Delaware County 32-1-35 Magisterial District Court  HTML view Note

If you have been ignoring that summons to appear in from of the Magisterial District Court hoping that the day will never come, you are well aware that it eventually will. If you or a loved one is facing an upcoming court day, you might be feeling a bit uneasy at the moment. You have some questions that you need to have answered, and it would be nice to have a firm strategy in mind before you step through the doors of the court. This is why you will want to meet with us and get a professional criminal defense lawyer working on your case right from the start.

Our office has many qualified lawyers who experience fighting for hundreds of clients just like you in Upper Darby. We provide each client with a vigorous defense. This matters because our goal is to get you found innocent of the charges or to get a reduced sentence if you are. You do not want to trust this outcome to a public defender or an inexperienced lawyer who is not really looking out for your best interests.

Some Particulars About the Magisterial District Court

You will find that the Magisterial District Court 32-1-35 is located in Upper Darby in the Barclay Square Building on 1550 Garrett Road. This is only about three miles from the downtown district of Philadelphia. You will want to make special note of the fact that there is more than one Magisterial District Court located in Upper Darby, so ensure that you check your paperwork ahead of time so that you go to the correct building.

The Magisterial District Court is considered to be a minor court, but this does not mean that the charges heard and discussed are not serious. You will find that virtually all traffic and non-traffic citations are heard by this court. In addition, if you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony, it is likely that you will be asked to attend a preliminary arraignment or hearing here. The court also settles disputes between landlords and tenants, and it will hear civil cases where the value of alleged damages is under $12,000. The court is under the direction of Magisterial District Judge Ann Berardocco.

Getting Ready For Your Court Appearance

Magisterial District Courts in Delaware County are tasked with the responsibility of dealing with most summary offenses. These are relatively minor issues, but they come with big consequences if you are convicted. Charges can range from the following: Criminal mischief, alleged disorderly misconduct, drinking under the age of 21, driving with a license that has been suspended by the state, and shoplifting charges where the value of the merchandise is under $150. The judge in this court is also able to administer legal oaths and conduct marriages.

It is interesting to note that there are actually a total of 33 different Magisterial District Courts located across Delaware County. This is where virtually every criminal case will start, no matter if it is a misdemeanor or felony. You will be asked to make an appearance here for your preliminary hearing or arraignment. While this might be a very short meeting, it is extremely important. You want the best and most qualified criminal defense lawyer there with you. After this hearing, the case will be transferred to the Court of Common Pleas.

The validity of traffic citations is also decided by the Magisterial District Court. You will want to fight any such violation, and our office can help with you that. In addition to a fine, you are looking at points being added to your driver’s record if you are found guilty. You want to avoid this if at all possible.

IF you have received a notice to appear in Magisterial District Court 32-1-35, call us straight away. Allow us to explain how these hearings work and what we can do to best represent you in court.