Being charged with a summary criminal offense or a traffic offense is certainly an upsetting and concerning experience, but you do not have to handle the process alone. An experienced lawyer can be your greatest ally throughout the experience, helping you understand what you need to do and helping you present a defense that can greatly reduce, or even entirely eliminate, the penalties or sentence you may be facing.

District courts can be found throughout the state of Pennsylvania, and each county has numerous district courts that serve different areas within the county, including townships, boroughs, or sometimes even certain wards within those townships and boroughs. They are the busiest courts in the state, because they handle common types of cases: traffic violations, summary criminal offenses, municipal code violations, small civil claims under $12,000, and landlord tenant disputes.

When you are arrested or receive a citation for one of these offenses, you will also be notified about when and where you need to appear in district court. Pay careful attention to this information and have it with you when you speak to your attorney, so that you will know exactly when to appear and what is expected of you when you do.

Springfield District Court

District Court 32-1-32 is located at 56 Powell Road in Springfield, Pennsylvania. This specific district court represents Morton, as well as the following areas of Springfield: Ward 2 (Precinct 2), and Wards 3, 4, and 7. The court is presided over by the Honorable Judge Andrea B. Puppio, Esquire. The contact information for the court is: 610-543-2366 (phone) and 610-543-1920 (fax).

Traffic offenses, which are common cases handled in district court, can include running a stop sign or a red light, failure to yield, speeding, driving with a suspended license, and some cases of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Summary criminal offenses are also common cases handled in Pennsylvania district courts. Under Pennsylvania law, these kinds of cases can include underage drinking, loitering, disorderly conduct, harassment, shoplifting, and criminal mischief.

What kinds of penalties can you expect from these offenses? Generally, you can expect a much steeper penalty or sentence than you might think. For example, fines from these offenses can go up as high as $300. If it is your first offense, you could even be looking at 90 days in jail, and that number could be higher if you have been convicted before. The judge will decide in your proceeding whether or not you are guilty and what punishment you will face.

How to Prepare for Your Court Date

When you receive your assigned court date, call us and speak to an experienced attorney who can help you with your district court proceeding. Make sure there is plenty of time to prepare before your assigned date in court. We have handled cases in district court for years, so we are familiar with the process, as well as the best way to convince the judge to reduce your penalties or even to dismiss your case. We will provide you with the best legal representation available for your district court case, so do not hesitate to contact us and speak to one of our lawyers today.