Northampton County Magisterial District Courts
3rd Judicial District

Magistrates Seated left to right: Diane S. Repyneck , Joan Marinkovits, Nancy Matos Gonzalez, Sandra J. Zemgulis, Gay L.Elwell Standing left to right: Elmo Frey, James F. Stocklas, Todd M. Strohe, Joseph Barner, Ralph W. Litzenberger, Esq., Michael J. Koury, Esq.

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
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has implemented a statewide computer system for the District Courts.  This automation enables improved judicial accountability, uniform processing of cases and potentially, increased collections of fines and costs.  The District Judges are responsible for all monies that flow through their offices.  They are required to disburse on a regular basis, the appropriate funds to the state, county and local municipalities.  In 2006, $1,406,578 was sent to Northampton County, $107,884 more than in 2005.    In addition, the District Courts collect and disperse constable costs, restitution, civil costs and bail money, etc.  With these added disbursements, the amount of money handled by the District Courts in 2006 totaled $7,968,560. 

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
69,745 cases were filed in the District Courts of Northampton County in 2006. There were:

48,702 traffic cases

10,526 summary cases

5,370 civil cases

5,147 criminal cases

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
The District Judges disposed of 68,638 cases in 2006.  Of these cases:

48,377 dispositions were for traffic cases

10,048 dispositions were forsummary cases

5,161 dispositions were forcivil cases

5,052 dispositions were forcriminal cases

As the above statistics indicate, the District Judges are moving the cases expeditiously through their courts.

General Court Information