Criminal Justice System
Judicial System
The Courts of Common Pleas are the general trial courts of Pennsylvania. Major civil and criminal cases are heard in these courts. Judges also decide cases involving adoption, divorce, child custody, abuse, juvenile delinquency, estates, guardianships, charitable organizations and many other matters.
The Common Pleas courts are organized into 60 judicial districts, most of which encompass a single county. Seven judicial districts include two counties. Franklin and Fulton counties make up the 39th Judicial District. Each district has from one to 93 judges – elected to 10-year terms – and has a president judge and a court administrator.
Minor courts, or special courts, are the first level of Pennsylvania’s judiciary. These courts are presided over by magisterial district judges (MDJs) and municipal court judges. MDJs do not have to be lawyers, but they are required to pass a qualifying exam.
Adult Probation, Juvenile Probation, Domestic Relations, the Juvenile Master and the Master of Divorce are all court-related departments.
