Philadelphia County Traffic Citations and Court Records

Philadelphia County is the most populous county in Pennsylvania, home to more than 1.6 million residents. It is a consolidated city-county, meaning the city and county share the same government and borders. Traffic violations in Philadelphia are handled by the Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division, a court with its own dedicated staff, judges, and online payment system. Records from this division are public and can be searched through both the Philadelphia Courts website and the statewide Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal. This page explains how to find, read, and respond to traffic ticket records in Philadelphia County.

Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division

Philadelphia County has a unique court structure for traffic cases. Most Pennsylvania counties use Magisterial District Judges for traffic offenses. Philadelphia uses a different system. The Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division was established under Act 17 of 2013, which abolished the former Philadelphia Traffic Court and moved its functions into the Municipal Court. This change brought stronger oversight and a more streamlined process for drivers cited in Philadelphia County.

The Traffic Division is located at 800 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA. It is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The court handles all violations of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code that occur within Philadelphia County. Administrative Judge Joffie C. Pittman III has overseen the division since his appointment on January 3, 2022. The broader Philadelphia Municipal Court has 27 law-trained judges, with President Judge T. Francis Shields also serving the court.

The Traffic Division handles red light citations, stop sign violations, driving without a license, and cases involving unregistered or uninsured vehicles. It does not handle parking violations, red-light camera tickets, or speed camera tickets. Parking violations go to the Philadelphia Parking Authority at 215-683-9600. Red-light camera tickets are handled at 844-248-0449. Speed camera tickets are handled at 866-790-4111. Knowing which office handles your specific citation in Philadelphia County avoids delays.

Note: The Traffic Division at 800 Spring Garden Street is separate from other Philadelphia Municipal Court locations. Confirm the correct address before your hearing date.

Searching Philadelphia County Traffic Ticket Records Online

Two main tools let you search traffic ticket records in Philadelphia County. The first is the Philadelphia Courts ePay and case search system at courts.phila.gov. This system lets you look up your case by citation number or by name. You can view case status and pay your fine online using the ePay feature. The second tool is the statewide UJS portal, which covers all Pennsylvania courts including those in Philadelphia County.

To use the Philadelphia Courts system, go to courts.phila.gov/traffic and follow the links to case search or ePay. You will need the citation number from your ticket or the defendant's full name and date of birth. Results show the current status of the case, the violation type, any fines assessed, and the scheduled court date. The UJS portal covers the same cases and also shows the full docket sheet with every court action recorded from issuance to final disposition.

Language rights are guaranteed at the Philadelphia Courts. Free interpreters are available for all proceedings. The court also provides ADA accommodations and has The Center, an Elder Justice and Civil Resource Center located at City Hall. These resources reflect the broad services available to all Philadelphia County residents dealing with traffic ticket records and related court matters.

What Philadelphia County Traffic Court Records Contain

A traffic court record in Philadelphia County documents the entire life of a traffic citation. The record begins with the citation itself, which captures the defendant's name and date of birth, the date and exact location of the violation, the Vehicle Code section charged, and the name of the citing officer. Once the citation is filed with the Traffic Division, the court adds its own entries as the case moves forward.

Records show all scheduled court dates and whether the defendant appeared. Fines and court costs are itemized in the record. If the driver requested a hearing, the outcome of that hearing is noted. A guilty finding or a dismissal both appear in the official record. Appeals from the Municipal Court to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas are also tracked in the UJS portal.

For cases where the driver did not respond within 10 days of receiving the citation, a late fee of $25.00 is added to the record. This late fee is not waivable in most cases. Refunds for verdicts of not guilty are processed within 4 to 6 weeks. These financial details are part of the official Philadelphia County traffic ticket record and show in case searches.

Pennsylvania Traffic Laws and Violations in Philadelphia County

All traffic violations in Philadelphia County are governed by Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, known as the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. The code applies uniformly across the state but enforcement in Philadelphia County reflects the high density and volume of vehicle traffic in an urban environment.

Common violations handled by the Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division include speeding, running stop signs, driving without a valid license, operating without registration, and driving without insurance. Each of these carries a specific fine and, for moving violations, a set number of points under the PennDOT point system. Speeding 6 to 10 miles per hour over the limit, for example, adds 2 points. Reckless driving carries 4 points and a mandatory 6-month suspension.

Philadelphia County drivers who accumulate 6 or more points on their driving record face a special examination required by PennDOT Driver Services. Drivers who reach 11 or more points face a suspension of at least 5 days per point above 10. High point totals are a serious consequence of repeated traffic violations in Philadelphia County. Drivers can reduce their point total by 3 points once every 3 years by completing a state-approved driving improvement course.

Note: Philadelphia County's dense street grid, bus lanes, and bike lanes create enforcement situations not common in rural counties. Drivers should pay attention to posted signs, which may differ from standard state highway rules.

Paying or Contesting a Philadelphia County Traffic Citation

When you receive a traffic citation in Philadelphia County, you have 10 days from the date on the ticket to respond. This deadline is strict. Missing it adds a $25.00 late fee to your account.

You can pay online through the Philadelphia Courts ePay system at courts.phila.gov. Payment is also accepted in person at 800 Spring Garden Street during business hours. Paying a fine is treated as an admission of the violation. Points will be assessed on your PennDOT record for any moving violations you pay without contesting. Payment plans are available for drivers who cannot pay the full amount at once. Contact the Traffic Division at 215-686-1676 or tcsupport@courts.phila.gov to ask about a payment plan.

To contest a citation in Philadelphia County, you must request a hearing before the Traffic Division. At the hearing, the citing officer presents the state's case. You present your evidence and argument. The judge decides the outcome. If you are found not guilty, any fine already paid will be refunded within 4 to 6 weeks. If you lose at the Municipal Court level, you may appeal to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas within 30 days of the decision.

Philadelphia County Government and Court Resources

The city of Philadelphia operates the only county-level government in Pennsylvania that is fully consolidated with a municipality. This means that most county services, including court administration, are managed through city government structures. The Philadelphia government website links to all court services, the Parking Authority, the Department of Records, and other offices relevant to traffic violations and related public records.

PennDOT Driving Records and Philadelphia Traffic Violations

PennDOT maintains a driving record for every licensed driver in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia County traffic convictions are reported by the Municipal Court to PennDOT after a case is resolved. The conviction and any points are added to the driver's official record. Insurance companies frequently review driving records when setting rates, and multiple traffic convictions from Philadelphia County can affect what you pay for coverage.

You can request your own driving record by submitting Form DL-503 to PennDOT. The standard fee is $5.00 for a non-certified record and $10.00 for a certified copy. Mail the form and payment to PennDOT Bureau of Driver Licensing, P.O. Box 69003, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9003. Online requests are also available through the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services portal. Philadelphia County drivers who have had multiple citations may want to review their record before responding to a new ticket to understand the point impact.

The Philadelphia Municipal Court's criminal, civil, and traffic divisions collectively handle one of the highest caseloads in Pennsylvania. Understanding how traffic records flow through this system helps drivers in Philadelphia County manage their citations and protect their driving privileges.

Cities in Philadelphia County

Philadelphia County is a consolidated city-county. All traffic citations issued in the county are handled by the Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division.

Nearby Counties

Philadelphia County borders four other Pennsylvania counties, each with its own traffic court records accessible through the UJS portal.

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