Have you been arrested, or received a citation for, a summary criminal offense or a traffic violation in Delaware County? If you have, the likely next step is to attend a hearing in your local district court. There are thirty two district courts in Delaware County, each one serving a certain number of wards or in some cases entire boroughs and townships. Your notice or summons should tell you what district court you are expected to appear in.
But you do not have to face your court hearing alone. Our experienced attorneys have worked with individuals on their cases in several different district courts, including those in Delaware County. These courts hear very specific kinds of cases: traffic offenses, summary criminal offenses, landlord tenant disputes, small civil cases under $12,000, and municipal code violations. If you are facing any of these offenses, contact our offices right away to get in touch with an attorney. We will ensure that you feel prepared and confident going into your court date.
Folsom District Court
Folsom, Pennsylvania is home to District Court 32-1-30. The court is located in the Ridley Township Municipal Building, on 100 MacDade Boulevard in Folsom. This court serves Wards 1 and 5 of Nether Township, as well as Wards 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 of Ridley Township. To contact the court with questions, call 610-532-0320 or send a fax to 610-532-0953.
District Court 32-1-30 is presided over by the Honorable Judge Vincent D. Gallagher, Jr. It is Judge Gallagher’s job to preside over the traffic and preliminary criminal hearings, arraignments, and non-jury trials that are handled in district court, and so he will be the one who determines whether or not to convict you of the charges against you as well as what penalty or sentence you will face if you are convicted.
The most common kinds of cases that Judge Gallagher presides over are summary criminal offenses and traffic offenses. Summary criminal offenses that are often heard in district court include criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, underage drinking, loitering, harassment, and shoplifting. Traffic offenses that are often handled in district court are driving with a suspended license, running stop signs or red lights, speeding, failure to yield, and some cases of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These offenses may seem relatively unimportant, but these offenses come with surprisingly high penalties. You could be facing up to $300 in fines, and you may even land in jail for up to 90 days for your first offense or 180 days if you are a repeat offender.
To make sure that you and your family do not have to bear the heavy burden of these penalties, you should get in touch with one of our attorneys as soon as you receive notice of your court date. Your attorney will work with you carefully to understand the process, because our lawyers have years of experience assisting with district court cases in Delaware County. Your attorney will also help you develop a defense that will help convince Judge Gallagher to reduce the penalty or sentence you will have to face, or even to simply dismiss your case.