Lehigh County Magisterial Courts

When you are arrested in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, your case is first assigned to a lower court called a Magisterial Court/Judge.  Lehigh County, Pennsylvania has 14 MDJ Courts.

The Magisterial District Courts in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania are responsible for deciding all traffic and non-traffic citations (disorderly conduct, harassment, underage drinking, nuisance). Lehigh 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 Lehigh County, PA may be appealed to the Lehigh 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 Lehigh County Magisterial Court, you may view your case’s docket here.

CLICK HERE to learn more about MDJs

The 14 MDJ courts are located in the following areas of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania:

• Allentown
  • Judge Patricia M. Engler MDJ 31-1-01, City of Allentown
  • Judge Rashid Santiago MDJ 31-1-02, City of Allentown
  • Judge Ronald S. Manescu MDJ 31-1-03, City of Allentown
  • Judge David M. Howells Jr., MDJ 31-01-04, City of Allentown
  • Judge Michael D’Amore MDJ 31-1-05, City of Allentown, Catasauqua Borough, and Hanover Township
  • Judge Michael J. Pochron MDJ 31-1-08, City of Allentown and Salisbury Township
  • Judge Karen C. Devine MDJ 31-2-01, City of Allentown
  • Judge Jacob E. Hammond MDJ 31-2-02, North Whitehall Township and South Whitehall Township
  • Judge Michael Faulkner MDJ 31-3-02, Alburtis Borough, Lower Macungie Township, and Upper Macungie Township
• Bethlehem
  • Judge Wayne Maura MDJ 31-1-06, City of Bethlehem and Fountain Hill Borough
• Coopersburg
  • Judge Daniel Trexler, MDJ 31-3-03, Coopersburg Borough, Lower Milford Township, Upper Milford Township, and Upper Saucon Township
• Emmaus
  • Judge Donna R. Butler MDJ 31-2-03, Emmaus Borough, Macungie Borough, and Lower Macungie Township
• Slatington
  • Judge Tom Creighton MDJ 31-3-01, Slatington Borough, Heidelberg Township, Lowhill Township, Lynn Township, Washington Township, and Weisenberg Township
• Whitehall
  • Judge Todd P. Heffelfinger MDJ 31-1-07, Coplay Borough and Whitehall Township

Paul S. Peters III, Esquire has represented clients in cases at every level of Lehigh County’s criminal justice system including all 14 Lehigh 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.