How the courts operate

Court resources

Types of cases: Civil vs. Criminal 

Civil matters include every type of legal 
action except criminal actions - usually 
involving private disputes.
•	 Examples	include:

-	 personal	injuries

-	 contract	and	custody	disputes

-	 adoptions.

The Commonwealth brings criminal 
charges against an individual for a 
violation of criminal law.
•	 Defendants	can	be	charged	with		

felony	(most	severe	penalties),	

misdemeanor	and	summary		

offenses	(lesser	penalties).	

The role of a Jury

•	 In	criminal	cases,	a	jury	decides	whether	

a	defendant	is	guilty	or	not	guilty,	whereas	

in	civil	cases,	the	jury	decides	whether	a	

defendant	is	liable	or	not	liable.

•	 Juries	are	primarily	available	in	Common	

Pleas	Courts.	There	are	no	juries	in	Supreme,	

Superior	and	Magisterial	District	Courts,		

and	rarely	in	Commonwealth	Court.	

•	 Even	when	a	jury	is	permitted,	both	sides	in	a	

case	can	agree	to	have	the	case	tried	before	

a	judge	instead.	

Modern	times	and	technology,	coupled	with	a	steadfast	
commitment	to	protecting	the	Commonwealth’s	most	
vulnerable	populations,	have	expanded	accessibility	to	
Pennsylvania’s	courts.	

Visit	pacourts.us	to	learn	how	PA	Courts:

•	 Provide	justice	for	Pennsylvania’s	elders	
•	 Facilitate	language	access	
•	 Recruit	and	certify	court	interpreters	
•	 Protect	children	and	families	under	court	supervision	
•	 Educate	jurists.	

Need Legal Help?
PA	Legal	Aid	Network:	palegalaid.net

PA	Bar	Association	Lawyer	Referral	Service:		
(800)	629-7375

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and	fees.

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The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) is 
the administrative arm of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court 
and executes the Court’s policy and management directives 
to all courts on a statewide level. 

W W W . P A C O U R T S . U S

12/2022

W W W . P A C O U R T S . U S

More than 300 years ago, the 
Pennsylvania Constitution set up 
our state government in three 
separate branches:  executive, 
legislative and JUDICIAL.
JUDICIAL

Think	of	Pennsylvania’s	judicial	branch	as	a	pyramid.		

At the base are Magisterial 
District Courts and Philadelphia 
Municipal Court. 

1.

•	 These	courts	handle	preliminary	arraignments	

and	hearings,	set	bail,	issue	arrest	and	search	

warrants	and	issue	emergency	protection	from	

abuse	orders.

•	 Examples	of	cases	include:	traffic	tickets,	

landlord-tenant	disputes	and	underage	drinking.

The next level is the trial level,  
called the Court of Common Pleas. 

2.

•	 These	courts	hear	criminal	and	civil	

cases,	including	those	involving	families	

and	children,	such	as	divorce,	property	

division,	alimony,	child	custody	and	support,	

paternity	and	protection	orders.	

•	 They	also	hear	appeals	from	the		

lower-level courts.

Additionally	at	this	level	are	problem-solving 

courts,	which	offer	rehabilitation	programs	for	

defendants	struggling	with	behavioral	problems,	

like	drug	addiction	and	severe		

mental	illness.	

Pennsylvania has two intermediate appellate courts: Superior and Commonwealth. 
Both determine if errors were made in cases heard at the trial court level. 

The Superior Court is the 
appeals court for most citizens 
and businesses.  

3.

The Commonwealth Court  
hears civil cases involving  
state or local government. 

4.

•	 It	is	one	of	the	busiest	intermediate	

•	 It	is	the	only	court	like	it	in	the	country.	

appellate	courts	in	the	country.

•	 It	not	only	hears	appeals,	but	

•	 This	Court’s	decisions	have	a	significant	

sometimes	sits	as	a	trial	court	in	

impact	on	Pennsylvania’s	economy	and	

certain	cases	brought	by	or	against	the	

the	quality	of	life	of	our	citizens.		

Commonwealth,	such	as	a	constitutional	

challenge	to	a	state	law	or	a	tax	dispute.

At the top of the pyramid is the 
Supreme Court, the highest 
court in the Commonwealth 
and the oldest appellate court 
in the nation.

5.

•	 Seven	justices	serve	on	the	Court	and	

their	job	is	to	make	the	final	judgment	

in	interpreting	Pennsylvania’s	laws	and	

Constitution.	

•	 The	Court	has	administrative authority 

over all aspects of Pennsylvania’s 

judicial system.		

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