Montgomery County 38-1-28 Magisterial District Court
Appearing before a Montgomery County Magisterial District Court or having a family member who needs to appear before said court can be anxiety inducing. This is especially true if it’s your first time because you have no idea what awaits you.
There’s no reason for you to face this experience on your own. You should have an experienced attorney by your side who can help you to answer any questions that you have, provide you with the information that you need, and represent you if you are facing a traffic or criminal case. Amato Sanita Law Offices has caringly yet tenaciously defended numerous clients in Pennsylvania Magisterial Courts.
You may have received a summons for a traffic citation, preliminary hearing, non-jury trial, or bench warrant that requires you to appear in Montgomery Court Magisterial District Court 38–1–28. If this is the case, the judge who you will appear before is Magisterial District Judge Edward Levine.
The court you will appear in is located in Lansdale. This is approximately 28 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The election districts that this Magisterial District Court cover include:
• Lansdale Borough
• Hatfield Borough
• Hatfield Township (voting districts 2 – 1, 3 – 1, 3 – 2, 4 – 1, 4 – 4)
• Towamencin Township
The Magisterial District Court located in Lansdale is a minor court. It is responsible for handling traffic and non-traffic citations. Preliminary hearings for criminal cases and preliminary arraignments, civil cases that have damages that top out at $12,000, and landlord/tenant disputes are handled in this court.
Pennsylvania’s Montgomery County Magisterial District Courts
Summary offenses, the least serious criminal offense level in Pennsylvania, are handled in Montgomery County Magisterial District Courts. This would include:
• Retail theft of items under $150
• Criminal mischief
• Harassment
• Underage drinking
• Driving with a suspended license
• Disorderly conduct
The magisterial judges who preside over the 30 Magisterial District Courts in Pennsylvania can perform marriages and administer oaths. Criminal cases begin in these courts. If it is a felony case or a misdemeanor, the first step is the preliminary arraignment and the preliminary hearing. The next phase for misdemeanors and felony cases is the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.
Do not underestimate the value of having a criminal defense attorney by your side for seemingly minor offenses, such as summary offenses. If you or your loved one is convicted of the offense, you could be facing up to 90 days in prison and a $300 fine if this is your first offense. If there are prior convictions, you could be facing up to 180 days in jail.
Don’t Enter a Lansdale Courtroom without Legal Representation
When you are charged with a summary offense, you might think that having the assistance of a lawyer is overkill. It’s easy to think that by simply pleading guilty, you can put the whole situation behind you and move on with your life. You might even think that you have the skills to handle the case by yourself. Remember, the outcome of this case can have a long-term impact on your life.
Conviction could mean jail time, which will disrupt your life, meaning that you can’t go to your job. Conviction may also mean a criminal record that can haunt you for years to come.
Retaining an experienced criminal defense attorney, even when facing summary charges, may increase your chances of having a positive outcome. A lawyer who understands Pennsylvania’s legal system, who is familiar with the Magisterial District Court and its judges, and who has experience helping people in similar circumstances get their charges lessened or dismissed is a valuable asset to have.
As an example, if you are charged with underage drinking, your attorney will be able to examine all sides of the case. What if you were not actually drinking alcohol? Your attorney may be able to help bring in witnesses that can prove this.
