Pennsylvania district courts are also called magisterial courts. There are often dozens of district courts in each county in Pennsylvania, including Montgomery County, and each of those district courts is designed to serve certain voting districts, or entire boroughs or townships, within the county. To determine which district court serves your voting district, you may visit https://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1413.

District courts are the first courts in Pennsylvania to hear cases involving particular kinds of offenses. Specifically, district courts handle traffic offenses, summary criminal offenses, municipal code violations, landlord tenant suits, and small claims of under $12,000. If you have been issued a citation for a traffic or minor criminal offense, or if you have been arrested, you will probably be expected to appear in your local district court for an arraignment, a hearing, or a non-jury trial. The information provided to you by the police officer should contain the information you need, but your attorney can also help you understand what is expected of you when you arrive in district court.

Lafayette Hill District Court

In the Lafayette Hill area of Montgomery County, the local court is District Court 38-1-23. This district court covers Whitemarsh Township and voting districts 2, 3, 5, and 7 of Conshohocken Township. The address of District Court 38-1-23 is 4002 Center Avenue in Lafayette Hill, and its contact information is 610-828-5226 (phone number) and 610-828-0446 (fax number). The Honorable Judge Deborah Lukens presides over this district court.

In Judge Lukens’ courtroom, you are probably facing charges of a traffic violation or a summary (minor) criminal offense. The most common kinds of traffic violations include: speeding, driving with a suspended license, failure to yield, or running a red light or stop sign. The most common kinds of summary criminal offenses include: driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, harassment, shoplifting or petty theft, disorderly conduct, loitering, or underage drinking.

After you have been arrested or issued your citation, you will likely receive a notice or summons to appear in district court for your hearing, arraignment, or non-jury trial. Although the offense you have been charged with may seem relatively minor, it is absolutely worth your time and effort to take it seriously and prepare a defense with the help of your attorney prior to your court date.

Even these kinds of offenses can result in serious penalties that can have a devastating effect on your family. Traffic violations and summary offenses can result in hundreds of dollars in fines, and even up to 90 days in jail (or 180 days, if you are a repeat offender). Because these penalties can place a huge burden on you and your family, do not hesitate to contact one of our experienced attorneys as soon as you receive your summons so that you have plenty of time to prepare your defense.

Our attorneys have handled hundreds of cases involving traffic violations and summary criminal offenses in the district courts throughout Montgomery County. Because of our extensive experience, we will be able to carefully talk you through the entire process and develop a convincing defense to show Judge Lukens that you deserve to have your charges dropped or your penalty reduced. Don’t wait to give us a call today.