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 50-3-01 is located at 520 Kelly Boulevard, Slippery Rock. This District contains the following municipalities:
Townships
- Brady
- Franklin
- Harrisville
- Mercer
- Muddy Creek
- Slippery Rock
- Worth
Boroughs
- Portersville
- Prospect
- Slippery Rock
- West Liberty