District 50-3-03

Magisterial District Courts which are mandated pursuant to Article V Section 7 of the Pennsylvania Constitution are the first level of courts under the Unified Judicial System. For many Pennsylvanians, District Courts are the first and only court they will experience. There are approximately 550 District Courts in Pennsylvania. 

Original Jurisdiction

District Courts have original jurisdiction over all summary offenses including, but not limited to:

• Bad Checks
• Disorderly Conduct
• Harassment
• Traffic Offenses, Etc.

Criminal Matters

They have jurisdiction over all criminal matters for the purpose of:

• Accepting Pleas on Certain Misdemeanor Offenses
• Except for Murder and Voluntary Manslaughter
• Issuing Warrants
• Presiding over Preliminary Hearings
• Setting Bail

Juvenile Offenses

District Courts preside over summary offenses for juveniles in such areas as truancy, underage drinking, retail theft, etc.

Landlord & Tenant Disputes

District Courts have original jurisdiction over all landlord and tenant disputes as well as civil actions where the amount claimed does not exceed $12,000. District Judges may also preside over marriage ceremonies and oaths of office.

Location

District Court 50-3-03 is located at 333 West Main Street, Suite 103, Saxonburg. This District contains the following municipalities: 

Townships

• Buffalo
• Clinton
• Jefferson
• Middlesex
• Penn
• Winfield

Boroughs

• Saxonburg