Schuylkill County Courthouse

Introduction:

Schuylkill County Court is a city serving the residents of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The appeal from the middle district goes to the 3rd circuit in the United States Court of Appeals. The first courthouse was built in 1816 with a two-story brick structure, and in 1827 a separate building was established and further advancements were made. The latest building was built in 1987 with a juvenile detention center. It has jurisdiction over criminal, juvenile civil, traffic, and vehicle matters. Weapons are prohibited in this court. The court rules and procedures must be followed by every person that visits the court. Proper dressing is mandatory when you visit the court hearing. The parking is available directly behind the courthouse.

Architectural Grandeur: A Visual Tour

Victorian Era Influences: Timeless Elegance

The courthouse’s architectural style reflects the Victorian era’s opulence, with ornate facades, intricate carvings, and a majestic dome that draws the eye skyward.

Preservation Efforts: Honoring History

Preservation initiatives have ensured that the courthouse retains its original charm. Efforts to maintain its grandeur offer visitors a window into the past while celebrating the present.

Evolution of County Governance

Past vs. Present: Changes and Adaptations

Examining the changes in county governance over time showcases the courthouse’s adaptive nature, staying relevant in an ever-changing world.

Community Involvement: Shaping the Future

The courthouse isn’t just a historic artifact—it’s a living entity shaped by community involvement. Collaborations between citizens and authorities define its trajectory.

Clerk of Courts: Behind the Scenes

Facilitating Legal Proceedings: A Crucial Role

The Clerk of Courts office isn’t merely administrative; it’s a vital cog in the legal machinery, ensuring that legal proceedings are documented, organized, and accessible.

Accessibility and Efficiency: Enhancing User Experience

Modernization efforts have streamlined services, offering visitors and legal professionals an efficient and user-friendly experience

The Schuylkill County Courthouse is located in the heart of Pottsville, Pennsylvania and serves as an important center of government and legal affairs in the county. With its imposing architecture and prominent location, the courthouse has long been a landmark in the community. The courthouse has a rich history dating back to the 19th century and has undergone renovations and expansions over the years to accommodate the county’s growth and needs.

The original courthouse for Schuylkill County was constructed in the early 1800s. As Pottsville emerged as the population center of the county, a larger and more substantial courthouse was commissioned on the same site in downtown Pottsville. The current courthouse building was completed in 1883 in the Second Empire architectural style.

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Architecture and Design

The exterior of the Schuylkill County Courthouse is an excellent example of Second Empire architecture, which was popular in the late 19th century. The most prominent feature is the mansard roof with ornamental iron cresting. The roofline features dormer windows protruding from the steeply sloped sections. The front facade is symmetrically designed with a central pavilion and two wings. The limestone construction gives the courthouse a formal and stately appearance befitting a seat of government.

The interior of the courthouse contains ornate details in the public spaces and corridors. The layout includes two main courtrooms along with various county government offices. The original interior featured a rotunda and granite staircase although much of the interior was rebuilt during an early 20th century renovation.

Renovations and Expansions

In the early 1900s, a major renovation project was undertaken at the Schuylkill County Courthouse to update the facilities. While the Second Empire exterior remained largely intact, the interior was rebuilt to accommodate new electrical, plumbing, and safety systems. Additional office space was also constructed to meet the county’s needs.

Over the next century, various renovation projects and additions were completed. In the 1950s, a large east wing was added to provide expanded county offices and a third courtroom. In the following decades, modern upgrades were made including the addition of elevators and new mechanical systems. The original courtrooms were refurbished to restore their historic character. The ongoing renovations have maintained the courthouse as a functioning center of government for the county.

Historic Significance

The Schuylkill County Courthouse holds significance as an important center of government affairs and legal proceedings in the county. The courthouse houses the courtrooms where criminal and civil cases are heard. All county government business is conducted in the various offices contained within the courthouse.

The courthouse is also architecturally significant as a highly intact example of Second Empire style. The ornate interior spaces display a craftsmanship not often seen in contemporary public buildings. As a historic government building serving the public for over a century, the Schuylkill County Courthouse is considered a valued community landmark.

County Offices and Departments

The Schuylkill County Courthouse contains both court offices and other county government departments. There are currently two main courtrooms along with several hearing rooms and judicial chambers. The offices of the District Attorney, Public Defender, Sheriff, Clerk of Courts, Coroner, and other court-related departments are housed in the courthouse.

In addition, there are offices for various Schuylkill County government departments including the Treasurer, Controller, Recorder of Deeds, Commissioners, and Tax Assessment. The county facilities management and IT departments are also located in the building. The expansive courthouse allows all of these government functions to be centrally located in downtown Pottsville.

