What is a Magisterial District Judge?

There are 30 Magisterial District Judges in Montgomery County, each responsible for specific townships and boroughs. Springfield Township has its own Magisterial District. The Magisterial District Judge sits a small courthouse in Oreland, near the Oreland Market.

The Magisterial District Court is the starting point for all matters before our criminal justice system, from murder cases to traffic tickets. The Magisterial District Judge has a tremendous impact on both criminal investigations in the Township and on the scope of any subsequent prosecution.

• Issuing search warrants - If the police want to search someone's property, they must have the permission of the Magisterial District Judge. Pennsylvania has strict standards for when a search warrant is necessary and for the analysis the Magisterial District Judge must follow when deciding whether or not approve a search warrant.


• Charging someone with a crime - If the police wish to charge an individual with a crime, the charges must be approved by the Magisterial District Judge, who must ensure that the police have properly charged each element of each crime.


• Setting Bail - Once charges are issued against someone and they are arrested, the Magisterial District Judge sets the bail for that person at the preliminary arraignment. The bail is the amount of money the person must pay to be released from prison before his or her trial. Nothing is more important than a citizen's liberty, and thus the Magisterial District Judge must carefully weigh several factors when setting bail.


• Going to trial - Once an individual is charged with a crime and bail is set, the Magisterial District Judge conducts a hearing to determine whether or not the prosecution has enough evidence to proceed with a formal trail. At this hearing, the defendant is represented by an attorney, witnesses are questioned and cross-examined, evidence is presented, and legal arguments are made. The Magisterial District Judge conducts this hearing and makes a ruling immediately after the hearing.


• Conducting Trials - for lesser criminal offenses, like shoplifting or disorderly conduct, the Magisterial District Judge conducts a full criminal trial determine guilt or innocence.

The Magisterial District Judge also conducts trials for civil cases. The jurisdiction limit of the Magisterial District Court has just been increased to $12,000, which means more civil cases will be filed at this level.

Lastly, the Magisterial District Court has jurisdiction over traffic tickets. The Magisterial District Court in Springfield Township has jurisdiction not only of the roads and highways in Springfield Township, but also large sections of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other major highways outside of Springfield Township.

The range of diverse and often complicated issues before this court requires a skilled legal professional to serve as Magisterial District Judge. As a former U.S. Army prosecutor and a civilian attorney with a broad and deep range of experience in nearly every legal area I have tried every case imaginable in Magisterial District Courts throughout the area, many in the Magisterial District Court here in Springfield Township. I have the legal experience, proven track record and history of service to our community needed to serve as your Magisterial District Judge.