





If your summons lists Magisterial District Court 07-2-01, your case is scheduled in Richboro, Bucks County. For many individuals, this is the first court appearance after receiving a criminal charge or traffic citation. Early proceedings at this level—particularly bail determinations and preliminary hearings—can significantly influence how your case moves forward.
Presiding Judge: Hon. Brian M. Marriott
Location: Richboro, Pennsylvania
Communities Served: Upper Southampton Township and Northampton Township
Carefully review your paperwork for the correct address, date, and time. Failure to appear can result in a bench warrant and additional legal consequences.
Magisterial District Courts are courts of limited jurisdiction within Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System. They do not conduct jury trials. Instead, they oversee:
Preliminary Arraignments (where charges are formally presented and bail is set)
Preliminary Hearings (where the judge determines whether sufficient evidence exists to send the case to the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas)
Summary Offense Trials (traffic and non-traffic citations)
Bench Warrant Proceedings
Landlord–Tenant Disputes and Small Civil Claims (up to $12,000 under current Pennsylvania limits)
All misdemeanor and felony cases begin in Magisterial District Court before potentially being transferred to the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas in Doylestown if the case is held for court.
MDJ 07-2-01 frequently handles:
Traffic violations (illegal turns, speeding, red-light violations, driving under suspension)
Disorderly conduct
Criminal mischief
Harassment
Underage drinking
Public intoxication
Retail theft (summary-level cases)
Summary offenses are the lowest classification of criminal charges in Pennsylvania. However, they can still carry significant consequences, including:
Fines (often up to $300 or more depending on the statute)
Court costs
Up to 90 days in jail for many first-time summary offenses
Increased penalties for repeat offenses
A criminal record in certain cases
Even minor convictions can impact employment opportunities, insurance rates, and background checks.
If you are scheduled to appear in MDJ 07-2-01:
Arrive early to allow time for parking and courthouse security.
Bring all relevant documents and identification.
Understand whether your appearance is for a summary trial, preliminary hearing, or arraignment.
Be prepared for proceedings that move efficiently and may conclude quickly.
At a preliminary hearing, the Commonwealth must establish a prima facie case. If the judge determines that sufficient evidence exists, the case will proceed to the Court of Common Pleas for further litigation.
Because Magisterial District Courts often handle lower-level offenses, some individuals believe they can represent themselves or simply plead guilty and pay a fine. However, even summary convictions can:
Result in jail time
Lead to driver’s license suspensions
Appear on criminal background checks
Increase penalties for future charges
An experienced criminal defense attorney can:
Evaluate whether the evidence supports the charge
Cross-examine witnesses during preliminary hearings
Seek dismissal where evidence is weak
Negotiate reductions or alternative resolutions
Work to protect your record whenever possible
Early legal strategy can sometimes prevent a case from escalating to the Court of Common Pleas.
Attorney Michael Kotik represents individuals appearing in Magisterial District Court 07-2-01 and throughout Bucks County.
Representation at this stage may include:
Advocating for reasonable bail conditions
Challenging probable cause or insufficient evidence
Advising clients on protecting their constitutional rights
Negotiating summary offense resolutions
Preparing cases that proceed to higher court
Understanding local procedures and how cases move through Bucks County courts allows for strategic defense planning from the outset.
If you have received a summons to appear in Magisterial District Court 07-2-01 in Richboro, it is important to take the matter seriously—even if the charge appears minor.
Contact Michael Kotik to review your case, understand your options, and develop a defense strategy tailored to your situation in Richboro and throughout Bucks County.
Montgomery 12/2016