Visiting the Courthouse

The Schuylkill County Courthouse is located in the center of downtown Pottsville at 401 North 2nd Street. There is metered street parking along nearby streets and public parking lots and garages within a few blocks of the courthouse. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Upon entering the courthouse, visitors must pass through a security checkpoint where bags are scanned and a metal detector is used. The courtrooms on the main and second floors are open to the public when court is in session. Various county offices on the upper floors can also be accessed by the public during regular business hours.

Guided tours of the historic courthouse can be scheduled through the Schuylkill County Historical Society to view the ornate courtrooms and corridors. The courthouse also hosts special community events throughout the year.

How to search for case records?

Schuylkill County Court case search for records can be found online using https://pennsylvania.staterecords.org/schuylkill. The court maintains all the records online, in files, or in a database. The case search can be done using the first, and last name of the city. After entering the data, the case information will come. This website will only show those records information that is publicly available. The sealed records are not available for the viewing of the public. Some records are unavailable; if the information does not come, the case records will be removed or confidential and cannot be displayed online. You have to go to the court for these types of records and submit a request, the court will then approve whether to give you the information or not. You had to pay the mandatory fees for each per-page copy of the record if you need the records certified copies.

How to make a payment?

Schuylkill County Court payments can be made in the following ways:

In-Person

A person can pay for tickets and fines by visiting the court during regular court hours and paying in cash, checks, or with a card at the court payment window. Take your ticket and citation number with you when you come for payment. Service charges will be applied if you make a payment with a credit card. 

Online

Online payments can be made using the court Online Payment Portal http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/.Type the case number, traffic or citation number. Your case information with the amount of the fine will be displayed. Select the payment option and pay the amount online. Processing fees will be applied in this method.

Mail

A Person can send a certified check or money order to the court’s mailing address; Central Collections Bureau c/o Clerk of Courts Office 401 N. Second Street Pottsville, PA 17901. Cash or personal checks are not acceptable in the mail; only certified checks or money orders are accepted. Remember to write your citation, name, case number, and account number when you send the payment, and mail the amount in a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want a receipt.

What is the responsibility of the adult probation department?

Schuylkill County Courthouse’s adult probation department’s responsibility is to provide supervision to offenders who are sentenced to Probation or are placed on the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program (ARD). The main goal is to protect society economically. They provide many programs like driving under the influence, domestic violence programs, retail theft remediation programs, testing of drugs, general supervision and many more.

How can a divorce case be filled?

Schuylkill County Courthouse divorce cases can be filled out online using  www.pacourts.u or you can visit the clerk’s office and file the case there. The fees for a divorce complaint are $127 and if custody involves then $333.50. After filing you had to submit some documents of your and your spouse. After the documents will be verified a case hearing for divorce will be held and both parties had to be present at that time.

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How can a custody case be filled?

Schuylkill County Courthouse custody department is responsible for providing the filling and procedural information, custody orders, history form and kids first. The custody case can be filled online using  www.pacourts.u or you can visit the clerk’s office and file the case there. The fees for custody complaints with stipulation are $123, with the conference is $237 and the petition for modification of custody is $188. You had to submit the original documents with some copies for these types of cases. When the case hearing is held both parents with the children had to be present in that court.

What are the fees for prothonotary cases?

Schuylkill County Courthouse prothonotary cases fees schedule depends upon the types of matters and cases. $42 for the arbitrators’ award appeal form, $106 for the board of viewer appeal form, $79 for the District Justice appeal form, $106 for the notice of superior court form, $244 for the complaint with conference custody, $100 for the petition for contempt custody and many more.

What is the responsibility of the court clerk?

Schuylkill County Courthouse clerk is responsible for managing and safeguarding all the records, collecting and distributing all the payments, resolving payment issues, helping judges in the cases, making a schedule for the case, solving queries of the people that visit the court and providing certificates and documents. The clerk is prohibited from giving legal advice but they can help you with the procedure, give directions, and give you information about the attorney or agency that can guide you legally.

How can a marriage license be obtained?

Schuylkill County Courthouse license can be obtained from the court clerk’s office. You had to submit a marriage license form with the photo ID, and birth certificate and if this is anyone’s second marriage then a divorce or death certificate document of the previous spouse had to be submitted when applying for the certificate. The couple had to be presented when applying for the license. After you get a license, you can apply for a wedding ceremony.

How can kid’s first program registration be done?

Schuylkill County Courthouse’s first program registration will be done by filling out the form available online and mailing it to the court. Fill out your name, city, state, zip, email, phone number and docket number. Send a money order or paycheck with this form. This kid-first program is compulsory in custody cases for the parents, it is a three-hour educational program. After you complete this program, a certificate will be awarded to you and you have to present this certificate during the custody hearing.

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