Chester County Magisterial Courts

When you are arrested in Chester County, Pennsylvania, your case is first assigned to a lower court called a Magisterial Court/Judge.  Chester County, Pennsylvania has 17 MDJ Courts.

The Magisterial District Courts in Chester County, Pennsylvania are responsible for deciding all traffic and non-traffic citations (disorderly conduct, harassment, underage drinking, nuisance). Chester County Magisterial District Courts handle Bail, Arraignments, and Preliminary hearings for criminal cases, landlord/tenant disputes, and civil cases with damage claims up to $12,000.  All decisions of Magisterial Courts in Chester County, PA may be appealed to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.

It may be tempting to plead guilty to a summary or traffic offense so you can put the whole experience behind you. You may believe you can handle your court case yourself. However, the outcome of your case will be critically important to your future.

Not only can you land in jail, which will disrupt your life and can even cost you your job, but you may also be burdened with a criminal record that will have far-reaching implications for you.  If you do not understand the full extent of certain traffic violations, you may unexpectedly end up with a suspended driver’s license.  Lastly, you may be burdened with overwhelming fines and court fees. It is important to retain an experienced criminal defense and traffic attorney who can defend you against a summary or traffic offense. A lawyer who knows his way around a Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court will give you sound advice and, depending on the circumstances, get the charges or ticket lessened or even dismissed.

If you have a case listed in a Chester County Magisterial Court, you may view your case’s docket here.

CLICK HERE to learn more about MDJs

The 17 MDJ courts are located in the following areas of Chester County, Pennsylvania:

• Coatesville
  • Judge Gregory Hines MDJ 15-1-03, City of Coatesville  and the Borough of South Coatesville
  • Judge Grover E. Koon MDJ 15-1-05, City of Coatesville and Valley Township
• Downingtown
  • Judge Jeffrey Valocchi MDJ 15-4-02, Caln Township, East Caln Township, East Brandywine Borough, and Downingtown Borough
• Exton
  • Judge Lori Donatelli MDJ 15-2-07, West Pikeland Township, Upper Ulwchlan Township, and Ulwchlan Township
  • Judge John R. Bailey MDJ 15-4-03, East Whiteland Township and West Whiteland Township
• Honey Brook
  • Judge Michael J. Cabry MDJ 15-3-06, Elverson Borough, Honey Brook Borough, West Brandywine Township, Honey Brook Township, Sadsbury Township, West Caln Township, Wallace Township, and West Nantmeal Township
• Kennett Square
  • Judge Albert Iacocca MDJ 15-3-04, Kennett Square Borough, Kennett Township, East Marlborough Township, Newlin Township, Pocopson Township, Birmingham Township, and Pennsbury Township
  • Judge Matthew Seavey MDJ 15-4-04, West Grove Borough, Avondale Borough, West Marlborough Township, London Britain Township, Franklin Township, London Grove Township, and New Garden Township
• Oxford
  • Judge Scott A. Massey MDJ 15-3-05, Oxford Borough, Penn Township, Elk Township, East Nottingham Township, West Nottingham Township, Upper Oxford Township, Lower Oxford Township, and New London Township
• Parkesburg
  • Judge Nancy A. Gill MDJ 15-3-07, Atglen Borough, Modena Borough, Parkesburg Borough, Londonderry Township, East Fallowfield Township, West Fallowfield Township, Highland Township, and West Sadsbury Township
• Phoenixville
  • Judge James C. Kovaleski MDJ 15-2-01, Phoenixville Borough, Charlestown Township, East Pikeland Township, and Schuylkill Township
• Pottstown
  • Judge John Hipple MDJ 15-3-01, Spring City Borough, North Coventry Township, South Coventry Township, East Pikeland Township, East Coventry Township, Warwick Township, East Nantmeal Township, East Vincent Township, and West Vincent Township
• Wayne
• West Chester
  • Judge Thomas Tartaglio MDJ 15-1-02, Malvern Borough, East Goshen Township, Willistown Township, Easttown Township, and Tredyffrin Township
  • Judge Marian T. Vito MDJ 15-1-04, the West Chester Borough, and West Chester University
  • Judge Martin G. Goch MDJ 15-2-03, West Goshen Township, Westtown Township, and Thornbury Township

Paul S. Peters III, Esquire has represented clients in cases at every level of Chester County’s criminal justice system including all 17 Chester County, Pennsylvania Magisterial Courts.  Paul S. Peters III, Esquire thoroughly understands how each court works. No matter which court your case appears in, Paul S. Peters III, Esquire will provide you with aggressive, experienced, and skilled defense.