Chester County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Known by locals as Chesco, Chester County has a population of over 536,400 and is located in the Delaware Valley region of Pennsylvania. Its county seat is West Chester, which is also its largest city. Chester County's trial court system consists of the Magisterial District Courts and the Courts of Common Pleas. While having broad jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters, the Common Pleas Court is typically restricted to considering cases that do not come under the jurisdiction of its lower court.

A broader variety of cases are handled by the Chester County Courts of Common Pleas. This covers all felonies and lesser crimes, unrestricted civil claims, child support, and divorce proceedings in domestic relationships, juvenile cases, adoptions, and birth certificate revisions. They also deal with arbitration reviews and appeals of certain administrative rulings. The Orphans' Court Division of this court deals with guardianships, estates, wills, and the termination of parental rights. Specialized Family Court and Domestic Relations Divisions of the county's Court of Common Pleas concentrate on matters such as child support collection, divorce, and custody. Less complicated cases are heard by the Magisterial District Courts in Chester County. Preliminary hearings for certain serious crimes and the majority of minor charges fall under their jurisdiction. They can also handle particular offenses, some ordinance violations, and DUI cases. They manage some landlord-tenant issues in limited civil proceedings. These courts, however, are unable to hear civil cases involving the state government. Magisterial District Courts are run by District Judges.

The amount of progress made by the Chester County legal system is demonstrated by the fact that it currently handles about 318,180 cases a year. The county is an example of the value of having a strong judicial system, with 59,363 infractions per 100,000 residents. Chester County maintains its court records, which are accessible to the public. To search court records, use the public records platform. Note that certain records such as personal medical records are exempt from the public.

In summary, the Chester County court system is a vital part of the county government and is committed to upholding justice across the legal system. Together, the Courts of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts offer a strong legal framework that can handle a variety of cases. The adoption of an electronic system that guarantees accessibility and transparency while safeguarding court data has raised public trust in the Chester County legal system.