Berks County Magisterial Courts
When you are arrested in Berks County, Pennsylvania, your case is first assigned to a lower court called a Magisterial Court/Judge. Berks County, Pennsylvania has 17 MDJ Courts.
The Magisterial District Courts in Berks County, Pennsylvania are responsible for deciding all traffic and non-traffic citations (disorderly conduct, harassment, underage drinking, nuisance). Berks County Magisterial District Courts handle Bail, Arraignments, and Preliminary hearings for criminal cases, landlord/tenant disputes, and civil cases with damage claims up to $12,000. All decisions of Magisterial Courts in Berks County, PA may be appealed to the Berks County Court of Common Pleas.
It may be tempting to plead guilty to a summary or traffic offense so you can put the whole experience behind you. You may believe you can handle your court case yourself. However, the outcome of your case will be critically important to your future.
Not only can you land in jail, which will disrupt your life and can even cost you your job, but you may also be burdened with a criminal record that will have far-reaching implications for you. If you do not understand the full extent of certain traffic violations, you may unexpectedly end up with a suspended driver’s license. Lastly, you may be burdened with overwhelming fines and court fees. It is important to retain an experienced criminal defense and traffic attorney who can defend you against a summary or traffic offense. A lawyer who knows his way around a Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court will give you sound advice and, depending on the circumstances, get the charges or ticket lessened or even dismissed.
If you have a case listed in a Berks County Magisterial Court, you may view your case’s docket here.
The 17 Berks courts are located in the following areas of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania:
Bernville
- Judge Andrea J. Book MDJ 23-3-07, Borough of Bernville, Township of Bethel, Township of Jefferson, Township of Marion, Township of North Heidelberg, Township of Penn, Township of Tulpehocken, Township of Upper Bern, Township of Upper Tulpehocken, and Borough of Womelsdorf
Birdsboro
- Judge David E. Glass MDJ 23-3-01, Borough of Birdsboro, Township of Brecknock, Township of Caernarvon, Borough of New Morgan, Township of Robeson, and Township of Union
Boyertown
- Judge Michael G. Hartman MDJ 23-3-02, Borough of Bally, Borough of Bechtelsville, Borough of Boyertown, Township of Colebrookdale, Township of Douglass, Township of Earl, Township of Hereford, and Township of Washington
Fleetwood
- Judge Gail M. Greth MDJ 23-3-04, Borough of Fleetwood, Borough of Kutztown, Borough of Lyons, Township of Maxatawny, Township of Richmond and Kutztown University
Hamburg
- Judge Kim L. Bagenstose MDJ 23-3-06, Township of Albany, Township of Greenwich, Borough of Hamburg, Borough of Lenhartsville, Township of Perry, Borough of Shoemakersville, Township of Tilden, and Township of Windsor
Leesport
- Judge Brian K. Strand MDJ 23-3-05, Township of Bern, Borough of Centerport, Township of Centre, Borough of Leesport, Township of Maidencreek, and Township of Ontelaunee
Mohnton
- Judge David L. Yoch MDJ 23-2-04, Township of Cumru, Borough of Kenhorst, Borough of Mohnton, Borough of Shillington
Oley
- Judge Steven M. Chieffo MDJ 23-3-03, Township of Alsace, Township of Amity, Township of District, Township of Longswamp, Township of Oley, Township of Pike, Township of Rockland, Township of Ruscombmanor, and Borough of Topton
Reading
- Judge Carissa L. Johnson MDJ 23-1-02, City of Reading
- Judge Kyley L. Scott MDJ 23-1-03, City of Reading
- Judge Alvin B. Johnson MDJ 23-1-05, City of Reading
- Judge Dean R. Patton MDJ 23-1-06, Borough of Laureldale and Township of Muhlenberg
- Judge Stuart D. Kennedy MDJ 23-2-01, City of Reading
- Judge Sandra L. Fegley MDJ 23-2-03, Township of Exeter, Township of Lower Alsace, Borough of Mount Penn, and Borough of Saint Lawrence
- Judge Tonya A. Butler MDJ 23-3-09, City of Reading
Wernersville
- Judge Ann L. Young MDJ 23-1-01, Township of Heidelberg, Township of Lower Heidelberg, Borough of Robesonia, Borough of Sinking Spring, Township of South Heidelberg, Township of Spring, Borough of Wernersville, and Borough of Adamstown
West Reading
Shane Weaver Law has represented clients in cases at every level of Berks County’s criminal justice system including all 17 Berks County, Pennsylvania Magisterial Courts. Shane Weaver Law thoroughly understands how each court works. No matter which court your case appears in, Shane Weaver Law will provide you with aggressive, experienced, and skilled defense.