The 17th Judicial District is a two county Judicial District consisting of two judges. The Court of Common Pleas is a trial court of general jurisdiction handling all civil and criminal matters. A civil trial term is conducted during each calendar quarter. In addition, it handles child and spousal support matters, child custody matters, juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, and Orphan’s Court matters.
There are two Magisterial District Judges in Snyder County and two in Union County. More than 90% of all litigation occurs in the Courtroom of the Magisterial District Judge. 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, and the handling of civil and landlord tenant complaints up to a jurisdictional limit of $12,000. Search Warrants may be issued by Magisterial District Judges.
Magisterial District Judge’s jurisdiction in criminal cases includes summary through other misdemeanor and felony offenses including the initial phases of those offenses. These categories of cases are those filed in the District Court 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.
Magisterial District Judges, as officers of the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System, may administer oaths and affirmations and take acknowledgements. The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts provide public access to an ePay 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.
9 W Market St • Middleburg, PA 17842
Monday – Friday • 8:30 am – 4:00 pm