Northampton County Magisterial District Courts
3rd Judicial District

Magistrates Seated left to right: Diane S. Repyneck , Joan Marakovits, 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 F. P. Kimberly McFadden exercises general supervision and administrative control over the District Judges.  Debra C. French, Deputy Court Administrator, oversees the operations of the District Courts. 

On January 4, 2008, after winning the election, Daniel Corpora was sworn-in as a first-time Magisterial District Judge of District Court 03-2-06.  The vacancy was brought about by the retirement of MDJ Sandra Zemgulis.  MDJ Patricia Romig-Passaro was also sworn-in during the ceremony.

In January 2008, District Court 03-1-04 moved from Linden Street in Bethlehem to 248 Brodhead Road, Suite 2 in Bethlehem.  In December 2008, District Court 03-2-08 relocated from Spruce Street in Nazareth to 136. S. Main Street in Nazareth.  Both District Courts received increased office space, additional parking and greater security enhancements by moving to the new locations.

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.  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 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 2008, $1,689,950 was sent to Northampton County, $84,376 more than in 2007.    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 2008 totaled $8,714,432. 

District Court Case Filings
73,658 cases were filed in the District Courts of Northampton County in 2008.  There were:

52,810 traffic cases

9,811 summary cases

5,965 civil cases

5,072 criminal cases

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

General Court Information