Lancaster County Magisterial Courts
When you are arrested in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, your case is first assigned to a lower court called a Magisterial Court/Judge. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania has 19 MDJ Courts.
The Magisterial District Courts in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania are responsible for deciding all traffic and non-traffic citations (disorderly conduct, harassment, underage drinking, nuisance). Lancaster 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 Lancaster County, PA may be appealed to the Lancaster 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 Lancaster County Magisterial Court, you may view your case’s docket here.
The 19 MDJ courts are located in the following areas of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania:
Columbia
Elizabethtown
- Judge Randy L. Miller MDJ 02-3-09, Upper Mount Joy Township, Lower Mount Joy Township, Elizabethtown Borough, West Donegal Township, Conoy Township, and Elizabethtown College
Ephrata
- Judge Tony S. Russell MDJ 02-2-07, Clay Township, Ephrata Township, Ephrata Borough, and Akron Borough
Intercourse
- Judge Raymond S. Sheller MDJ 02-3-05, Leacock Township, Paradise Township, Bart Township, Sadsbury Township, Christiana Borough, Salisbury Township, and Caernarvon Township
Lancaster
- Judge Brian E. Chudzik, MDJ 02-2-05, East Hempfield and East Petersburg Borough
- Judge Denise Commins MDJ 02-3-02, Upper Leacock Township and East Lampeter Township
- Judge Andrew T. Lefever MDJ 02-2-04, Lancaster City
- Judge David P. Miller MDJ 02-1-02, Manheim Township
- Judge Jodie Richardson MDJ 02-2-01, Lancaster City
- Judge Bruce A. Roth MDJ 02-2-02, Lancaster City
- Judge Mary Mongiovi Sponaugle MDJ 02-2-03, Lancaster Township
- Judge Adam J. Witkonis MDJ 02-1-01, Lancaster City
Lititz
- Judge Edward A. Tobin MDJ 02-2-08, Lititz Borough, Warwick Township, Penn Township, and Elizabeth Township
Millersville
- Judge Joshua R. Keller MDJ 02-2-06, Manor Township, Conestoga Township, Millersville Borough, and Millersville University
Mount Joy
New Holland
- Judge Jonathan Heisse MDJ 02-3-06, Earl Township, West Earl Township, East Earl Township, New Holland Borough, and Terre Hill Borough
Quarryville
- Judge Stuart J. Mylin MDJ 02-3-04, Eden Township, Quarryville Borough, Martic Township, Providence Township, Colerain Township, East Drumore Township, Drumore Township, Little Britain Township, and Fulton Township
Stevens
- Judge Nancy G. Hamill MDJ 02-3-07, East Cocalico Township, West Cocalico Township, Denver Borough, and Adamstown Borough
Willow Street
Shane Weaver Law has represented clients in cases at every level of Lancaster County’s criminal justice system including all 19 Lancaster 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.