Montgomery County 38-1-14 Magisterial District Court
Getting a summons to appear in a Montgomery County Magisterial District Court can invoke anxiety and confusion. You don’t know what’s going to happen. You may be confused as to the entire proceeding. That’s one reason why you need an experienced criminal defense attorney at your side.
The Law Offices of Amato Sanita has represented hundreds of clients in Montgomery County Magisterial District Court. We offer guidance and answer questions for all of our clients, no matter why they’ve been summoned to court. Our goal is to provide caring counsel and a solid defense.
The summons you received likely told you to appear at Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-14 in Hatboro on a certain date and time. If that’s the situation, you will appear before Magisterial District Judge Paul N. Leo. The summons could be for a traffic citation, bench warrant, preliminary arraignment, preliminary hearing, or non-jury trial.
You will find the Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-14 in Hatboro, which is in the southeastern part of the county. This Magisterial District Court covers the election districts in Hatboro Borough, Horsham Township’s Voting Districts 3-3 and 3-4, and Upper Moreland Township’s Voting Districts 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 5-1, 5-2, 7-1 and 7-2.
The Magisterial District Court located in Hatboro is a minor court in the Pennsylvania court system. This court decides traffic and non-traffic citations, landlord/tenant disputes, and civil cases for damages of $12,000 or less. This court is also the place for preliminary arraignments and hearings on criminal charges.
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Magisterial District Court
A summary offense is the least serious offense level in Pennsylvania. The Magisterial District Courts decide all summary offense cases. These cases can include disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, harassment, underage drinking, first offense retail theft under $150, and driving on a suspended license.
Magisterial judges decide all matters in a Magisterial District Court. The judge also performs marriages and administers oaths.
Montgomery County has a total of 30 Magisterial District Courts in its borders. All criminal charges start in these courts. This court handles preliminary arraignments and hearings for both misdemeanor and felony criminal cases. If the case needs to go further, they move to the next level which is the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.
It’s a mistake to enter a Magisterial District Court without an experienced criminal defense attorney at your side. The attorney will review the case and bring forward the best defense options for your situation.
Why It’s Important to Have an Attorney With You in a Hatboro Courtroom
The consequences of a summary offense conviction are serious. You could go to jail for up to 90 days on a first conviction. For a second one, it could be 180 days in jail. Fines can go up to $300 for each offense.
It may be tempting to plead guilty and try to get things behind you. That decision could have long-term consequences for your future. Being convicted could get you sent to jail. You could lose your job. You could lose your home. When you get out of jail, you may find getting a new job isn’t easy with a criminal record. Landlords also frown upon renting to someone with a criminal record.
These serious consequences are why you need an experienced attorney when you walk into that Hatboro courtroom. Your attorney knows how things work in a Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court. The lawyer can give you solid advice and, in some situations, get the charges lessened or dismissed.
Take underage drinking as an example. The attorney will review the case and see what the best defense could be. If the drink wasn’t alcoholic, your attorney could gather evidence or bring forward witnesses.
No matter the charges you face, hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to help. Call The Law Offices of Amato Sanita today. We are here to answer your questions, help you prepare your defense, and represent you in court.
