Office of Judicial Records - Criminal

Q. Can I pay bail online?
A: ePay Bail ( https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/bail/Default.aspx ) can only be used when posting bail on Municipal Court Cases (Case Docket Number must begin with MC-51-CR) and there are no other court imposed restrictions. All major credit cards and debit cards are acceptable methods of payment. Payments are accepted 24 hours a day.

Q. What do I do after I complete online payment of bail?
A. After the completion of the ePay bail process, you MUST contact the Bail Acceptance Unit and advise the Bail Clerk that a bail has been posted. The office operates 24 hours and the phone numbers are (215) 683-7726/7727. If bail was posted for a defendant incarcerated at CFCF, the defendant may be picked up at the prison facility located at 7901 State Road, Philadelphia PA 19136. Please call the Records Room at CFCF Prison (215) 685-8434 to inquire into the estimated timeframe of processing paperwork and release.

Q. What if I want to be the Surety of bail paid online?
A. If you paid bail online and wish for the funds to be returned to you, you need to change the status from "Payer" to "Surety". To complete this activity you will have to appear in person at the basement of CJC located at 1301 Filbert Street, Philadelphia PA 19107. You will need to bring a valid government-issued identification card and a copy of the ePay bail receipt.

Please be advised that the "Surety" is liable for the FULL AMOUNT of the bail if the defendant fails to appear for court and the bail is forfeited.

Q. Where is bail posted?
A: Cash bail can be posted 24 hours, seven days a week, including holidays, at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert Street, Basement Level in the Payment Center. The phone numbers for any inquiries are (215) 683-7726/7727.
Members of the public can also post bail online 24 hours a day via UJS portal at
https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/bail/Default.aspx

Q. What are the acceptable methods of payment for Bail?
A. Bail Acceptance accepts the following methods of payment:

1. Cash
Cash bail can be posted in the name of the defendant or a third party surety.

2. Credit/Debit cards
All major credit cards and debit cards are accepted - except American Express. Credit card users must become the surety and the person posting the bail must have photo ID to match the name on the credit card.

3. Certified bank checks
Certified bank checks are accepted only from 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The check must be made payable to the Office of Judicial Records.

4. Real Estate
Bail can also be posted by using real estate. An assessment of the property value, in conjunction with any liens and other judgments will determine if the property has enough equity to use as collateral. All real estate bail must cover 100% of the bail amount.

Q. Will my loved one be released after payment of Bail?
A. Payment of bail does not guarantee the release of a person. There may be outstanding warrants and/or detainers for other jurisdictions. If the defendant is incarcerated at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility (CFCF), please call the CFCF Records Room to inquire into other holds/detainers and whether the defendant can be released upon bail payment. The Records Room at CFCF Prison operates 24 hours and the contact number is (215) 685-8434.

Q. What if I made the payment, but do not wish to be the Surety of bail?
A. By posting payment through ePay Bail, the system recognizes you only as a "Payer" for the defendant. You relinquish any right to make a claim for the return of the money under PA Rules of Criminal Procedure. You will not be held accountable for the defendant's actions in complying with the conditions of release. The defendant will be deemed the depositor of the money, and any money will be returned to the defendant, not to you.

Q. Will I receive back the full bail payment?
A. In all cases where cash bail is posted, the Office of Judicial Records shall retain 30% of the deposited amount, but in no case less than $10.00, or more than $1,500.00 as administrative cost. 20 days after the full and final disposition of the case (after time to appeal the case is over), the amount deposited, minus the retained amount, will be released to the defendant, or the surety, who has made the deposit.

Q. When and where is bail refund obtained?
A: As per State Rule 534, unless bail is revoked, a bail bond is valid until the full and final disposition of the case, including all avenues of appeal to the Supreme Court of PA. Refunds are mailed within 20 days after the full and final disposition of the case, which includes the expiration of the appeal period (30 days from sentencing date). Refund checks are printed and mailed to the surety at the last known address. Questions pertaining to bail refunds can be answered in the CJC, 1301 Filbert Street, Payment Center, Room B-02, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. through 5:00p.m., or via phone at 215-683-7723/4.

Q. Can I request a bail refund without a receipt?
A: Yes. Visit the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert Street, Payment Center, Basement, Window #1, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. You will need the case number and the original form of identification used when bail was posted. We will process the request and forward it to the correct Office. Please be advised that all payments are mailed out and no payment is provided in person.

