The Pennsylvania district court system is where you will be expected to appear if you have been arrested for a summary criminal offense or have received a citation for a traffic violation in Pennsylvania. District courts handle these types of cases, as well as municipal code violations, small civil claims under $12,000, and landlord tenant disputes.

In district courts, which are also sometimes called magisterial courts in Pennsylvania, you will be summoned to appear for an arraignment, a preliminary criminal hearing, a traffic hearing, or even a non-jury trial for some cases. These hearings should be taken very seriously, because you could be convicted and receive a harsh sentence if the district judge finds you guilty.

To make sure you have enough time to prepare before your court date, contact your experienced attorney as soon as you have been assigned your court date. Our lawyers, who have handled numerous cases in district courts across the state, are ready and able to help you with your district court proceeding so that you feel confident and prepared going in.

Folcroft District Court

District Court 32-2-41 is located in Folcroft, in Delaware County. The address of the court is 1555 Elmwood Avenue in Folcroft, and the court serves Folcroft as well as Tinicum Township. If you have questions about your proceeding, call the court at 610-583-6645, or send a fax to 610-583-6316. There is currently a vacancy for the position of district judge in this particular district court.

The most common kinds of cases that are handled in district courts in Pennsylvania are the summary criminal offenses, as well as traffic violations. The common summary criminal offenses are underage drinking, shoplifting, harassment, disorderly conduct, loitering, and other forms of criminal mischief. The traffic violations most commonly handled are certain cases of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, running a stop sign or a red light, failure to yield, speeding, and driving with a suspended license.

Unfortunately, these minor offenses can, under Pennsylvania law, result in harsh penalties or sentences if you are ultimately convicted in your district court proceeding of the charges against you. You and your family may not be able to face a fine that is several hundred dollars, or afford to have you spend 90 days behind bars for a first offense or up to 180 days if this is not your first conviction.

Your experienced district court attorney is therefore in the best position to help you. Our experience handling these kinds of cases in Delaware County district courts will mean we can help you develop a very strong defense. This can be the difference between you facing the full extent of the penalty of the charge, or having your penalty or sentence reduced or even having your case dismissed altogether. This is why it is important to take your proceeding seriously.

Be sure you do not wait to get in touch with your lawyer, because the longer you wait, the less time you may have before your court date to prepare. Don’t let a simple traffic or minor criminal offense put you behind bars and cost you hundreds of dollars. Call our offices today and speak to an attorney.