Central Court
About
Each Tuesday of every week, except when a legal holiday, preliminary hearings for all felony and misdemeanor arrests are held in courtroom six on the first floor of the Franklin County Judicial Center, 14 N. Main St., Chambersburg, PA. In the event that a Tuesday is a legal holiday, Central Court is held on the Thursday of the same week.
Two Magisterial District Judges are assigned on a rotating schedule to handle each Central Court day. Central Court in Franklin County was established on January 29, 2001 pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. Rule 131(B).
The initial scheduling of preliminary hearings is the responsibility of the issuing Magisterial District Court. After scheduling the preliminary hearing the issuing Magisterial District Court will transfer the criminal cases to the Central Court Coordinator for processing.
The Central Court Coordinator is responsible for monitoring the list of cases set for Central Court and managing the cases scheduled. Any continuances requested by attorneys, affiants and defendants for preliminary hearings must be submitted in writing, by email or by fax to the issuing Magisterial District Judge. The issuing Magisterial District Judge will either grant or deny the request after conferring with the District Attorney and/or Defense Attorney.