Q. What is a Bail Piece?
A. A certificate granted by a judge that allows the original Surety of a particular bail to have their name removed as the responsible party for future activities.

Q. How can I obtain a Bail Piece?
A. A surety can obtain a Bail Piece by filing a motion for "Bail Piece" at the Criminal Motions Counter, 2nd floor of the CJC. The fee is $12.50. A hearing will be scheduled, at which, the surety must present the defendant for the issuance of the Bail Piece.

Note: The best way to successfully obtain a "Bail Piece" is when the defendant is in county custody for a bench warrant or involvement in another case.

Q. Can bail money be refunded while a case is on appeal?
A: When a case is on appeal to the Superior or Supreme Court, the surety may obtain a bail refund ONLY if the sentencing judge orders that the bail be refunded. If the judge continues the defendant's bail - pending the appeal decision - the bail money cannot be refunded.

Q. What is considered full and final disposition for refund purpose?
A. Full and final disposition means 30 days from the sentencing date - allowing for the expiration of the appeal time frame.

Q. What is a Bench Warrant?
A: A bench warrant is issued by a judge authorizing the arrest of a person who failed to appear for a court date or is in violation of contempt charges.

Q. Where does a defendant go to surrender for a bench warrant?
A: The Surrender Room is located in the Basement of the CJC, Room B-04. The person should surrender between the hours of 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM. After surrender, the defendant will be given a court hearing on the same day of surrender.

Q. Where do I pay court fines, costs and restitution?
A: Payments in person may be made at:

1. The Payment Center (windows 2 and 3), CJC, 1301 Filbert Street, Basement, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Phone number is 215-683-7721.

2. The Payment Center at 714 Market Street, 1st Floor, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

3. The Payment Center (windows 4 and 5), CJC, 1301 Filbert Street, Basement, during non-business hours. Phone number is 215-683-7726/7727.
Only exact cash payments are accepted.

Q. Can I make payments online?
A: Yes. The Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System allows the public to securely make payments on cases and payment plans with outstanding balances in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Common Pleas and Magisterial District courts. Payments are accepted using Visa, MasterCard and Discover, as well as by ATM/Debit cards. Log onto https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/ePay/Default.aspx.

Q. Where can I get a copy of my fines and cost balance?
A: Fines and Cost questions can be addressed in person at the Payment Center, 1301 Filbert Street, Room B-02, or via phone at 215-683-7721.

Q. How do I get into a payment plan?
A. If you would like to enroll in a payment plan, or have monthly payments adjusted, please visit the Office of Court Compliance (OCC) at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert Street, Basement level, Room B-04. Hours of operations are 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. A Payment Hearing will be scheduled before a Trial Commissioner who will make the adjustments based on your current situation.

Q. Can the public and defendants see the addresses and phone numbers of complainants, witnesses, and jurors?
A. No. The addresses and phone numbers of complainants, witnesses, and jurors are not public information. Only the names of jurors that are selected for the trial are public. The Arrest Report, Municipal Court Hearing List, and PARS Arrest Report are not public documents as they contain the addresses of the complainants and witnesses.

Q. Can county custody information (prison location) of a defendant be provided at the CJC?
A. Yes. Custody information can be provided at the Information Counter, 206 or 310 CJC. We cannot give the exact dates of confinement. Only the Prison Registrar (215-685-8434) can provide the exact dates.

Q. Can the public (i.e. family, friends, and news reporters) review an active or disposed court file?
A: Yes, the public can review the court record. The person must show identification (i.e. driver's license and fill out a request form). The person cannot view the following confidential documents: Presentence Investigation Report, Mental Health Evaluation, Jury information, Suppression Notes of Testimony, PARS Arrest Report, Pretrial Bail Guidelines, and the defendant's secure court history.

Q. Where can the public review a disposed record?
A: All requests are made at the Information Counters (206 or 310) in the CJC. Please bring a form of identification with you. Common Pleas Court (1988-present) and Municipal Court disposed files (1990-present) are housed in the CJC. Older files are stored off-site at the Record Storage Center. There is a waiting period for records in the off-site storage facility. Before a disposed record can be reviewed, restricted documents will be removed.

