Montgomery County 38-1-10 Magisterial District Court

Running a red light, driving on a suspended license, shoplifting clothes — no matter what your alleged offense is, you are likely anxious after receiving a summons to appear in Montgomery County Magisterial District Court. You may even be confused about how things are going to proceed.

You need to talk with an experienced defense attorney before you appear in court. Your lawyer can answer any questions you have, help you mount a tenacious defense, and represent you in the courtroom. The Law Offices of Amato Sanita has stood by hundreds of clients in Pennsylvania’s Magisterial Courts. Let us stand by your side.

The summons tells you to appear in Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-10 in Ambler. When you go to court, you will appear before Magisterial District Judge Patricia Zaffarano. The judge presides over traffic citations, preliminary arraignments, preliminary hearings, bench warrants, and non-jury trials in this court.

Magisterial District Court 38-1-10 is in the town Ambler, located about 16 miles north of Central Philadelphia. This court covers the election districts within Ambler Borough and Upper Dublin Township.

The Magisterial District Court is a minor court authorized to hear and decide traffic and non-traffic citations, landlord/tenant disputes, and civil cases with damage claims up to $12,000. The court also hears preliminary arraignments and preliminary hearings in criminal cases.

Magisterial District Courts in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Summary offenses are decided by Montgomery County Magisterial District Courts. A summary offense is the least serious offense covered by the Pennsylvania criminal code. These offenses can include charges such as criminal mischief, driving with a suspended license, underage drinking, harassment, disorderly conduct, and first offense retail theft for items under $150, better known as shoplifting.

The Magisterial District Courts in Pennsylvania have magisterial judges authorized to administer oaths and perform marriages.

Montgomery County is home to 30 Magisterial District Courts scattered in its borders. When criminal charges are brought against anyone, the proceedings start in these courts. The judge hears preliminary arraignments and preliminary hearings in both misdemeanor and felony cases. After these preliminary proceedings, the cases move on to the next court level which is the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.

An experienced defense attorney should be at your side when facing traffic or criminal offense charges in Montgomery County. Depending on the unique details of your case, the attorney will be able to help you with multiple defense strategies.

Summary offenses are serious charges. They can cause major problems for you or your loved one. You could be facing up to 90 days in jail on your first conviction and up to 180 days on your second one. You could also be ordered to pay fines of up to $300.

Why You Need An Experienced Defense Attorney At Your Side In An Ambler Courtroom

You are ready to be done with everything. You’re thinking that pleading guilty is the easiest way to settle things. Or, you might be thinking that you could represent yourself in court. Both of those decisions could hurt your future.

Pleading guilty could land you in jail. What could happen? You might lose your job. You might not be able to pay rent. Your family could struggle while you are behind bars. You may have trouble finding a job or a new place to live after you get out of jail. That’s why you need to think carefully and get good legal advice.

A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can walk you through every step of the process. Your lawyer can give you sound legal counsel, represent you in court, and answer any questions you have. You need an attorney very familiar with the Pennsylvania Magisterial District Courts. In some cases, your lawyer can get the charges lessened or even dismissed.

Don’t gamble with your future. Call The Law Offices of Amato Sanita today. We stand ready to provide legal counsel and support through the legal process.