The Pennsylvania Minor Courts

Pennsylvania has two minor courts: The Magisterial District Courts and the Philadelphia Municipal Court. These are the trial courts where most cases begin. Their decisions can be appealed to Pennsylvania’s Superior Court or Commonwealth Court if a litigant disagrees with the outcome. 

The Magisterial District Courts 

Magisterial District Courts are the smallest and most local level of courts in Pennsylvania. They are often called “people’s courts” because they handle everyday legal problems in the community. 

These courts deal with things like traffic tickets, minor criminal cases, civil claims involving less than $12,000, and landlord-tenant disputes. Magisterial district judges can also hold preliminary hearings in more serious criminal cases to decide if there’s enough evidence for the case to move to a higher court. 

Unlike judges in other Pennsylvania courts, Magisterial District Judges do not have to be licensed attorneys. Instead, they have the option to complete a certification course and pass an exam given by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. While they don’t need to be lawyers, they must pass this test before they can take office. 

There are 509 Magisterial District Courts across Pennsylvania, divided by geographic areas within the state’s counties. Magisterial District Judges are elected to six-year terms and do not run in retention elections. Instead, they must run for reelection in regular partisan elections, where they campaign as members of a political party. Judges can continue serving until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 75. 

To learn about the Magisterial District Courts candidates in your district, visit your local bar association’s website. 

Philadelphia Municipal Courts 

The Philadelphia Municipal Court is a special court that only exists in the city of Philadelphia. It functions like a Magisterial District Court for all of Philadelphia, rather than the county being divided into smaller courts 

The Philadelphia Municipal Court handles small criminal cases, traffic tickets, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil cases involving up to $12,000. It also holds preliminary arraignments for more serious crimes and sets bail for defendants before their cases move to a higher court. 

There are 27 judges on the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, and each serves a 6-year term. After each term, they can stand for retention in an election question posed to voters: should this judge serve for another 6 years? In the 2025 election, four Philadelphia Municipal Court judges are up for retention. There are also four open seats on the court, with four candidates competing for those positions. 

Judges can continue serving until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 75.