Call our offices right away if you have been arrested for a summary criminal offense, or received a citation for a traffic violation, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Our experienced lawyers can help you with your case and ensure that you receive the best legal representation available.
District courts, or magisterial courts, in Pennsylvania handle specific types of cases. These types of cases are summary criminal offenses, traffic violations, municipal code violations, landlord tenant disputes, and small civil claims for under $12,000. After your arrest or your citation is issued, you will be informed of a date on which you are assigned to appear in your local district court. Read this information carefully, because there are thirty two district courts in Delaware County, and some townships and boroughs are actually served by more than one district court.
Then, contact our offices right away, so that you have time before your court date to prepare with your attorney. Your lawyer will help you understand what the charges against you are, what type of proceeding you are being summoned for (an arraignment, preliminary criminal hearing, non-jury trial, or traffic hearing), and what your best defense will be.
Glenolden District Court
The district court in Glenolden is District Court 32-2-42. The court’s address is 36 East Boone Avenue in Glenolden, and it serves all of Glenolden Borough as well as Norwood. If you have questions, the contact information of the court is 610-583-6647 (telephone number) and 610-583-0386 (fax number). The court is presided over by the Honorable Judge Peter P. Tozer, Esquire.
The common traffic violations that are handled in district court include: driving with a suspended license, running a stop sign or a red light, speeding, failure to yield, or specific cases of DUI or DWI. The common summary criminal offenses, sometimes called minor offenses, include: underage drinking, harassment, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, criminal mischief, and loitering.
But no matter what charges you are facing, the penalties can be shockingly steep for charges that are commonly referred to as “minor.” A conviction in district court could cost you hundreds of dollars in fines, and up to 90 days in jail (or nearly twice that if you have been convicted before). Take your proceeding very seriously and call our offices as soon as you receive the notice for your court date, because this will give you ample time to prepare.
How to Prepare For Your Proceeding
First, carefully read the information that was given to you after your arrest or with your citation. This information should contain what the charges against you are and what district court you have been scheduled to appear in.
Then, give our offices a call. Our attorneys are available to speak with you right away and begin to work with you on your case before your court date arrives. An experienced lawyer will be able to develop a solid defense that can convince Judge Tozer to reduce the penalties or sentences you receive, or even to entirely dismiss your case so you will not face any penalties at all. Be proactive and take this first step towards making your district court proceeding much easier and more successful.