Magisterial District Judges
Responsibilities
Magisterial district courts are responsible for adjudicating all traffic and non-traffic citations as well as processing criminal and private criminal complaints inclusive of arraignments and preliminary hearings, the handling of civil and landlord tenant complaints up to a jurisdictional limit of $12,000 as well as parking violations.
Jurisdiction In Criminal & Court Cases
Magisterial district judges’ jurisdiction in criminal cases includes parking violations through other summary and misdemeanor and felony offenses, including the initial phases of murder offenses. All misdemeanor and felony violations are more commonly called court cases. These categories of cases are filed in the district courts where they are preliminarily arraigned and afforded a preliminary hearing. At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, the charges are dismissed, waived to court or held for court, and referred onto the Court of
Common Pleas.
Administering Oaths & Marriages
Magisterial district judges, as officers of the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System, may administer oaths and affirmations and take acknowledgements. They also have authority to perform marriages. It is the individual judge’s decision whether he or she wishes to perform marriage ceremonies as there is no legally prescribed form for a wedding ceremony, so religious services and vows conform to the secular content in which they are used.
Court Supervision
Pa.R.J.A.605 – Supervision of Magisterial District Courts by President Judges.
The president judge of the court of common pleas of a judicial district shall exercise general supervision and administrative authority over magisterial district courts within the judicial district.
Payments & Record Requests
Magisterial district courts use the PAePay online system for the payment of fines and costs at all of the magisterial district courts. This allows an individual to pay fines, costs, restitution, collateral etc. online from any internet connected computer.
Magisterial District Court Locations
Magisterial District Judge 39-2-01: Borough of Chambersburg
Glenn K. MannsMagisterial District Judge 39-3-05: Antrim Township, Borough of Greencastle
Duane K. CunnighamMagisterial District Judge 39-3-02: Borough of Waynesboro, Washington Township
Annie Gomez ShockeyMagisterial District Judge 39-3-06: Borough of Mercersburg, Montgomery Township, Metal Township, Peters Township, St. Thomas Township, Warren Township
Jody C. EyerMagisterial District Judge 39-3-03: Fannett Township, Hamilton Township, Letterkenny Township, Lurgan Township
David L. PlumMagisterial District Judge 39-3-07: Borough of Mont Alto, Guilford Township, Quincy Township
Kelly L. RockMagisterial District Judge 39-3-04:Borough of Orrstown, Borough of Shippensburg (West End), Greene Township, South Hampton Township
Kristin D. NicklasCentral Court
Preliminary hearings for all felony and misdemeanor arrests.
Where Is Central Court Held?
Courtroom six on the first floor of the Franklin County Judicial Center, 14 North Main Street, Chambersburg.
When Is Central Court Held?
Each Tuesday of every week (except when on legal holidays). In the event that a Tuesday is a legal holiday, Central Court is held on the Thursday of the same week
Initial Scheduling & Processing
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.
Schedule Management & Continuances
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.
*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).