If you have been summoned or notified to appear in a Pennsylvania district court, it is important to understand how the process works so that you can be prepared when you go in for your court date. In Pennsylvania, there are numerous district courts throughout the state and in each county, with each district court representing certain townships or boroughs, or specific wards within them. Read your notice or summons carefully to understand in which district court you are expected to appear.
Your attorney is also available to assist you in understanding what the charges are against you, what your proceeding in district court will be, and how to best defend yourself against a harsh penalty or sentence if you are convicted. To make sure you have plenty of time to prepare, give our offices a call as soon as you receive your notice or summons.
District courts in Pennsylvania, including in Delaware County, handle only certain kinds of cases, although they are the most common kinds of cases handled in Pennsylvania courts. These cases involve summary criminal offenses, traffic offenses, landlord tenant disputes, municipal code violations, and small civil claims. After you have been arrested or received a citation for one of these charges, and you get your notice or summons to appear in district court, contact our offices right away to begin preparing with your attorney.
Broomall District Court
In Broomall, the district court that represents the local townships is District Court 32-1-24. The court is located at 796 Parkway Boulevard in Broomall, and it serves Ward 9 of Haverford Township, as well as Wards 1, 3, and 4 of Marple Township. This court is presided over by the Honorable Judge Robert M. D’Agostino, Esquire. To contact the court, you can call 610-338-2250 or send a fax to 610-338-2253.
The kinds of cases you will be summoned to district court for are most commonly traffic violations and summary criminal offenses. Traffic violations usually include driving with a suspended license, failing to yield, running stop signs or red lights, and speeding. Summary criminal offenses usually include shoplifting, loitering, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, harassment, or underage drinking. Some DUI cases are also handled in district court, depending on the severity.
Contacting An Experienced Lawyer
Once you have been charged with one of these offenses and have been summoned to appear in district court, call our offices as soon as possible. That way, you and your attorney will have time before your arraignment, hearing, or non-jury trial to work on preparing the best defense possible to present to Judge D’Agostino. In fact, a well prepared defense is your best chance at ensuring that the judge will consider your case carefully and reduce your sentence or penalty, or even dismiss your case altogether.
Our attorneys have spent years handling cases like yours in district courts through Delaware County and Pennsylvania. We will provide you with the best legal representation available, keep you informed every step of the way, and work carefully with you to ensure that you feel confident going in to your district court proceeding. Don’t let one of these minor charges cost you expensive fines and weeks or months in jail. Call our offices today.