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Contacting Courts and Departments

Thank you for visiting the Philadelphia Courts - First Judicial District of Pennsylvania website. To help to ensure that your comment or question gets to the right place as quickly as possible, we have provided email, phone and other links to resources related to commonly asked questions. Please select a Court or Department from the list.

Court Reporter and Interpreter Services

Trial Transcripts, Court Reporters, Interpreters, Digital Recording Services

Domestic Relations Customer Service Center

Child and Spousal Support, Divorce, Child Custody, and Domestic Violence

Jury Selection Commission

For Questions regarding Jury Duty

Juvenile Court

The Juvenile Branch of the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of the First Judicial District processes cases involving juvenile delinquency where minors have been accused of crimes; dependency cases, arising from allegations of neglect or abuse; truancy petitions and those alleging incorrigibility; and adoptions.

Municipal Court - Civil

The Municipal Court Civil Division is the jurisdiction for civil cases where the amount in controversy is $12,000 or less for Small Claims; unlimited dollar amount for Landlord and Tenant Cases and $15,000 in real estate and school tax cases.

Municipal Court - Criminal

The Municipal Court Criminal Division is the court for trials of misdemeanor cases and felony case preliminary hearings. All the arrests made in Philadelphia County must at least initially be processed through Municipal Court. In criminal cases, this is the beginning of the court's involvement even if final disposition is not reached there. Many felony cases are eventually tried in Common Pleas Court following their preliminary hearings in Municipal Court.

Municipal Court - Traffic

The Traffic Division of the Municipal Court adjudicates violations of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code arising in the City of Philadelphia. Please note that the Traffic Division does not handle parking violations. All inquiries concerning parking violations should be directed to the Parking Authority at (215) 561-3636.

Office of Court Compliance

The Court established the Office of Court Compliance, to lead the charge in the collection of outstanding court mandated fees, fines, court costs and restitution.

Office of Human Resources

The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Office of Human Resources serves the District through the management of positions; policy review, maintenance, and the enforcement; testing; training; and administration of employee compensation and benefits for the entire FJD personnel compliment.

Office of Judicial Records - Civil

The Office of Judicial Records (formerly Office of the Prothonotary) is considered the clerk who keeps records and the Great Seal of the Commonwealth, issues process, enters judgment, and certifies the record.

Office of Judicial Records - Criminal

For questions regarding Bail, Bench Warrants, Expungements, Private Detective License, Court fines, Costs and Restitution

Orphans' Court Division

The Court's jurisdiction extends to minors, incapacitated persons, decedents, trusts, principals and agents under powers of attorney, non-profit charitable organizations, cemetery companies, birth records and marriage licenses.

Procurement Department

Contact the Procurement Department for answers on our bid policy and procedures

Trial Division - Civil

The Civil Section has jurisdiction over actions at law and equity along with appeals from Municipal Court and certain administrative agencies and boards. The Trial Division Civil Section has jurisdiction over civil claims involving amounts in excess of $10,000. The variety of civil actions that may be brought in the Trial Division Civil Section includes Negligence, Contract and Equity Action.

Trial Division - Criminal

The Criminal Section has jurisdiction over all felony cases and appeals from Municipal Court for a trial de novo (new trial) including a right to a trial by jury. Among the types of cases that fall within the assignments of the Trial Division Criminal Section are homicide cases, capital PCRA cases and felony cases.

E-Mail Disclaimer

The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania reserves the right at its sole discretion to disregard and delete inappropriate, offensive or case specific e-mail communications. You are invited to contact us subject to accepting this policy.

Contact

Business Hours

  • Monday-Friday: 8am to 5pm
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

The First Judicial District (FJD) of Pennsylvania is composed of two courts which make up the Philadelphia County Court System: the Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court.

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 City Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 Phone: 215-686-7000
 Website: www.philacourts.us
 Email: Contact Us

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