Pennsylvania Judgment: Types, Records, Duration, and What to Expect

A judgment is the last decision made by a court that establishes the rights and responsibilities of the parties and settles a dispute. In Pennsylvania, judgments are rendered in criminal restitution proceedings, family law issues, property disputes, civil litigation, and debt collection actions. Judgments are legally binding once they are recorded and can lead to bad credit reporting, wage garnishment, or liens.

What Is a Judgment in Pennsylvania?

According to the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, a judgment is an order filed in any court that requires the payment of money. Additionally, it could mandate that one party give up property or abstain from specific behaviors. Once entered, judgments have legal force behind them and can be enforced through levies, garnishments, and liens, among other remedies.

A money judgment demanding the payback of a loan or outstanding medical expenses, for example, could be obtained by a creditor. A family court ruling may impose spousal maintenance or child support responsibilities. In Pennsylvania, judgments of any kind are enforceable until they are satisfied or expire in accordance with state law.

Types of Judgments in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania courts issue several types of judgments depending on the case:

1. Final and Interlocutory Judgments

A court ruling that settles all claims and dismisses all parties from a lawsuit is known as a final judgment. It is the order from which an appeal is usually filed and marks the conclusion of the case at the trial level. An interlocutory judgment, on the other hand, is an order rendered during litigation that settles a preliminary or procedural matter but does not completely conclude the case.

2. Default Judgments

When a defendant does not reply to a legal complaint within the legally mandated time frame, typically 20 days, a default judgment is entered against them. The plaintiff's claims are deemed admitted by the defendant's inaction. A 10-day written notice of intent to seek a default judgment must be given by the plaintiff to the defendant before the prothonotary can enter it. The defendant now has one last opportunity to submit a rebuttal.

3. Judgments by Confession

A judgment by confession, sometimes referred to as a cognovit judgment, is a special and potent kind of judgment in which the debtor willingly consents to judgment against them beforehand, usually in the context of a promissory note or contract. A creditor may submit a request (praecipe) to confess judgment to the prothonotary (court clerk), and the judgment may be entered without the debtor being notified or a hearing being held. In essence, the debtor forfeits their right to a trial.

4. Declaratory Judgments

A court ruling that outlines and elucidates the rights and responsibilities of disputing parties is known as a declaratory judgment. It is employed to resolve legal ambiguities and stop further litigation. A court may announce a party's legal rights, position, or relationships in a decision. It can be used, for instance, to interpret a contract or assess if a statute is legitimate.

5. Criminal Restitution Judgments

A judgment rendered by a court in the US or another state is referred to as a foreign judgment. Pennsylvania offers a simple procedure for implementing these rulings. A judgment creditor may submit an authenticated copy of a foreign judgment to a Pennsylvania prothonotary. It has the same legal power and effect as a Pennsylvania judgment once it is filed.

How to Search for Judgments in Pennsylvania

Judgments are considered public records in Pennsylvania and can be accessed through several methods:

1. Prothonotary or Clerk of Court Offices – Judgment records are kept by each county prothonotary. Certified copies are available for a fee, and searches can be done in person.
2. Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal: You can get information about civil, criminal, and family cases, including judgments, online through the Pennsylvania Judicial Web Portal. You can search by attorney, case number, or name.
3. County Court Websites: Larger counties such as Philadelphia and Allegheny maintain their own searchable court records systems.
4. Third-Party Services – While official court sources are the most reliable, there are paid third-party services that compile judgment records across Pennsylvania. It is important to check that the platform you intend to use has updated information. These platforms have the advantage of giving you aggregated judgment records from all jurisdictions

Judgment records typically display:

• Case number
• Names of the parties
• Court location
• The date judgment was entered
• Amount owed or relief granted.

Judgment Records in Major Pennsylvania Counties

Pennsylvania’s larger counties maintain extensive records accessible both online and in person:

• Philadelphia County: The prothonotary's office and the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania's web portal both provide access to judgment records.
• Pittsburgh (Allegheny County): Both the statewide Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) portal and the Allegheny County Department of Court Records offer search capabilities for Allegheny County judgments.
• Harrisburg (Dauphin County): Both locally at the prothonotary's office and via the statewide site, Dauphin County judgment records are available.

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) portal provides statewide coverage, though certified copies must still be obtained from local clerks.

How Long Does a Judgment Last in Pennsylvania?

A civil judgment in Pennsylvania is enforceable and valid for five years following the date of entry. For a considerable amount of time, a judgment is still enforceable and legitimate. For a maximum of 20 years following the entry of the judgment, a creditor may issue an execution, which is a court order to confiscate the debtor's personal belongings. This is the time period during which a judgment against personal property can be enforced.

A judgment permits creditors to seek bank levies, garnishments, or liens while it is in effect. When judgments are unresolved, it can result in continuous property and financial limitations on debtors.

What Happens After a Judgment Is Entered in Pennsylvania?

Once a judgment is entered, creditors gain enforcement rights, while debtors face significant financial and legal consequences.

For Creditors:

• Wage Garnishment: A court order compelling employers to withhold a portion of a debtor's income until the judgment is met can be requested by creditors.
• Judgment Liens: Creditors may record liens against a debtor’s real estate, preventing its transfer or refinancing until repayment.
• Bank Levies: Creditors may take money straight out of a debtor's bank account with permission from the court.

For Debtors:

• Credit Reporting: Judgments often appear on credit reports, lowering scores and limiting access to credit or housing.
• Satisfaction of Judgment: The creditor must submit a Satisfaction of Judgment to the court after the debt is paid, absolving the debtor of responsibility..
• Appeals or Motions to Vacate: If a judgment was entered unfairly, for example, through a default without proper notice, the debtor may appeal or move to vacate it.