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Montgomery County
Montgomery County
Montgomery County Courts Overview
Facing criminal charges in Montgomery County can be one of the most stressful experiences of your life. Whether you’re dealing with a traffic stop that led to serious charges, a misdemeanor citation, or an arrest for a felony offense, knowing where your case will be heard and how the local courts operate matters — especially when your freedom, record, and future are at stake.
Attorney William A. Weiss provides experienced criminal defense representation in Montgomery County courts, guiding clients through each stage of the legal process and helping them understand what to expect as their case moves forward.
Overview: Pennsylvania Court System in Montgomery County
In Montgomery County, criminal cases are handled in two main court tiers:
1. Magisterial District Courts
These are the first courts you’ll encounter after arrest or citation. They handle:
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Arraignments and bail hearings
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Preliminary hearings for felony and misdemeanor cases
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Summary offense and traffic cases
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Bench warrant hearings
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Some civil matters (e.g., small claims, landlord-tenant disputes)
Magisterial District Courts do not conduct jury trials. Instead, they decide whether there is sufficient evidence for more serious cases to proceed to the next level of court.
2. Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas
This is the trial court for the county and handles more serious matters, including:
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Misdemeanor trials and sentencing
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Felony trials (jury or bench)
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Motions (e.g., suppression, discovery disputes)
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Post-conviction relief and appeals within the county system
The Court of Common Pleas is where the stakes are highest: jury selection, trial presentations, plea negotiations, and sentencing all take place here.
Montgomery County Magisterial District Courts
Magisterial District Courts in Montgomery County are your court of first appearance. Depending on where an arrest or incident occurred, you may be assigned to one of several district courts. These courts are critical because early decisions about bail, probable cause, and preliminary hearings can shape the balance of your case before it ever reaches the Court of Common Pleas.
Each Magisterial District Judge presides over arraignments, summary cases, and hearings that determine whether a criminal case should be bound over to Common Pleas.
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas
Once a case leaves magisterial court through a preliminary hearing (or is directly assigned), it proceeds to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas in Norristown.
Here, serious decisions are made:
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Plea negotiations — most cases are resolved at this stage
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Pretrial motions — challenges to evidence or procedure
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Trials — bench or jury
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Sentencing — if a plea or verdict results in conviction
Understanding how to navigate motions, jury selection strategies, and complex evidentiary issues is essential to achieving the best possible result.
Important Milestones in Montgomery County Criminal Cases
Regardless of the offense, criminal cases generally follow a series of procedural steps:
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Arraignment — charges are read, and bail conditions may be set.
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Preliminary Hearing — in magisterial court, evidence is tested.
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Discovery & Pretrial Motions — both sides exchange evidence; legal issues are litigated.
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Plea Negotiations — prosecution and defense discuss possible resolution.
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Trial — the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Sentencing — sanctions imposed if there is a conviction.
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Appeal or Post-Conviction Relief — challenging errors after conviction.
Each stage has deadlines and legal nuances. Missing a requirement or misjudging a procedural move can affect your rights and outcomes.
How an Attorney Can Help
A criminal charge in Montgomery County isn’t just a matter of showing up in court. It involves:
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Evaluating probable cause and constitutional issues
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Challenging unlawful searches or unreliable evidence
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Negotiating plea offers to minimize long-term consequences
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Guiding you through plea agreements or trial decisions
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Advocating for reduced sentences or alternative resolutions
William Weiss brings experience, strategy, and personal attention to every case. He is familiar with:
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The judges and prosecutors in Montgomery County
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Local courtroom procedures
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Effective strategies for motions, hearings, and trial advocacy
Having a knowledgeable defense attorney early — especially before making statements to police or entering pleas — can fundamentally change the outcome of your case.
Why You Should Take Montgomery County Court Seriously
Even what might feel like a minor charge can carry serious consequences, including:
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Jail or prison time
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Fines and court costs
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Driver’s license suspension
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Criminal record that affects employment and housing
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Collateral consequences for immigration or child custody
The court system is designed to protect constitutional rights — but only if you assert them. Many defendants unknowingly waive rights that could protect them simply by not having experienced counsel.
Speak With a Montgomery County Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with a criminal or traffic offense in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, early legal guidance is critical.
Attorney William Weiss can help you navigate:
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Magisterial District Court proceedings
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Preliminary hearings
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Plea discussions
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Strategies for trial or sentencing
Contact us to discuss your case, understand your rights, and build a strategic defense tailored to your situation.
Montgomery County Magisterial District Courts
Attorney William A. Weiss represents clients at every Magisterial District Court throughout Montgomery County, PA.
MDJ 38-1-01 East Norriton / West Norriton Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-01 serves East Norriton and West Norriton Townships in Montgomery County. This court handles preliminary arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings for criminal charges, summary offense trials, traffic citations, and civil disputes — and the decisions made here can have lasting effects on your case.
MDJ 38-1-02 Jenkintown / Cheltenham Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-02 serves Jenkintown Borough and Cheltenham Township in Montgomery County. This court handles the earliest stages of criminal proceedings, including arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations.
MDJ 38-1-03 Cheltenham / Elkins Park Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-03 covers Cheltenham Township and the Elkins Park area of Montgomery County. This court oversees arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense matters before cases advance to the Court of Common Pleas.
MDJ 38-1-05 Abington Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-05 serves Abington Township in Montgomery County. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail determinations, summary offense trials, and traffic citations. It determines whether the Commonwealth has enough evidence to proceed — making early legal representation critical.
MDJ 38-1-06 Lower Merion / Narberth Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-06 serves Lower Merion Township and Narberth Borough in Montgomery County. This court handles the initial stages of criminal proceedings, including preliminary hearings, arraignments, bail settings, and summary offense trials for the Lower Merion and Narberth areas.
