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Magisterial District Courts
Northampton County Magisterial District Courts
The Magisterial District Judges are part of a unified judicial system governed by the rules and regulations promulgated by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. President Judge Robert A. Freedberg exercises general supervision and administrative control over the District Judges. Debra C. French, Deputy Court Administrator, oversees the operations of the District Courts. In 2006, District Court 03-2-08 and District Court 03-2-11 remained vacant. Senior Magisterial District Judge Frey, Jr. and Senior Magisterial District Judge Romig continued to serve in those districts. There are fifteen magisterial districts located throughout Northampton County. A District Judge who has been elected to a six-year term serves each district. District Judges are available 24 hours a day to serve the public with all District Judges serving night and weekend duty on a rotating basis. District Judges have jurisdiction over minor criminal offenses, traffic offenses, landlord/tenant matters and other civil actions where the amount claimed does not exceed $8000.00. In misdemeanor and felony cases, District Judges have jurisdiction to issue arrest and search warrants, hold preliminary arraignments and preliminary hearings and set bail. They also have authority to perform marriages, handle protection from abuse matters and issue subpoenas. They also may impose summary punishments for criminal contempt. In June 2006, a one-day personal safety training program was given to the magisterial district court staff. The project was aimed at improving the safety of all staff that works in the district courts, as well as the general public who may have access to the courts. It focused on three critical areas: Protecting People, Property and Information. The training program was prepared and administered by Temple University’s Criminal Justice Training Programs staff in conjunction with the AOPC.
District Court Collections In an effort to generate more revenue for the county, a miscellaneous issuance fee was instituted pursuant to 42 PA. C.S.A., section 1725.1, beginning July 1, 2003. In 2006, the fee of $14.00 was assessed for each summary warrant that was issued. In 2006, the District Courts collected $182,889 as a result of this fee.
District Court Case Filings ![]()
This represents an increase of 294 case filings in 2006 as compared to 2005. There have been increases in all types of cases except civil. Of the 10,526 summary cases that were filed in the District Courts, only 321 of these cases were appealed to the Court of Common Pleas. Of the 4,370 civil cases filed in the District Courts, 195 cases were appealed. This represents a summary appeal rate of 3% and a civil appeal rate of 4%.
District Court Dispositions
As the above statistics indicate, the District Judges are moving the cases expeditiously through their courts. | |
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