Monroe County
Created from parts of Northampton and Pike Counties in 1836, Monroe County lies in northeastern Pennsylvania. It has a population of 166,053 and is named for James Monroe, America's fifth president. Stroudsburg is its county seat, while its largest municipality is Rochester.
Monroe County's trial court structure includes a Court of Common Pleas and magisterial district courts. The Court of Common Pleas, which comprises a Civil Division, a Criminal Division, and an Orphans' Court Division, is a general jurisdiction court. It handles all civil and criminal cases, including felonies, lesser offenses, and civil claims without financial caps. It also hears domestic relations cases, adoptions, juvenile suits, certain arbitration reviews, and administrative agency appeals. The Orphans' Court, a Common Pleas Court division, oversees probate matters, including wills, trusts, estate administrations, guardianships, adoptions, and parental rights termination cases.
Magisterial District judges in Monroe County preside over cases that include DUIs, summary offenses, third-degree misdemeanors, certain ordinance violations, and preliminary felony hearings. They also adjudicate civil cases involving claims with specified financial limits and some landlord-tenant disputes. Monroe County Magisterial District Courts, however, lack jurisdiction over civil cases involving the State.
Monroe County Court records contain legal information about court cases in the county. Case transcripts, minutes of proceedings, writs, petitions, notices, and judgments/decrees are typical legal information contained in these court records. Court records in Monroe County generally include the following examples:
- Civil records
- Criminal records
- Family court records
- Probate records
The Monroe County Clerk of Courts/Prothonotary manages criminal and civil court records for the Common Pleas Court and the magisterial district courts. Record seekers can search for court records online using the Pennsylvania Judiciary web portal. Also, they can visit the Office of the Clerk of Courts of the Common Pleas Court/Prothonotary in person to purchase record copies at:
610 Monroe Street
Suite 323
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Phone: (570) 517-3370
