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Delaware County

Delaware County

Delaware County

Delaware County Courts

 

When you’re facing criminal charges in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, the court system can feel overwhelming, confusing, and intimidating. From the moment you’re arrested or issued a citation to every hearing and potential trial date, understanding how the courts work — and how to navigate them strategically — can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case.

Attorney William Burrows provides experienced criminal defense representation in Delaware County, helping clients protect their rights and pursue the best possible results at every stage of the legal process.

Overview: How Delaware County’s Court System Works

 

Delaware County’s criminal justice system operates within the statewide Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System. The main courts that handle criminal cases here include:

Magisterial District Courts

 

These are the first courts where most criminal matters begin. They handle:

  • Arraignments and setting bail

  • Preliminary hearings for misdemeanor and felony cases

  • Summary offenses and traffic citations

  • Bench warrant matters

  • Civil disputes within limited monetary thresholds

 

Magisterial District Courts do not conduct jury trials. Instead, they oversee early procedural steps and determine whether serious cases should be passed on to the next level of court.

Delaware County Court of Common Pleas

 

This is the trial court of general jurisdiction. It handles:

  • Misdemeanor trials and sentencing

  • Felony trials (jury and non-jury)

  • Pretrial motions (e.g., suppression hearings)

  • Plea negotiations

  • Post-conviction relief actions

 

Serious criminal charges — including felony offenses — are ultimately resolved in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas in Media. This court conducts all jury trials and issues final verdicts and sentences in serious matters.

Delaware County Magisterial District Courts

 

Magisterial District Courts are the entry point for most criminal cases. If you’ve been arrested or cited in Delaware County, you will almost always appear first in one of these courts.

These courts handle routine criminal court matters and provide early opportunities to challenge evidence, protect your rights, and influence how the case proceeds.

What Happens in Delaware County Court of Common Pleas

 

Once a case is bound over from magisterial court — typically after a preliminary hearing — it proceeds to the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. This is where:

  • Formal arraignments and pleas take place

  • Discovery exchanges occur

  • Pretrial motions are litigated

  • Jury selection and trials happen

  • Sentencing is imposed if there is a conviction

 

Serious charges — such as burglary, felony drug offenses, assault, and DUI with aggravating factors — are generally resolved here, either through negotiated plea agreements or jury trials.

Typical Stages in a Delaware County Criminal Case

 

Criminal cases in Delaware County generally follow these procedural steps:

  1. Arraignment / Bail Hearing – Charges are formally read; bail decisions are made.

  2. Preliminary Hearing (Magisterial Court) – The judge determines whether the Commonwealth has established a prima facie case.

  3. Discovery / Pretrial Motions – Both sides exchange evidence; legal issues are litigated.

  4. Plea Negotiation – Defense and prosecution may seek a resolution short of trial.

  5. Trial – If the case is not resolved, it may proceed to jury or non-jury trial.

  6. Sentencing – If a conviction occurs, the court imposes penalties.

 

At every stage, having skilled legal advocacy can influence whether the case is dismissed, reduced, negotiated favorably, or tried effectively.

Why the Court Stage Matters

 

It’s common for people charged with criminal offenses — especially minor or summary matters — to underestimate how seriously they should take the legal process. However:

  • Bail decisions affect your freedom before trial

  • Preliminary hearings allow for early challenges to evidence

  • Suppression motions can exclude evidence obtained unlawfully

  • Plea negotiations may reduce penalties

  • Trial preparation can expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case

 

Professional representation ensures that your rights are preserved and that you don’t inadvertently waive critical protections.

How Attorney William Burrows Can Help

 

Attorney William Burrows represents clients facing criminal charges throughout Delaware County. His approach includes:

  • Protecting your constitutional rights from first contact with police

  • Reviewing arrest procedures and evidence for legal issues

  • Challenging procedural and constitutional errors

  • Negotiating plea agreements to minimize consequences

  • Developing trial strategies when a case goes to jury or bench trial

  • Advising you on collateral impacts of criminal convictions (e.g., employment, licensing, immigration)

 

William Burrows understands the judges, prosecutors, and courtroom procedures throughout Delaware County, giving his clients a strong advantage in the courtroom.

