If this is the first time that you have been notified or summoned to appear in your local Pennsylvania district court, do not panic -- our attorneys can help you prepare for your hearing and fully understand the process prior to your court date.
Pennsylvania district courts are designed to be the first courts to hear certain kinds of offenses. These can include traffic violations, summary criminal offenses, municipal code violations, landlord tenant disputes, and small claims of under $12,000. If you have received a citation for a traffic offense or a summary offense, or if you have been arrested for a summary criminal offense, then you will likely be expected to appear in your local district court.
District courts serve specific voting districts within boroughs and townships. Often, counties will have several district courts, and the district court that you must report to will depend on what voting district you live in. The information provided to you in your citation and/or your notice or summons should tell you what district court you have been scheduled to appear in.
Collegeville District Court
The district court that serves the Collegeville, Pennsylvania area is District Court 38-1-20, one of the district courts located in Montgomery County. District Court 38-1-20 is located at 133 Level Road in Collegeville, and it is presided over by the Honorable Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar. To contact the court, you can call them at 610-409-2515 or you can fax them at 610-409-2517. District Court 38-1-20 covers the following areas: Collegeville Borough, Trappe Borough, Lower Providence Township, and Upper Providence Township (specifically, voting district Oaks).
In Judge Rebar’s courtroom, summary criminal offense cases can include harassment, underage drinking, disorderly conduct, shoplifting or petty theft, DUIs or DWIs, or loitering. Traffic offenses are also heard in district court, which can include speeding, running stop signs or traffic lights, failure to yield, or driving with a suspended license.
These offenses may seem minor, because they are not considered serious criminal offenses. However, they should not be taken lightly, because the sentences and penalties that can be imposed after a conviction for these offenses can be awfully steep. A summary criminal offense, for example, can you get as much as a $300 fine and up to 90 days in jail (or even up 180 days in jail if you are a repeat offender). These penalties can pose quite a heavy burden on you and your family.
Your best course of action is to work with one of our experienced attorneys to develop a solid and powerful defense to present to Judge Rebar. A well prepared and confidently presented defense can convince the judge to lessen your sentence or penalty, or even to dismiss your charges completely.
As soon as you receive your citation or your summons to district court, call our offices and begin preparing with an experienced Pennsylvania district court lawyer. This will allow you to have plenty of time to work with your attorney to prepare prior to your court date. We have handled hundreds of cases like yours throughout Montgomery County, and we will zealously represent you at your court hearing in Collegeville District Court.