What are Magisterial District Courts
in Pennsylvania?
While driving around any of Pennsylvania’s Cities, Townships or Boroughs, you may have passed a sign such as this:
What is a Magisterial District Court in Pennsylvania? You may see these signs in front of small buildings along a road, in office parks, in municipal buildings, and shopping malls. The Magisterial District Courts are part of the minor court system, along with Philadelphia’s and Pittsburgh’s Municipal Courts, that represent the first level of Pennsylvania’s judicial system.
The Magisterial Court System is established and defined in Pennsylvania Statute 42 Pa.C.S. Chapter 15.
The location, jurisdiction, and number designation of Magisterial District Courts in Pennsylvania are determined according to the county level first, then the city, borough, or township level. Areas served by Magisterial District Courts, and the number of courts in a county, city, township, or borough, are determined by population.
Pennsylvania has 67 counties, 2,560 municipalities (cities, townships, and boroughs), and 546 Magisterial District Courts. The numbers assigned to each Magisterial District Court represent the county, magisterial district, and specific number designation of the court.
Paul S. Peters III, Esquire, is a trusted, knowledgeable, experienced, and aggressive legal advocate in both civil and criminal matters before the Pennsylvania Magisterial District Courts. If you are facing a criminal, traffic, landlord-tenant, or civil lawsuit before a Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court, call Paul S. Peters III, Esq. at 215-291-2944 for a FREE CONSULTATION
Cases Heard by Magisterial District Courts in Pennsylvania
Magisterial District Courts in Pennsylvania hear select court cases within Pennsylvania. Their purpose is to handle low-level legal matters within small areas to provide quick and easy access to justice and act as gatekeepers for the major county court, The Court of Common Pleas. In most Magisterial District Courts, the Judge, Attorneys, Police Officers, Municipal Officers (code enforcement, manager), residents, and business owners, are familiar with each other. This familiarity can be positive but also negative. It allows for more accessible resolutions of cases, police officers, and judges understanding the nature of the community and circumstances surrounding a specific resident or business. However, this familiarity can lead to favoritism, pre-disposed judgments before even hearing a case, and a hostile environment for outside parties and attorneys.
- The Magisterial District Courts in Pennsylvania handle the following matters:
- Summary Criminal Matters (disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, etc.)
- Arraignments, Setting and Accepting Bail, and Preliminary Hearings for Misdemeanor and Felony Offenses
- Issuing Warrants
- Landlord-Tenant Disputes
- Civil Disputes involving less than $12,000.00 in damages
- Traffic Offenses
- Local Code Enforcement and Ordinances
All decisions by a Magisterial District Court in Pennsylvania are appealable to the County Court of Common Pleas. Most decisions by a District Court do not become final until 30 days after the decision, as that is the time frame in which most decisions are appealable; landlord-tenant actions provide a shorter appeal window. If appealed, the case begins as if brand new and the result at the District Court level is irrelevant.
Paul S. Peters III, Esquire, is a trusted, knowledgeable, experienced, and aggressive legal advocate in both civil and criminal matters before the Pennsylvania Magisterial District Courts. If you are facing a criminal, traffic, landlord-tenant, or civil lawsuit before a Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court, call Paul S. Peters III, Esq. at 215-291-2944 for a FREE CONSULTATION
Magisterial District Judges in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, each Magisterial District Court has one Magisterial Judge. Magisterial Judges are elected officials that serve a term of 6-years after which they can run for the position again.
The qualifications to run for the position of Magisterial Judge are:
- 21 years of age or older
- Resident of Pennsylvania
- Resident of the Magisterial District for at least one year before election
- Licensed Attorney or certification of successful completion of the Minor Judiciary’s Education Program
Magisterial Judges in Pennsylvania are required to complete 32 hours of continuing education each year.
Effective January 1, 2020, the yearly salary for a Magisterial Judge in Pennsylvania is $93,338.00.
Other Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court Facts
- They do not hold jury trials
- They are not courts of record (no assigned court reporter)
- They do not hear cases categorized as Domestic/Family Law (divorce, custody, support)
- Judges, if an attorney, can practice law with restrictions
- Judges have no formal education requirements such as undergraduate or advanced degrees
In the Pennsylvania Magisterial District Courts, many individuals try to represent themselves. While this may be a good and economical choice for certain situations, it is often worthwhile to consult a lawyer experienced in appearing before Magisterial District Courts. The attorney is going to be an advocate on your behalf and will do so with respect, clarity, and knowledge. You may be feeling emotional about the matter, sadness, anger, frustration, or fear, which will impair your ability to represent yourself effectively and calmly. There may be consequences regarding a traffic violation or other citation you received that you are unaware of and will cause you significant inconvenience, such as a driver’s license suspension. A lawyer can also provide advice and guidance regarding the strengths and weaknesses of your case or defense. While you may not wish to invest in a lawyer or are unable to, it is at least worth a phone call to make an informed decision on the need for legal counsel; most lawyers offer a free consultation ranging from 30 – 60 minutes.
Paul S. Peters III, Esquire, is a trusted, knowledgeable, experienced, and aggressive legal advocate in both civil and criminal matters before the Pennsylvania Magisterial District Courts. If you are facing a criminal, traffic, landlord-tenant, or civil lawsuit before a Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court, call Paul S. Peters III, Esq. at 215-291-2944 for a FREE CONSULTATION!
YOU BETTER CALL PAUL!
215-291-2944
ppeters@thepetersfirm.com
TRUSTED AND AGGRESSIVE PENNSYLVANIA
DISTRICT COURT ATTORNEY
If you have been issued summons in Pennsylvania in any of the following counties, contact the trusted and experienced Montgomery, Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, Chester, Lehigh, Lancaster, Northampton, Berks, Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntington, Juniata, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, York Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming County Pennsylvania District Court Attorney:
Paul S. Peters III, Esquire at:
215-291-2944
ppeters@thepetersfirm.com