The Consequences of a Criminal Conviction

 

Convictions — even for relatively minor charges — can have far-reaching effects, including:

  • A permanent criminal record

  • Difficulty obtaining employment or housing

  • Professional licensing issues

  • Driver’s license suspensions

  • Collateral impacts in family, immigration, or academic matters

 

Early defense planning helps minimize these long-term consequences and protects your future.

Delaware County Magisterial District Courts

Attorney William Burrows represents clients at every Magisterial District Court throughout Delaware County, PA.

MDJ 32-1-20

MDJ 32-1-20 Chester Court

Chester, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-1-20 serves Chester, PA and handles the earliest stages of criminal proceedings in Delaware County. This court oversees arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings for criminal charges, summary offense trials, and traffic citations — and the decisions made here can have lasting effects on your case.

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MDJ 32-1-21

MDJ 32-1-21 Chester / Upland Court

Chester / Upland, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-1-21 serves Chester City and Upland Borough in Delaware County. This court handles criminal arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations. The decisions made at this level can significantly shape the outcome of your criminal case.

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MDJ 32-1-22

MDJ 32-1-22 Marcus Hook / Trainer Court

Marcus Hook / Trainer, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-1-22 serves Marcus Hook Borough and Trainer Borough in Delaware County. This court handles the initial stages of criminal proceedings, including arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, summary offense trials, and civil disputes under $12,000.

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MDJ 32-1-23

MDJ 32-1-23 Eddystone / Ridley Park Court

Eddystone / Ridley Park, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-1-23 serves Eddystone Borough and Ridley Park Borough in Delaware County. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail determinations, summary offense trials, and traffic citations for the southern Delaware County area.

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MDJ 32-1-27

MDJ 32-1-27 Ridley Township Court

Ridley Township, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-1-27 serves Ridley Township in Delaware County. This court handles the initial stages of criminal proceedings, including preliminary hearings, arraignments, bail settings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations for the Ridley Township area.

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MDJ 32-1-28

MDJ 32-1-28 Norwood / Prospect Park Court

Norwood / Prospect Park, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-1-28 serves Norwood Borough and Prospect Park Borough in Delaware County. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail settings, summary offense trials, traffic citations, and civil disputes for the southeastern Delaware County area.

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MDJ 32-1-30

MDJ 32-1-30 Darby / Sharon Hill Court

Darby / Sharon Hill, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-1-30 serves Darby Borough and Sharon Hill Borough in Delaware County. This court handles the earliest stages of criminal proceedings, including arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense trials for the Darby area.

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MDJ 32-1-32

MDJ 32-1-32 Springfield Township Court

Springfield Township, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-1-32 serves Springfield Township in Delaware County. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail determinations, summary offense trials, traffic citations, and civil disputes under $12,000 for the Springfield Township area.

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MDJ 32-1-33

MDJ 32-1-33 Media / Middletown Court

Media / Middletown, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-1-33 serves Media Borough and Middletown Township in Delaware County. This court handles the initial stages of criminal proceedings, including preliminary hearings, arraignments, bail settings, and summary offense trials for the Media area.

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MDJ 32-1-34

MDJ 32-1-34 Marple Township Court

Marple Township, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-1-34 serves Marple Township in Delaware County. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail settings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations for the Marple Township area of Delaware County.

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MDJ 32-1-36

MDJ 32-1-36 Haverford Township Court

Haverford Township, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-1-36 serves Haverford Township in Delaware County. This court handles the initial stages of criminal proceedings, including preliminary hearings, arraignments, bail settings, and summary offense trials for the Haverford Township area.

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MDJ 32-2-37

MDJ 32-2-37 Lansdowne / East Lansdowne Court

Lansdowne / East Lansdowne, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-37 serves Lansdowne Borough and East Lansdowne Borough in Delaware County. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail settings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations for the Lansdowne area of Delaware County.

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MDJ 32-2-38

MDJ 32-2-38 Folcroft / Glenolden / Norwood Court

Folcroft / Glenolden / Norwood, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-38 serves Folcroft Borough, Glenolden Borough, and Norwood Borough in Delaware County. This court handles the earliest stages of criminal proceedings, including arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense trials.

