When you have been charged with a summary criminal offense, a traffic violation, or even a municipal code violation, you will probably be summoned to appear in your local district court, even if you were not arrested and only issued a citation. The district courts in Pennsylvania, which are also referred to as magisterial courts, are the first courts in the state to handle these types of offenses, meaning that they stay very busy throughout the year. Additionally, Pennsylvania district courts also handle landlord tenant disputes and small claims (for under $12,000).
The district court that you will be summoned to will depend on what county, neighborhood, and voting district you reside in. There are often numerous district courts in each county, so read your notice carefully to determine where you need to go for your court date.
Hatboro District Court
In Hatboro, the district court is 38-1-14 and is located at 420 South York Road, Condo C-F. This particular district court serves the following areas: Hatboro Borough, Horsham Township (voting districts 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, and 3-5), and Upper Moreland Township (voting districts 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 5-1, 5-2, 7-1, and 7-2). The phone number for the court is 215-957-5935, and the fax number is 215-957-5937. The court is presided over by the Honorable Judge Paul N. Leo.
If you have been summoned or notified to appear in Hatboro District Court, it is likely because you have been charged with or received a citation for one of the following offenses: loitering, harassment, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, disorderly conduct, underage drinking, driving with a suspended license, speeding, or running a red light or stop sign. These are considered traffic violations or summary criminal offenses in Pennsylvania.
At this stage, you will likely have to appear in Hatboro District Court for a traffic hearing, a preliminary criminal hearing or an arraignment, or a non-jury trial where Judge Leo will determine the conviction and sentence. All of these proceedings will have an effect on what sentence or penalty you ultimately receive if you are convicted. And while the offenses handled in district court may seem relatively minor, they can still come with severe penalties that can place a burden on you and your family, such as an expensive fine or even time in prison. The best way to ensure that you are not slapped with a serious penalty is to prepare a strong defense to present to Judge Leo, so that he will consider reducing your sentence or penalty, or even dismissing the charges against you entirely.
Contact An Experienced Lawyer
If you are unsure about how to proceed with preparing your defense, call our offices right away so that you will have plenty of time prior to your court date to prepare. Our attorneys have worked with hundreds of people like you to prepare for their district court hearings, and we will be able to guide you through the process and provide you with the best legal representation available. A strong defense, prepared by an experienced attorney, will ensure that you are taken seriously in court. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us as soon as possible.