Access Lehigh County Warrant Records
Lehigh County warrant records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Judicial Records, and local police agencies in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The county seat is Allentown, where the courthouse stands at 455 West Hamilton Street. Lehigh County is in eastern Pennsylvania within the Lehigh Valley region. Warrant records include arrest warrants, bench warrants, and criminal case filings processed through the county court system. Several offices work together to manage these records and help the public access them.
Lehigh County Sheriff Warrant Division
The Lehigh County Sheriff's Office is at 455 West Hamilton Street in Allentown. The office handles warrant service, civil process, and courthouse security. The sheriff's warrant division is the main point of contact for people who need to check on active warrants.
You can check warrant status in several ways. Call the Warrant Division directly. Visit the sheriff's office in person at the courthouse. You can also use the UJS Portal or contact the Clerk of Judicial Records. The sheriff's main phone number is 610-782-3175.
The Allentown Police Warrants Unit also plays a role. It helps with extraditions when someone with a warrant is found in another county or state. If you need to resolve a warrant through the city, contact the Allentown Police for guidance.
Below is the Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records page, which handles criminal case filings and warrant records.
Visit the Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records page for details on criminal record access.
| Sheriff |
Lehigh County Sheriff's Office 455 W Hamilton St Allentown, PA 18101 Phone: 610-782-3175 |
|---|---|
| Clerk |
Clerk of Judicial Records, Criminal Division Phone: (610) 782-3077 Copies: $0.25 per page |
| RTK Officer |
Sheila Dutra-Michel Email: OpenRecords@lehighcounty.org |
Searching Lehigh County Warrant Records
Lehigh County offers several paths for looking up warrant records. Here are the main options.
The UJS Portal is the best starting point. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us and enter a name or docket number. The portal covers all 67 Pennsylvania counties. It shows case types, charges, and court dates. It is free and open to the public.
You can also call the sheriff's Warrant Division at 610-782-3175. Staff can tell you if a warrant is active. For copies of case documents, contact the Clerk of Judicial Records at (610) 782-3077. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Walk-in visits to the courthouse in Allentown are also an option during business hours.
- Search the UJS Portal for free
- Call the Warrant Division at 610-782-3175
- Contact the Clerk at (610) 782-3077
- Visit the courthouse at 455 W Hamilton St
Warrant Types in Lehigh County Courts
Lehigh County courts issue several types of warrants. Each one has its own rules and purpose.
Arrest warrants require probable cause. A police officer writes an affidavit under Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 513. A judge reviews the facts. If there is enough evidence, the judge signs the warrant. Law enforcement can then make the arrest anywhere in the state. The affidavit becomes part of the court file.
Bench warrants are issued when someone fails to appear for a hearing. Missing a court date in Lehigh County leads to this type of warrant. The same applies if a person does not pay fines or follow a court order. Bench warrants remain open until the person appears or is found by police.
Search warrants allow police to enter a specific place to look for evidence. A judge must approve the request first. The warrant names the location and the items police want to find. After the search, a return is filed with the court. These records are usually public once the case moves forward.
Lehigh County Public Records
Most warrant records in Lehigh County are available to the public. Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law protects this access. You can file a request with the county's Right-to-Know Officer, Sheila Dutra-Michel, by emailing OpenRecords@lehighcounty.org. The county must respond within five business days.
The Clerk of Judicial Records also provides direct access to criminal case files. Copies are $0.25 per page. You can request them by phone, in person, or through a formal records request. Most adult criminal records are open. Juvenile cases, sealed files, and some active investigations are restricted.
If a request is denied, you can appeal to the Office of Open Records. The appeal is free. The state office reviews the county's decision and can order the records released if they should be public.
Criminal Background Checks
A warrant search looks at open warrants only. A criminal background check looks at a full history. Both are useful, but they answer different questions.
For a statewide criminal history check, use the PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov. It pulls records from all 67 counties. Results include convictions, pending cases, and dispositions. The system is fast and covers the whole state.
For Lehigh County records alone, the UJS Portal or the Clerk of Judicial Records will work. Combine these with PATCH for the most complete picture. Each tool covers a different part of the record.
Resolving a Warrant in Lehigh County
An open warrant does not go away on its own. It stays active until the court resolves it. If you have one in Lehigh County, the best move is to act now rather than later.
Get legal advice first. A lawyer can look at your case and help you plan. They may set up a hearing so you can go to court without being held. The Lehigh County Bar Association can help you find an attorney. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net may offer free help if you meet income limits.
You can also call the sheriff at 610-782-3175. Ask about your case and find out what the court needs. Coming forward on your own is viewed better than being found during a routine police stop. It also gives you more control over the process.
Nearby Counties
Lehigh County is in the Lehigh Valley of eastern Pennsylvania. Warrant records are filed in the county where the case began. Check your address to confirm you are looking in the right place.