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MDJ 32-2-39

MDJ 32-2-39 Colwyn / Darby Township Court

Colwyn / Darby Township, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-39 serves Colwyn Borough and Darby Township in Delaware County. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail settings, summary offense trials, traffic citations, and civil disputes for the Darby Township area.

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MDJ 32-2-40

MDJ 32-2-40 Upper Darby Court

Upper Darby, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-40 serves communities in the eastern portion of Delaware County, including Upper Darby Township. This court handles the earliest stages of criminal cases, including arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense trials.

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MDJ 32-2-42

MDJ 32-2-42 Collingdale Court

Collingdale, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-42 serves Collingdale Borough and surrounding communities in the eastern portion of Delaware County. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail settings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations.

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MDJ 32-2-43

MDJ 32-2-43 Radnor Township Court

Radnor Township, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-43 serves Radnor Township in the central portion of Delaware County. This court handles the earliest stages of criminal proceedings, including arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations.

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MDJ 32-2-44

MDJ 32-2-44 Prospect Park / Ridley Township Court

Prospect Park / Ridley Township, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-44 serves communities in the southeastern portion of Delaware County. This court handles the earliest stages of criminal cases, including arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations.

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MDJ 32-2-46

MDJ 32-2-46 Upper Providence Township Court

Upper Providence Township, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-46 serves Upper Providence Township in the central portion of Delaware County. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail settings, summary offense trials, traffic citations, and civil disputes under $12,000.

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MDJ 32-2-47

MDJ 32-2-47 Yeadon Court

Yeadon, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-47 serves Yeadon Borough and surrounding communities in the eastern portion of Delaware County. This court handles the earliest stages of criminal proceedings, including arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense trials.

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MDJ 32-2-48

MDJ 32-2-48 Edgmont / Newtown Township Court

Edgmont / Newtown Township, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-48 serves communities in the western portion of Delaware County, including Edgmont Township and Newtown Township. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail settings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations.

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MDJ 32-2-49

MDJ 32-2-49 Bethel / Chadds Ford / Concord / Thornbury Court

Bethel / Chadds Ford / Concord / Thornbury, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-49 serves communities in the western portion of Delaware County, including Bethel Township, Chadds Ford Township, Concord Township, and Thornbury Township. This court handles arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense trials.

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MDJ 32-2-51

MDJ 32-2-51 East Lansdowne / Upper Darby Court

East Lansdowne / Upper Darby, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-51 serves East Lansdowne Borough and Upper Darby Township in the eastern portion of Delaware County. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail settings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations.

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MDJ 32-2-52

MDJ 32-2-52 Clifton Heights Court

Clifton Heights, PA
Judge: Hon. Kelly Micozzie-Aguirre

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-52, presided over by Hon. Kelly Micozzie-Aguirre, serves Clifton Heights Borough and surrounding communities in the eastern portion of Delaware County. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail settings, and summary offense trials.

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MDJ 32-2-53

MDJ 32-2-53 Haverford / Upper Darby Court

Haverford / Upper Darby, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-53 is located in Haverford, PA and serves both Haverford Township and Upper Darby Township. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail settings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations for these communities.

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MDJ 32-2-54

MDJ 32-2-54 Delaware County Court

Delaware County, PA

Magisterial District Court MDJ 32-2-54 serves communities in Delaware County and handles the earliest stages of criminal proceedings, including arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations. Attorney William Burrows represents clients at this court.

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Facing charges in Delaware County? Attorney William Burrows represents clients at all district courts throughout the county.

View All Delaware County Courts We Serve

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1518 Walnut Street st 808, Philadelphia, PA 19102

267-738-7766

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Philadelphia

1518 Walnut Street st 808, Philadelphia, PA 19102

267-738-7766

Get Directions

Philadelphia

1518 Walnut Street st 808, Philadelphia, PA 19102

267-738-7766

Get Directions

Philadelphia

1518 Walnut Street st 808, Philadelphia, PA 19102

267-738-7766

Get Directions