Franklin County Criminal Records Search
Franklin County arrest records are available to the public through the Clerk of Courts in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Located in south-central Pennsylvania near the Maryland border, Franklin County is part of the 39th Judicial District. The Court of Common Pleas in Chambersburg handles felonies, misdemeanors, and other criminal matters filed in Franklin County. Residents can search arrest and criminal records through the state UJS portal for free or visit the courthouse to request documents and certified copies.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts for Franklin County is located at the courthouse annex in Chambersburg. The main courthouse address is 157 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, PA 17201. The Clerk of Courts handles all criminal court filings, maintains case records, and provides copies to the public. The phone for the Clerk's office is (717) 261-3805, and the fax is (717) 261-3896. The Court Administrator's office is at Memorial Square in Chambersburg, reachable at (717) 261-3848.
Franklin County criminal records at the Court of Common Pleas include felony and misdemeanor cases, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and all documents filed during the life of a criminal case. Most of these records are open to the public. Juvenile records and sealed cases are not available through public channels. The Clerk of Courts can search records by name, docket number, or case number. Staff are available Monday through Friday during standard business hours.
The Franklin County government website at franklincountypa.gov provides details on all county offices, including the Clerk of Courts, court schedules, and information on how to access public court records in Franklin County.
| Court |
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas 157 Lincoln Way East Chambersburg, PA 17201 Phone: (717) 261-3805 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | franklincountypa.gov |
Franklin County Magisterial District Courts
Franklin County has several Magisterial District Judge courts that handle initial proceedings in criminal cases, including preliminary hearings, summary offenses, and small claims. These courts are the first point of contact when someone is charged with a crime in Franklin County. MDJ courts also process traffic citations and issue emergency Protection from Abuse orders.
The three main MDJ offices serving Franklin County are listed below. Hours vary by office, so contact them in advance before visiting.
- MDJ Cunningham 39-3-05: 401 S. Washington St., Greencastle, PA 17225, Phone: (717) 597-8581
- MDJ Eyer 39-3-06: 113 S. Main Street, Mercersburg, PA 17236, Phone: (717) 328-3521
- MDJ Manns 39-2-01: 218 N. Second Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201, Phone: (717) 263-5808
Docket records from Franklin County MDJ courts are available through the UJS portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. You can search by name, case number, citation number, or complaint number. The portal is free and does not require an account. MDJ records in Franklin County show the charges filed, bail amount, preliminary hearing outcome, and case progression to Common Pleas if applicable.
Franklin County Magisterial District Courts are located in Greencastle, Mercersburg, and Chambersburg, handling the initial stages of criminal cases and preliminary hearings tied to Franklin County arrest records.
Note: Franklin County shares the 39th Judicial District with Fulton County. Some administrative functions for the district are managed jointly from Chambersburg.
Franklin County Jail Records
The Franklin County Jail is at 1804 Opportunity Ave, Chambersburg, PA 17201. The jail phone is (717) 264-9513. In-person requests for arrest records are accepted at the jail. When requesting records, provide the arrestee's name, the arrest date, or the jail number. The email for the jail is jail@franklincountypa.gov. Fax requests can be sent to (717) 264-6766.
For individuals who have been transferred to state prison, use the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections inmate locator at inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov. This tool is free and covers all state correctional facilities in Pennsylvania. It is separate from the Franklin County Jail and covers only state-sentenced individuals.
Pennsylvania Arrest Records for Franklin County
The Pennsylvania State Police PATCH database includes Franklin County arrest records from all reporting agencies in the county. Local police departments that contribute to PATCH in Franklin County include the Chambersburg Police Department, Waynesboro Police Department, and multiple other municipal departments throughout the county. State Police also cover rural areas and report arrests from those areas into the statewide system.
You can request a PATCH criminal history check at epatch.state.pa.us. The standard fee is $22. Online requests are available, or you can mail Form SP 4-164 to the State Police. Results cover all Pennsylvania arrests, not just Franklin County records. Notarized copies are available at a higher cost and may be required for court filings or legal proceedings.
The Criminal History Record Information Act, 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101, governs how criminal records in Pennsylvania are accessed and used. Franklin County arrest records in the PATCH system are subject to these rules. Access to certain records may be restricted depending on the outcome of the case or court orders. Visit pa.gov/agencies/psp for more on Pennsylvania State Police services and record requests.
Public Records Access in Franklin County
Franklin County follows the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law for public records requests. Submit written requests to the relevant office. The standard response time is five business days under 65 P.S. § 67.101. Copy fees follow state guidelines at $0.25 per page. Most criminal court records in Franklin County are accessible without a formal RTKL request because they are available through the UJS portal or the Clerk of Courts office in Chambersburg.
The UJS portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us allows you to search Franklin County criminal dockets by attorney name, citation number, complaint number, date filed, docket number, incident number, or participant name. A Request for Access Form is also available for mail submissions when online access is not sufficient for your needs.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County is located in south-central Pennsylvania. It borders Cumberland County to the north, Adams County to the east, Fulton County to the west, and Bedford County to the northwest. Franklin County also shares a border with the state of Maryland to the south. Check which county a specific address falls in to make sure you are searching the right records.