1. Court System

2. District Judge Also known as magistrate
Lowest level of the judicial system
Have the least power in the judicial system
Don’t need to be a lawyer (can take a class)
Elected office

3. “hears” cases involving
Summary offenses-criminal
Traffic offenses-criminal
Dog and fish law violations-criminal
Issuing search warrants-criminal
Holding bail hearings-criminal
Determining if a case exists or dismiss case-criminal
Settling disputes in small claims court usually without an attorney-civil

4. Hearings rather than trials
No court reporter

5. Small Claims Court Damage or injury is small
Rarely an appeal of a decision
For a small fee, fill out a small claims civil complaint form
Trial date is set (you must appear)
Judge listens to both sides and makes a decision

6. PA Small Claims Court Also known as Magistrate Court
Can sue up to $9000

7. Common Pleas Court Trial court at the county level
Use a court reporter
Judges are elected and must be lawyers
Attorneys are used

8. Commonwealth Court Appeals court for civil cases in PA
Panel of judges who listen to arguments for or against the appeal
Decisions are binding within PA

9. State Superior Court Level above common pleas court
Used for criminal appeals
Decisions are binding and work same way as commonwealth court

10. State Supreme Court Highest court in PA
Deals only with constitutional issues
Decisions are binding in PA

11. Criminal Appeals
Government cannot appeal acquittals except on a question of law
Defendant may appeal

12. Appeals Court
3 options
Affirm
Reverse
Reverse and Remand

13. Affirm
Decision of lower court is upheld

14. Reverse
Decision of lower court is overturned, vacated or made void, or set aside

15. Reverse and Remand
Lower court decision is reversed, but an opportunity is given to the lower court to hear further arguments and make a new decision