Criminal records in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. MonroeCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly accessible information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official state judicial portal, county law enforcement agencies, and directly at the court clerk's office. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and requesting criminal records in Monroe County.
How to Search Criminal Records in Monroe
There are several ways to find criminal records in Monroe County. The choice depends on what specific information you are looking for and how quickly you need it.
Online Search
- MonroeCourt.us — start here if you want to find public information about county criminal cases. You will need the person's full name or case number for the search.
- Pennsylvania UJS Portal — the Unified Judicial System allows you to search cases in the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas and magisterial courts. Searches can be conducted by name, case number, or docket number.
- C-Track Search — a search system for civil cases and court indices of the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas. Although C-Track is primarily focused on civil cases, it is useful for checking related Prothonotary records.
- PA Department of Corrections Inmate Search — if a person is sentenced to state-level imprisonment, use this tool. You will need the last name or inmate number.
In-Person Visit
The Clerk of Courts at the Monroe County Courthouse maintains criminal dockets. You can visit the courthouse in Stroudsburg and request access to public records. Typically, there are self-service search terminals in the courtroom. Bring identification and know the full name and approximate birth date of the person you are searching for.
Written Request
A request for criminal records can be sent by mail to the court clerk's office or through the Monroe County Office of Open Records. Provide the full name, date of birth (if known), and case number. State-level criminal history checks are processed by the Pennsylvania State Police — submit form SP4-164 online or by mail.
What you need to start a search:
- Full name and surname of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number or docket number (if known)
Search Monroe Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in Pennsylvania is assigned a standardized number. Understanding its structure speeds up the search and reduces the likelihood of errors.
The Court of Common Pleas case number format looks like this:
CP-45-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY
- CP — Court of Common Pleas
- 45 — Monroe County code (each Pennsylvania county has a unique two-digit code)
- CR — case type: Criminal
- XXXXXXX — sequential case number
- YYYY — year of filing
For Magisterial District Court cases, the format is different: MJ-45XXX-CR-XXXXXXX-YYYY, where "45XXX" is the specific magisterial district number. If you only see part of the number, try entering what you have into the UJS portal — the system often returns results even with an incomplete number.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Monroe
When you find a criminal case, the docket contains several key categories of data. Here's what each of them means in practice.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to Title 18 or another section of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes — for example, 18 Pa.C.S. § 3502 for burglary |
| Severity Degree | Felony (serious crime, degrees 1–3), Misdemeanor (less serious, degrees 1–3), Summary offense (minor violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may modify or drop individual charges during proceedings |
Case Status
- Active / Pending — the case is still under court consideration
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all obligations have been fulfilled, and the case is closed
Hearings
A typical criminal case in Monroe County goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first appearance of the accused before a judge, announcement of charges
- Preliminary Hearing — a magistrate judge determines if there is enough evidence to transfer the case to the Court of Common Pleas
- Pre-trial Conference — parties discuss the possibility of a plea deal or prepare for trial
- Trial — substantive case consideration
- Sentencing — issuance of a sentence
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with sentence conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by court verdict or plea agreement |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict — usually due to insufficient evidence or procedural grounds |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| ARD | Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition — a program for offenders without prior convictions in Pennsylvania |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Monroe
Certified copies of criminal records are required for employment, immigration procedures, or legal purposes. A regular printout from the web portal does not replace a certified document.
Where to Apply
Clerk of Courts — Monroe County Courthouse
The Clerk of Courts issues certified copies of criminal dockets, sentences, and other court documents. Contact the office in person or send a written request by mail.
State-Level Criminal History Check
The Pennsylvania State Police processes requests for an official Criminal Background Check. Requests can be submitted online through the PATCH (Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History) system on the PSP website.
What is Needed for the Request
- Full name and date of birth of the person
- Applicant's identification document (for in-person requests)
- Case number (if requesting a copy of a specific docket)
- Payment of applicable fees
To obtain records through the Office of Open Records of the county, submit a request according to the Right-to-Know Law (Act 3 of 2008). Requests can be sent by mail to:
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Monroe
Fees depend on the type of document and the method of request. Below are approximate rates based on current county and state rates.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (uncertified) | $0.25 per page | Standard rate under the Right-to-Know Law |
| Certified copy of court document | From $5.00 and up | Depends on document volume; check with the Clerk of Courts |
| Criminal history check (PSP PATCH — online) | $22.00 | Through the Pennsylvania State Police system |
| Criminal history check (PSP — by mail) | $22.00 | Form SP4-164 plus money order |
| FBI check (fingerprints) | From $23.50 | Through an approved fingerprinting service provider |
Processing Times
- Online search via PATCH — results are usually available within minutes
- Mail request to PSP — from two to four weeks
- Certified copy from Clerk of Courts — depends on office workload; sometimes issued the same day for in-person requests
- Request through Open Records — the county is required to respond within five business days under the Right-to-Know Law, with a possible extension of up to 30 days
Check current fees directly with the sheriff's office or court clerk's office, as rates may change.