Q. Where are certified copies of disposed cases obtained?
A: Certified copies of disposed records are available at the Information Counter, Room 310, CJC for a fee of $12.50 per case. You may make non-certified copies of the court record at a cost of $0.50 per page. Notes of testimony can be reviewed, but they cannot be copied. If someone wants to order notes of testimony they need to contact the Court Reporters at 215-683-8000.

Q. What is a Letter of Good Conduct and how do I obtain one?
A. A "Letter of Good Conduct" is issued by the Police Department after a search is completed by the Police in their database. The "Letter of Good Conduct" is used to show that the person was never arrested as of the date of the search. To obtain a "Letter of Good Conduct", the person must go to Department of Records, Room 168 City Hall, 215-686-1488, and ask for a Letter of Good Conduct. There is a fee of $40.00. You are not required to have your fingerprints taken. The Department of Records will send the application to the Philadelphia Police Dept., Record Room, where a search will be conducted by name, address, date of birth, and other criteria. If there are no arrests, the Police Dept. will send a "Letter of Good Conduct" within 8 to 10 business days to the individual.

Q. How do I obtain a Subpoena or a Subpoena Duces Tecum?
A: You can obtain a Subpoena at the CJC, 1301 Filbert Street, Information Counter, Room 310 for a $2.00 fee.

Q. How can I get a record expunged?
A: You can file an Expungement Motion at the Motions Counter, Room 206 CJC. Phone number is 215-683-7518. There is a fee of $147.00. You may also file electronically here.

Q. What records can be expunged?

• Nonconvictions
• verdict of not guilty
• dismissal
• withdrawal of charges
• nolle prosequi
• Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD)
• Probation Without Verdict pursuant to the Controlled Substances Act
• Summary offenses, provided the defendant has been free of arrest or prosecution for five (5) years following the conviction for that offense.

Q. How can I claim property seized by the Police?
A: You can file a Return of Property Petition at the Criminal Motions Unit, Room 206 CJC, for property taken from you by the Philadelphia Police. Phone number is 215 683-7518. The petition costs $12.50. You will receive a court date in the Court of Common Pleas. If the petition is granted, the petitioner takes a certified order, proper identification and proceeds to room 715 City Hall to retrieve the property.

Q. How can a defendant update or change their personal information?
A: You can file a petition to change information (i.e. date of birth, name, and social security number). A hearing will be scheduled by the Motions Unit. There is a fee of $12.50

Q. How do I obtain a Private Detective License?
A: You can obtain information from The Office of Judicial Records, room 310 CJC at 215 683-7700 /7701 /7702. Completed petitions can be filed at the Motions Unit, room 206 CJC. After a petition is filed for a Private Detective License, a background investigation is conducted by the District Attorney's Office prior to the court hearing.

Q. How can I appeal my sentence from Municipal Court to the Court of Common Pleas Court?
A. You have 30 days to appeal from the date of your sentence. You may file your appeal in person at the Motions Unit (215-683-7518), Room 206, in the CJC. You may also file the appeal electronically here. There is no fee to file an appeal from Municipal to Common Pleas Court.

Q. How do I file an appeal from a Traffic Division sentence to the Court of Common Pleas?
A. You must file the appeal at Traffic Division within 30 days of your sentence. The filing fee is $35.00 per police stop. You will be given a court date to appear in Traffic Division Courtroom D, 800 Spring Garden Street for your appeal hearing. The filing fee is non-refundable.

Q. Where are appeals from criminal cases filed for the Superior, Commonwealth, and Supreme Courts?
A. These appeals are filed at the Appeals Unit, Room 206 CJC, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Phone number is 215-683-7525. Filing fee is $40.00 for the Office of Judicial Records and $90.25 for the respective appellate court. Two checks are required at time of filing, unless the attorney is court-appointed. You may also file the appeal electronically here.

Q. Upon DUI conviction with a license suspension when does my suspension begin?
A. Your license suspension only begins once your license is surrendered to PENNDOT or any state police barracks.

Q. What if I never had a driver's license and was convicted of a DUI with a license suspension?
A. Contact PENNDOT for further instructions.

