PERSONAL LAW POLS 210 ASSIGNMENT #4 PENNSYLVANIA JUDICIAL SYSTEM SUPREME COURT: Has 7 justices that serve a 10 year

term, is the highest court in The commonwealth. Is the oldest appellate court in the nation dating back to 1684. Can take any case in PA. This court is an appeals court. Jurisdiction four main areas. : Original: (Jurisdiction is non-exclusive for areas such as habeas corpus, being denied liberty without due process; mandamus prohibited to courts of inferior jurisdiction; quo warrants, lawsuits challenging the individual rights to hold public office); Appellate ( Discretion of what cases to hear. Appeals for the Commonwealth courts and Common Plea Courts); Exclusive (Hears appeals for Legislative Reapportionment Commission, Courts of Judicial Discipline, Minor Judiciary Education Board, and the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court; Extraordinary; habeas corpus. COMMONWEALTH: Created by the constitution convention as a means to reduce work load of the Supreme Court. Has the original and the appellate jurisdiction and 9 judges. Actions brought against the government or officer of the government. Seeking equitable relief or judgment and not damages. The Appellate jurisdiction covering most state administrative agencies. Decisions concerning Liquor Boards, Transportation, Contracts, Eminent Domain Proceedings and Internal Affairs of Non-Profit corporations. SUPERIOR COURT: Has 15 judges, its main function is an appeal court, original jurisdiction. Jurisdiction include wiretapping, and Electronic Surveillance Control Act,

Because it is less specialized it hears a large variety of petitions, of both criminal and civil. Cases involve, child custody, armed robbery and breach of contracts. COMMON PLEA COURT: Has general trial, jurisdiction, has special courts and 60 judicial districts, each district has anywhere from 1 to 90 judges. Original jurisdiction over all cases. Hears appeals from state and local government agencies. Each district has a president judge to administer the procedures of the courts.

SPECIAL COURTS:

Has 549 districts, 25 municipal courts of record; minor level; civil

claims under 10.000. They fall under the, grass roots Courts. Also the Special Courts include, Philadelphia Municipal Court only court of record at the minor courts level. In Philadelphia Municipal Court judges must be attorneys. Philadelphia Traffic Court jurisdiction covers Motor Vehicle Code, and City Ordinances. And Pittsburgh Magistrates Court, has 6 police magistrates, all members of the bar. Pennsylvania members or nonselective, and appointed by the Pittsburghs mayor. Their terms are 4 years. Their duties include Warrants, arraignments, and preliminary hearings. The special courts of Pennsylvania hold no jury trail, and reaches decisions on its merits. District justice holds both preliminary arraignment and preliminary hearing, and determines if there is sufficient evidence to be tried in Common Pleas Court. The district justice also holds bail hearing and determines its security. MUNICIPAL COURT: Has 2 special courts, counts of record, minor level, and civil claims under 10.000. These courts are limited in jurisdiction.

Addresses: Pennsylvania Courts AOPC, Philadelphia 1515 Market Street, Suite 1414 Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-560-63 AOPC Harrisburg Pennsylvania, Judicial Center 601 Commonwealth Ave, Suit 1500 P.O. Box 61260 Harrisburg, PA 17106 717-231-3300