Pennsylvania Courthouse Security Line Wait Times & Hours (2026)

Short answer: Arrive at least 20 to 35 minutes before your scheduled courtroom call. Monday and Tuesday mornings have the longest magnetometer lines due to new jury panels checking in simultaneously. Updated 2026-11-04

Morning security checkpoint wait times in Pennsylvania range from 10 to 25 minutes during peak 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM docket call. The longest typical queue is at Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall (~25 mins). Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas vary sharply by county: Philadelphia Stout Center and Dauphin/Lancaster/York enforce strict phone bans or mandatory Yondr pouches / lobby check-in for general visitors, while Allegheny (Pittsburgh) and Montgomery County allow silenced phones.

County CourthouseCitySecurity line wait timesPhone LockersJuror Parking
Philadelphia County
Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (25 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
Philadelphia ~25 mins peak (arrive 35 mins early) Yes (Free) $22/day
Allegheny County
Allegheny County Courthouse (Pittsburgh)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (18 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
Pittsburgh ~18 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
Montgomery County
Montgomery County Courthouse (Norristown)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (18 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
Norristown ~18 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
Bucks County
Bucks County Courthouse (Doylestown)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
Doylestown ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
Delaware County
Delaware County Courthouse (Media)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
Media ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
Chester County
Chester County Courthouse (West Chester)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
West Chester ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
Lancaster County
Lancaster County Courthouse (Lancaster)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
Lancaster ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
York County
York County Courthouse (York)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
York ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
Berks County
Berks County Courthouse (Reading)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
Reading ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
Lehigh County
Lehigh County Courthouse (Allentown)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
Allentown ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
Luzerne County
Luzerne County Courthouse (Wilkes-Barre)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
Wilkes-Barre ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
Northampton County
Northampton County Courthouse (Easton)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
Easton ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County Courthouse (Greensburg)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
Greensburg ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
Dauphin County
Dauphin County Courthouse (Harrisburg)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
Harrisburg ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
Cumberland County
Cumberland County Courthouse (Carlisle)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
Carlisle ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
Erie County
Erie County Courthouse (Erie)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
Erie ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) Yes (Free) Free Validated
Going to Court Without a Lawyer?

Skip the Security Line & Protect Your Record in PA

If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in PA, a licensed local attorney can often appear in court on your behalf—saving you from missing work, risking a bench warrant, or taking points on your license.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I arrive for an 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM court date in Pennsylvania?

Arrive at least 20 to 35 minutes before your scheduled courtroom call. Monday and Tuesday mornings have the longest magnetometer lines due to new jury panels checking in simultaneously.

How is this courthouse policy data verified?

We verify every county against official Court Administrative Orders (.gov), Jury Commissioner instructions, and Sheriff Court Security directives. Last verified 2026-11-04.

More Courthouse Rules in Pennsylvania

Security line wait times in Other States