Q. What is required before I can request a license restoration on a DUI case?
A. Before the Office of Judicial Records - Criminal Division can notify PENNDOT the following requirements must be satisfied if ordered:

• Completion of all court-ordered conditions/programs
• Obtain a current Restoration Requirement Letter from PENNDOT
• Proof of completion of prison term (Act 151) - if applicable
• Proof of completion of drug/alcohol treatment program (Act 122)
• This is not the same as Alcohol Highway Safety School

Q. Where and how do I go about restoring my driver's license?
A. Bring the above information to the Office of Judicial Records - Criminal Division 1301 Filbert Street room 402, Philadelphia PA 19107. Once the information has been processed, an electronic submission will be provided to PENNDOT for license restoration.

The Office of Judicial Records - Criminal Division does not handle license suspension cases related to failure to take a breathalyzer or for moving violations.

Q. If I appeal my DUI conviction, will PENNDOT be notified to remove the suspension?
A. The Office of Judicial Records - Criminal Division will notify PENNDOT of DUI convictions that have been appealed.

Q. Where can I obtain the court date and courtroom for my next court hearing?
A. On the second floor of the CJC at the Information Counter; phone number is 215 683-7004 /7005 /7006. The public web portal is also available at http://ujsportal.pacourts.us

Q. How do I reschedule a court date for a summary case?
A: Call the Summary Unit (215-683-7287) or go to the Information Counter, 2nd floor in the CJC.

Philadelphia District Attorney's Office:
3 South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215 686-8000.

Defender Association of Philadelphia:
1441 Samson Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, 215 568-3190.
CJC Office, 1301 Filbert Street, Room 407.

Jenkins Law Library:
833 Chestnut Street, Suite 1220, 215 574-7900. Hours are 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Small Claims Court:
1339 Chestnut Street, Phila., PA 19107. Phone number is 215 686-2901.

Private Criminal Complaint:
The person must go to Municipal Court, 1425 Arch Street, 4th floor. Phone number is 215 686-9863 for filing fees and other information.

Parking Authority:
913 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-561-3636.

Marriage License:
Room 413, City Hall. The phone number is 215-686-2233.

Judicial Complaints:
PA Judicial Conduct Board, 301 Chestnut Street, Suite 403, Harrisburg, PA 17101, 215 234-7911 or 1 800 525-8261.

Office of Court Reporters:
100 S Broad St, Land Title Bldg., 2nd Floor, 215-683-8000.

U.S. Immigration Office:
1600 Callowhill St, Phila., Pa. 19130, 215-656-7140

• Notice of Appeal from Summary Criminal Conviction - Form 01-204
• Notice of Appeal from Municipal Court to the Court of Common Pleas - Form 01-205

• Application for Court Appointment Certification - NON-HOMICIDE
• Application for Court Appointment Certification – HOMICIDE

• Jury Waiver - Short Form
• Jury Waiver - Long Form (English)
• Jury Waiver - Long Form (Spanish)

• Motion to Vacate or Reduce Bail Judgment - Form 01-211
• Motion for Return of Property Packet
• Petition for Expungement Pursuant to Pa. R.Crim. P. 490
• Petition for Expungement Pursuant to Pa. R.Crim. P. 790
• Petition for Limited Access Pursuant to Pa. R.Crim. P. 791
• Petition for Order for Limited Access Pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 791

• Judge Lerner Capital Trial Panel Appointment Application - Form 01-213
• Rule 801 Verification of Certification - Form 01-207
• Per Diem Appearance Slip - Form 08-001
• Entry of Appearance
• Waiver of Arraignment
• Electronic Monitoring - House Arrest Form
• Interpreter Request Form
• Spanish Interpreter Request Form
• Attorney Video Hearing Request - County
• Attorney Video Hearing Request - State

• Guilty Plea Colloquy Form (English)
• Nolo Plea Colloquy (English)
• Guilty Plea Colloquy (Spanish)
• Nolo Plea Colloquy (Spanish)
• Plea - Short Form

• Best Practices
• Detailed Guidelines For Interpreters
• Participant Guidelines (English)
• Participant Guidelines (Spanish)

• Restitution Request Form

• SORNA Tier I
• SORNA Tier II
• SORNA Tier III

• Stay Away Order

• Subpoena Duces Tecum - (Not to be Used as a Personal Appearance Subpoena) - Form 01-10
• Personal Appearance Subpoena - (Not to be Used as a Subpoena Duces Tecum) - Form 01-12