Getting a notice or summons to appear in a Pennsylvania district court can be concerning if you have received a traffic violation or been charged with another summary offense. Hearings for these kinds of offenses are heard first in district courts, also called magisterial courts, in Pennsylvania. These district courts also handle small claims (for values below $12,000) and landlord tenant disputes, but the most frequent offenses in district court are traffic violations and other summary offenses.

Whether you are in district court for a traffic hearing, a preliminary criminal hearing, an arraignment, or a non-jury trial, you should go into your hearing informed and prepared with a solid and convincing defense. Even if the offense seems minor to you, the consequences that could result from a conviction are anything but minor. To prevent placing a burden on you and your family through expensive fines or jail time, you should work with an experienced lawyer prior to your court date to develop your defense and be as confident as possible in court. Our attorneys have handled hundreds of cases just like your case in Pennsylvania district courts, and our knowledge and experience will help you prepare for your court hearing with the best legal representation available.

Ardmore District Court

If you live in Narberth Borough, or in certain voting districts of Lower Merion Township (voting districts 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 8-2, 8-4, 10-1,10-2, 11-1), and are charged with a traffic violation, a municipal code violation, a DUI or DWI, or a summary criminal offense, you will be summoned to your hearing in the district court located in Ardmore, District Court 38-1-07. The address of the court is 116A Cricket Avenue in Ardmore. The court can be reached by phone at 610-896-8585 or by fax at 610-896-8601.

The Ardmore district court is presided over by the Honorable Judge Kathleen Valentine. In Judge Valentine’s court, you may be present for your traffic hearing, a preliminary criminal hearing or an arraignment, or even for a non-jury trial where the Judge will make the decision for the court. Because these hearings or other proceedings will determine the sentence or other penalty you receive for your violation, it is very important that you take them seriously and prepare for them.

You will likely be summoned to Ardmore district court if you have been charged with any of the following: shoplifting, underage drinking, a DUI or DWI, harassment, speeding, running a red light or stop sign, loitering, or disorderly conduct. If you are charged with any of these offenses, you may have been issued a ticket or citation, or in some cases, you may have been arrested.

The best way to properly prepare for your hearing in district court is to contact an experienced attorney who knows how the Ardmore district court works. Your attorney will help you prepare by evaluating the evidence and working with you to determine how to best explain to Judge Valentine that you deserve to have your sentence lessened, or even to have your charges dropped.

Don’t wait to get in touch with one of our attorneys so that you will have plenty of time to prepare your defense before your court date. Contact our offices today.