certified copies.
Washington County Court Structure for Traffic Cases
Washington County is the 27th Judicial District of Pennsylvania. President Judge John F. DiSalle presides over the Court of Common Pleas. The court has divisions covering civil, criminal, domestic relations and family, juvenile, and orphans court matters. Traffic cases start at the MDJ level and can be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas. The courthouse is at 1 South Main Street in the city of Washington.
The Washington County Courts website shown above provides a directory of all divisions, court contacts, and procedural information. The site is the main resource for finding current court schedules, judge assignments, and how to access Washington County traffic court records through the court system directly. Motions practice information and filing instructions are also available here.
Under 42 Pa.C.S. Section 1302, traffic court jurisdiction in Pennsylvania is governed at the state level. Washington County follows these statewide rules. The ten MDJ courts handle all initial traffic citations, and cases that are contested or appealed move to the Court of Common Pleas at 1 South Main Street.
Washington County Clerk of Courts and Traffic Records
The Washington County Clerk of Courts page shown above describes the services provided by Clerk Ray Phillips. The Clerk maintains all criminal matters, including criminal traffic cases that reach the Court of Common Pleas. The office processes expungements, handles bail bonds, and conducts record searches for the public. The second floor location at 1 South Main Street, Suite 1005 is the place to go for copies of criminal traffic dockets in Washington County.
Public web docket sheets are available online and do not require a visit to the courthouse. For cases that need certified copies or physical file review, the Clerk of Courts office is open during regular courthouse hours. You can call 724-228-6787 to ask about a specific case or confirm what documents are available before making the trip.
Under 42 Pa.C.S. Section 1515, Magisterial District Judge jurisdiction applies statewide. In Washington County, MDJ decisions on traffic citations feed into the Clerk of Courts system when cases are appealed or escalated to the Common Pleas level.
Washington County Traffic Court Records at MDJ Courts
Washington County has ten Magisterial District Courts, which is more than most counties in the region. Each MDJ court handles traffic citations for its geographic area. Drivers cited in Washington County appear before the MDJ for their area. The MDJ records those proceedings and reports results to PennDOT and to the Court of Common Pleas system.
The Washington County court directory shown above lists all MDJ offices and their jurisdictions. The Clerk of Courts address at 1 S Main St, #1005 and the Prothonotary at 1 S Main St, #1001 are both in the same building, though on different floors. Knowing which office to approach depends on whether your traffic matter is civil or criminal in nature.
All Washington County traffic court records at the MDJ level are searchable through the UJS Portal. The portal pulls from all MDJ databases statewide, so you can search Washington County alongside neighboring counties if needed. This is useful when checking whether a citation was filed in the correct jurisdiction.
Note: The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, Title 75 defines the offenses handled by MDJ courts throughout Washington County and the rest of the state.
Washington County Traffic Records Fees and Access
The Washington County court records page shown above provides a summary of where offices are located and what fees apply. The Court of Common Pleas is at 1 South Main Street, Washington, PA 15301. The Clerk of Courts for criminal records is at 100 W Beau Street, Suite 206, reachable at (724) 228-6787. The Prothonotary for civil records is at 95 West Beau Street, Suite 510, at (724) 228-6770.
Fees for accessing Washington County traffic court records in person include a $10.50 search fee, copies at $0.25 per page, and certified copies at $10.00. Online access through the UJS Portal is free. The Pennsylvania Courts website provides general guidance on accessing court records across all 67 counties, including Washington.
The PennDOT driver records portal shows how traffic convictions from Washington County appear on your driving record. The PennDOT public records FAQ explains who may request records and what is included in each report type.
Nearby Counties
Washington County sits in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania. It borders several counties in the region. If your citation was issued near a county line, check the citation itself to confirm which county court holds the record.