Delaware County 32-1-23 Magisterial District Court
If the day is rapidly approaching when either you or a loved one is due to appear in front of the Magisterial District Court in Delaware County, you will almost certainly be a bit anxious. This is to be understood. It is why you will want an experienced criminal defense lawyer working on your behalf. You will be able to get your questions answered and my of your concerns alleviated so that you can sleep better at night.
Our office is comprised of a team of lawyers who have successfully defended hundreds of clients as they have appeared in the 32-1-23 Magisterial District Court. You might have received a summons to answer for a traffic citation that you received, or you might be asked to attend a preliminary arraignment hearing for a misdemeanor or felony charge that has been filed against you. It is also possible you have received a bench warrant or will be participating in a non-jury trial. If so, Gregory J. Loftus is the Magisterial District Judge you will be appearing in front of.
Where is the Court?
One of the most important things that you will want to know is where Delaware County’s 32-1-23 Magisterial District Court is actually located. You will find it in Collingdale, which is in the eastern part of Delaware County. The election district that comprises this particular court includes the Collingdale Borough. This Magisterial District Court will handle every possible traffic and non-traffic citation that is issued in the area. The court is also responsible for conducting most preliminary arraignments and hearings for misdemeanors and felonies that are believed to have been committed in Collingdale. This particular Magisterial District Court will also hear disagreements between a landlord and tenant. It will also deal with most civil cases where the claim for damages amounts to less than $12,000.
Magisterial District Courts Explained
You might be wondering what the function of a Magisterial District Court actually is. To begin, this is the court system that is charged with handling all types of summary offenses, which are considered to be the least serious kind of criminal charge in Pennsylvania. However, this does not mean that such a charge should not be taken seriously. On the contrary, summary offenses need to be fought just as vigorously as any type of charge that you could be facing.
One example of a summary offense is criminal mischief. This can consist of many different things. The burden of proof is on the prosecutor in this case. You must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This is why you will want a criminal defense attorney working the case on your behalf. They will begin by examining the evidence that the state has against you and then begin to form a strategy for your defense. Some other examples of summary offenses include disorderly conduct, underage drinking, driving when you have a suspended license, and certain types of shoplifting.
The 32-1-23 Magisterial District Court is one of 33 such courts located across Delaware County. If you have received a traffic violation, it will be heard here. If you need to answer for a misdemeanor or felony charge, then you will likely be asked to attend your preliminary hearing here before the case is then sent to the Court of Common Pleas. No matter what the situation might be, you need a lawyer to appear with you in court. The consequences of a conviction can follow you around for the rest of your life. You need to exert your legal rights of being innocent until proven guilty. That is what your criminal defense attorney will do for you.
Talk To Us First
As soon as you receive a summons to appear in court, give us a call. We will talk to you about your case, answer any questions that are lingering in your mind, and present a legal strategy to you. Time is of the essence, so do not delay.
