Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System

In Pennsylvania, the court system handles a wide range of legal issues, from major traffic tickets to serious criminal cases to major lawsuits.

Here in Allegheny County, the Fifth Judicial District manages our local court system. This includes the Court of Common Pleas, located in downtown Pittsburgh, which has different divisions to handle specific matters like criminal, family, and civil cases. Each court only has authority over certain kinds of cases, which is called its jurisdiction. 

Understanding how the state and local courts are structured can help you better navigate a legal issue in Allegheny County.

Below is an overview of the structure:

Magisterial District Courts (Minor Courts):

• These are entry-level courts, often referred to as "people's courts." 
• Jurisdiction covers:
  • Minor criminal offenses
  • Traffic violations
  • Small Civil Claims (up to $12,000)
  • Landlord-Tenant Disputes
  • Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders
  • Officiates marriages

In Allegheny County, there are 46 magisterial district courts, plus the Pittsburgh Municipal Court, which handles cases that arise within the city limits. 

Court of Common Pleas:

• These are Pennsylvania's main trial courts of general jurisdiction.
• There are 60 judicial districts in Pennsylvania, with Allegheny County designated as Judicial District Number 5. 
• They handle:
  • Major civil cases
  • Criminal cases
  • Family law matters (custody, divorce, support)
  • Probate (wills and estates)
  • Appeals from minor courts

In Allegheny County, it houses several divisions: Criminal, Civil, Family, and Orphans' Courts, each designed to handle specialized case types. 

Statewide Intermediate Appellate Courts:

Pennsylvania has two statewide intermediate appellate courts which review cases appealed from the Court of Common Pleas. 

• Superior Court: Reviews most appeals from the Court of Common Pleas, especially in criminal and civil cases.
• Commonwealth Court: Handles appeals involving state or local government, including issues like public agencies, zoning, and licensing, and also has original jurisdiction in certain civil actions against the Commonwealth. 

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania:

• The highest judicial authority in the state. 
• It hears select appeals from the lower appellate courts and its decisions create rules, called precedent, that lower courts must follow in future cases.