Magisterial District Judge Administration

Jamira T. Williams
Deputy Court Administrator – Magisterial District Judges
2 South Market Street
3^rd Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 780-6637
[email protected]

Britt Klouser
Administrative Assistant
2 South Market Street
3^rd Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 780-6636
[email protected]

Susan Davis
Administrative Assistant
2 South Market Street
3^rd Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 780-6637
[email protected]

In Pennsylvania, the Magisterial District Courts are the first level of the Judicial System and, for most individuals, the only level of the court system that they will interact with or experience. The Magisterial District Judge (MDJ) system primarily handles 5 different types of cases. They are:

-Traffic – including citations for both moving (i.e speeding, lane changes, etc.) and non-moving (parking, etc.) violations

-Non-Traffic – including, but not limited to, citations for more minor offenses such as underage drinking, retail thefts and disorderly conduct.

-Civil -- limited to amounts up to $12,000 against both individuals or businesses. Suits can be filed either where the course of action arose or where a transaction or occurrence took place which gave rise to the cause of action. If against an individual, the suit can also be filed in any other Magisterial District where the defendant can be served. If the suit is against a business or corporation the suit may also be filed in the Magisterial District where the defendant regularly conducts business.

-Landlord/Tenant – Magisterial District Judges make determinations if terms within a lease agreement have been broken and issues judgments if necessary. They also determine if possession should be granted back to the property owner if requested.

-Criminal cases – All Criminal cases begin at the Magisterial District Judge Level. Magisterial District Judges conduct Preliminary Arraignments to initially set bail and then subsequently hold a Preliminary Hearing to determine if a Prima Facia case was established. If so, the case is bound over to the Court of Common Pleas for trial or other disposition. Magisterial District Judges have authority to accept guilty pleas on a select minor criminal offenses and impose sentence.

Dauphin County currently has 15 Magisterial District Judges that are located throughout the county. Each Magisterial District Judge is elected to a 6-year term through a local municipal election and are employees of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All other staff are employees of Dauphin County, and the County is responsible for providing the office space and most of the supplies needed to effectively administer justice.