Pennsylvania Court Information, Location and Jurisdiction

In keeping with the general functions and legal duties of the judicial section of the government, the PA courts serve as the upholders of individual rights to ‘fair’ and timely justice.

A Pennsylvania court may be contacted for two reasons. You might wish to resolve any legal issue in an amicable manner with the help and services of the courts. Alternatively, you might be interested in gaining access to the court records in the state. You can also learn about the regulations of the PA court system.

How Can You Contact the Authorities of a Pennsylvania Court?

Thankfully, if you are looking to contact a Pennsylvania court, it can be done easily over the Web. The official court website in Pennsylvania is http://www.courts.state.pa.us/default.htm. If you want some specific information on the courts of Pennsylvania, or even wish to file a legal petition, this website can help you.

The futility of having a single court for the settlement of the enormous volume of cases was realized by the authorities, and thus there are different courts at different levels, and their jurisdiction also differs. You will need to know which one to approach if you are planning to request some legal opinion or intervention.

Pennsylvania Courts – The Hierarchy

In Pennsylvania, the judiciary clearly decrees for the presence of a large number of courts, which work under the supervisory control of the Supreme Court of the state. These lower courts can be named as follows:

•    The Superior Court
•    The Commonwealth Court
•    The Common Pleas Court (they are present in 60 districts)
•    The Special Courts

Pennsylvania Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest ranking court of Pennsylvania and has the authority to review and if required overturn the rulings of any lower court. The Prothonotary’s Office of the Supreme Court is located at Pennsylvania Judicial Center, 601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 4500, PO Box 62575, Harrisburg, PA 17106-2575.

There are 7 justices in the state Supreme Court and they each serve terms of 10 years and until the age of 70 years. There is a provision in which they can serve until the age of 78 on a ‘part-time’ basis. The person who has served continually for the longest time is automatically selected to become the Chief Justice.

It also happens to be the oldest court of appeals in Pennsylvania. This court enjoys the authority of appointing special legal committees too, as and when required.

Other Pennsylvania Courts

Just below the Supreme Court is the state Superior Court, which is an appellate court in Pennsylvania. Most cases come here from the Common Pleas Courts. There is just one Superior Court, unlike some other states of the country. Though it is housed in Harrisburg, the court sits at various locations in the state to hear cases.

Next is the Commonwealth Court, which is another appellate court in the state. It has the jurisdiction to hear state agency orders and those cases involving the public sector and government regulations. In a few civil actions, this court also works as a trial court.