If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense in Delaware County, there’s a high chance your charges may be adjudicated in a magisterial district court. Delaware County is massive and is home to a whopping 32 magisterial courts. In each of these respective courtrooms, there will preside an elected district judge.

Magisterial district courts have limited jurisdiction. They are responsible for some criminal matters, like preliminary hearings, arraignments, and summary offenses – the least serious grade of criminal offenses in Pennsylvania. Aside from criminal offenses, these courts also handle small civil actions and landlord-tenant disputes.

The following chart lists the magisterial district courts that are scattered throughout Delaware County.

Court Judge City Address Contact
32-1-20 Wilden H. Davis Chester 160 E. Seventh Street 610-876-2151

Fax: 610-874-7864
32-1-21 Dawn L. Vann Chester 160 E. Seventh Street 610-874-7180

Fax: 610-874-7864
32-1-22 Spencer B. Seaton Jr. Chester 160 E. Seventh Street 610-874-1790

Fax: 610-874-7864
32-1-23 Gregory J. Loftus Collingdale 100 Clifton Avenue 610-534-3443

Fax: 610-534-5978
32-1-24 Robert M. D’Agostino Broomall 796 Parkway Boulevard 610-338-2250

Fax: 610-338-2253
32-1-25 Robert R. Burke Havertown 525 West Chester Pike

Suites 103 & 105

 610-449-8250

Fax: 610-789-9167
32-1-27 David H. Lang Newtown Square 4655 West Chester Pike 610-356-7430

Fax: 610-356-0692
32-1-28 Deborah Krull Media 349 West Baltimore Avenue 610-566-0827

Fax: 610-566-2732
32-1-30 Vincent D. Gallagher Folsom 100 MacDade Boulevard 610-532-0320

Fax: 610-532-0953
32-1-31 Philip S. Turner Crum Lynne 1201 Haverford Road 610-833-2581

Fax: 610-833-2651
32-1-32 Andrea B. Puppio Springfield 56 Powell Road 610-543-2366

Fax: 610-543-1920
32-1-33 Harry J. Karapalides Upper Darby 1550 Garrett Road 610-626-6900

Fax: 610-623-0463
32-1-34 Robert J. Radano Upper Darby 1550 Garrett Road 610-626-6900

Fax: 610-622-2751
32-1-35 Ann Berardocco Upper Darby 1550 Garrett Road 610-626-6900

Fax: 610-623-0463
32-1-36 David R. Griffin Linwood 526 W. Ridge Road 610-859-9748

Fax: 610-859-9751
32-2-37 Leonard V. Tenaglia Darby 150 S. MacDade Boulevard

Suite E

 610-534-3504

Fax: 610-534-0714
32-2-38 Diane Holefelder Aston 1 New Road 610-558-3520

Fax: 610-558-3528
32-2-39 VACANT Brookhaven 2 Cambridge Road

Suite 300

 610-874-8178

Fax: 610-874-7893
32-2-40 Steven A. Sandone Glenolden 11 Bartram Avenue 610-583-6646

Fax: 610-583-1197
32-2-42 Michael A. Burns Glenolden 36 E. Boon Avenue 610-583-6647

Fax: 610-583-0386
32-2-43 Leon Hunter Newtown Square 4655 West Chester Pike 610-356-2997

Fax: 610-356-0692
32-2-44 Jack D. Lippart Prospect Park 1028 Lincoln Avenue 610-534-5627

Fax: 610-534-5610
32-2-46 Andrew Goldberg Media 939 N. Providence Road 610-566-3495

Fax: 610-566-7016
32-2-47 W. Keith Williams II Yeadon 536 Church Lane 610-259-8848

Fax: 610-259-8920
32-2-48 Walter A. Strohl Lima 27 S. Pennell Road 610-565-4110

Fax: 610-565-1640
32-2-49 Wendy B. Roberts Glen Mills 485 Baltimore Pike 610-558-3605

Fax: 610-558-3618
32-2-51 Christopher R. Mattox Upper Darby 1550 Garrett Road 610-626-6900

Fax: 610-623-0463
32-2-52 Kelly A. Micozzie-Aguirre Secane 409 Ashland Avenue

Suite 1

 610-622-8102

Fax: 610-622-8105
32-2-53 Elisa C. Lacianca Havertown 525 West Chester Pike

Suites 103 & 105

 610-449-5189

Fax: 610-789-9167
32-2-54 James J. Merkins Springfield 56 Powell Road 610-690-7668

Fax: 610-543-1920

For more information about the Delaware County magisterial district courts and their locations, visit the county website.

The Role Of An Attorney

Although one of the roles of Delaware County magisterial district courts is to decide upon summary offenses, their other roles shouldn’t be overlooked. Most serious offenses involving misdemeanor and felony charges are tried in these courts, requiring most defendants to attend preliminary hearings and arraignments held by them. It is the initial stages of the criminal prosecution that are the most important, especially for defendants. And it is these court appearances that will influence the outcome of your case. This is why the presence if an attorney throughout the entire process, from beginning to end, is incredibly important.

The initial and most critical step in the criminal prosecution process is the preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing in Delaware County will be held at any of the magisterial district court locations above, depending on your location and the court’s jurisdiction. Defendants are sent a notice within 10 days of an arrest that includes the date and time of their first mandatory court hearing. At this hearing, it will be determined whether or not there is sufficient evidence to put a defendant on trial. If you seek an attorney, they can help you maximize your chances of a favorable outcome at this stage in the process.

Following a preliminary hearing is an arraignment. At an arraignment, several things will take place. The court will detail your charges, your bail amount will be set, and most importantly, you will be asked to enter a plea. A plea is one of the single most important factors in how your case will play out. Only an experienced attorney will be able to decide which course of action is best for your case.

Understand that in the criminal justice process, the end goal for every defendant is to avoid the creation of a criminal record, or to avoid adding additional charges and/or a conviction to their existing record. A conviction and charges on an individual’s criminal record come with serious collateral consequences that will make things like landing a job, getting government aid, living in certain places, and flexing certain rights difficult.

This is why it’s important for you to consider retaining a Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney. An experienced and skilled legal professional will know the ins and outs of the magisterial district courts and bring valuable insight and expertise to your case. Familiarity with the process and major players has its perks, as an attorney can properly assess the chances of reducing your charges or even dismissing your case.

Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’ve been arrested and charged with a criminal offense in Bucks County, you should consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss your options. LLF Law Firm has helped numerous clients with misdemeanor and felony charges get their sentence reduced, and even get their charges dismissed. For more about representation or case evaluation, contact them online or by phone at 888-535-3686 today.

Delaware County

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