The Third Judicial District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania includes the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County, and fifteen Magisterial District Justice Courts located in Northampton County. These courts are part of the judicial branch of government of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This annual report provides information about the work of the Third Judicial District, the status of its dockets, and those who serve in the judicial branch.

The Constitution of Pennsylvania establishes the Common Pleas Court as the trial court of general jurisdiction in this Commonwealth. It is at the common pleas level that criminal prosecutions are brought ranging from homicides to misdemeanors. Money damage actions are tried here as well. All matters relating to the family-divorce, custody, and support-are presented here. The juvenile court division hears cases involving those under the age of eighteen who are charged with criminal acts or who are alleged to be dependent children. Estate matters, adoptions, property disputes, and equity issues are all heard at the common pleas level. The rights of individuals in these significant matters are adjudicated in this court in thousands of matters annually. Juries are impaneled to decide cases involving life, liberty, and property.

In the Magisterial District Justice Courts of the Third Judicial District, 73,049 cases were heard last year. Magisterial District Justices conduct preliminary hearings in criminal matters, decide summary criminal cases, hear emergency protection from abuse applications, issue search and arrest warrants, set bail, and decide civil claims within the limited jurisdiction of the Magisterial District Justice Courts.

The Constitution establishes the Judiciary as an independent branch of government, charged with deciding controversies according to law. The Third Judicial District, each year, hears thousands of matters affording litigants due process and equal protection of the law. The Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County are proud of the quantity and quality of work accomplished in the Third Judicial District. Thank you for taking the time to study this website to learn how the court fulfills its constitutional responsibility.