MDJ 38-1-07 Lower Merion / Ardmore Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-07 covers the Ardmore area of Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County. This court handles criminal preliminary hearings, arraignments, bail settings, summary offense trials, traffic citations, and civil disputes under $12,000.
MDJ 38-1-08 Springfield / Oreland Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-08 serves Springfield Township and the Oreland area of Montgomery County. This court oversees arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, summary offense trials, and civil disputes — and the decisions made here can significantly shape the outcome of your case.
MDJ 38-1-09 King of Prussia / Upper Merion Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-09 serves King of Prussia and Upper Merion Township in Montgomery County. This court handles the initial stages of criminal proceedings, including preliminary hearings, arraignments, bail settings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations for the King of Prussia area.
MDJ 38-1-11 Upper / West Pottsgrove Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-11 serves Upper Pottsgrove and West Pottsgrove Townships in Montgomery County. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail determinations, summary offense trials, traffic citations, and civil disputes for the Pottsgrove area.
MDJ 38-1-12 Pottstown / Lower Pottsgrove Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-12 serves Pottstown Borough and Lower Pottsgrove Township in Montgomery County. This court handles the initial stages of criminal proceedings, including preliminary hearings, arraignments, bail settings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations for the Pottstown area.
MDJ 38-1-13 Conshohocken Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-13 serves Conshohocken Borough and surrounding areas in Montgomery County. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail determinations, summary offense trials, traffic citations, and civil disputes for the Conshohocken area.
MDJ 38-1-14 Hatboro / Horsham / Upper Moreland Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-14 serves Hatboro Borough, Horsham Township, and Upper Moreland Township in Montgomery County. This court handles the initial stages of criminal proceedings, including preliminary hearings, arraignments, bail settings, and summary offense trials.
MDJ 38-1-15 Norristown Court (DeKalb St. Suite 300)
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-15 is located in Norristown on DeKalb Street and handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail settings, and summary offense trials for Norristown Borough and surrounding areas of Montgomery County.
MDJ 38-1-16 Norristown Court (DeKalb St.)
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-16 is located in Norristown on DeKalb Street and handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail settings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations for Norristown Borough and surrounding areas of Montgomery County.
MDJ 38-1-18 Hatfield / Montgomery Township Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-18 serves Hatfield Township, Hatfield Borough, and Montgomery Township in Montgomery County. This court handles the initial stages of criminal proceedings, including preliminary hearings, arraignments, bail settings, and summary offense trials.
MDJ 38-1-19 Limerick / Royersford / Upper Providence Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-19 handles criminal, traffic, and summary cases from Limerick Township, Royersford Borough, and Upper Providence Township in Montgomery County. This court oversees arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense matters.
MDJ 38-1-20 Collegeville / Lower Providence Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-20, located in Collegeville, oversees criminal, summary, and traffic matters originating from Collegeville Borough and Lower Providence Township in Montgomery County. This court handles arraignments, bail hearings, and preliminary hearings.
MDJ 38-1-21 Blue Bell / North Wales / Gwynedd Townships
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-21 handles cases from Blue Bell, North Wales, Lower Gwynedd, Upper Gwynedd, and Whitpain Township in Montgomery County. This court oversees arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense trials for these communities.
MDJ 38-1-22 Horsham Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-22, presided over by Hon. Harry J. Nesbitt III, is located in Horsham Township and handles a variety of criminal, summary, and traffic matters. This busy court oversees arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense trials for the Horsham area.
MDJ 38-1-23 Whitemarsh / Conshohocken Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-23, located in Lafayette Hill, handles criminal, summary, and traffic matters arising from Whitemarsh Township and Conshohocken Borough in Montgomery County. This court oversees arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense trials.
MDJ 38-1-24 Schwenksville / Lower Salford / Perkiomen / Worcester Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-24 handles criminal, summary, and traffic cases originating from Schwenksville, Lower Salford, Perkiomen, and Worcester Townships in Montgomery County. This court oversees arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense trials.
MDJ 38-1-25 Bridgeport / Upper Merion Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-25, located in Bridgeport, handles criminal, summary, and traffic cases arising from Bridgeport Borough and Upper Merion Township in Montgomery County. This court oversees arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense trials.
MDJ 38-1-28 Lansdale / Towamencin Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-1-28, located in Lansdale, handles criminal, traffic, and summary matters arising within Lansdale Borough and Towamencin Township in Montgomery County. This court oversees arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense trials.
MDJ 38-2-02 Marlborough / Upper Hanover / Salford Area Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-2-02, located in Red Hill, serves some of the most northern and rural communities in Montgomery County, including Marlborough, Upper Hanover, and Salford Townships. This court handles arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense trials.
MDJ 38-2-03 Douglass / Lower Frederick / New Hanover Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-2-03 in Gilbertsville handles criminal, summary, and traffic matters from Douglass Township, Lower Frederick Township, and New Hanover Township in Montgomery County. This court oversees arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, and summary offense trials.
MDJ 38-2-04 Bala / Lower Merion Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-2-04, located in Narberth, serves Bala Cynwyd and portions of Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County. This court handles criminal arraignments, preliminary hearings, bail settings, summary offense trials, traffic citations, and civil disputes.
MDJ 38-2-08 Bryn Athyn / Lower Moreland / Upper Moreland Court
Magisterial District Court MDJ 38-2-08, located in Willow Grove, covers Bryn Athyn Borough, Lower Moreland Township, and Upper Moreland Township in Montgomery County. This court handles arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary hearings, summary offense trials, and traffic citations.
Facing charges in Montgomery County? Attorney William A. Weiss represents clients at all district courts throughout the county.
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