The US District Court of Pennsylvania system comprises three geographical regions of the state - Eastern District, Middle District and Western District. These function to preside over federal cases. District Court Judges, who preside over the District Courts, serve a lifetime term once appointed and approved by the Senate, barring dismissal for inappropriate behavior, such as bribery, treason or other crimes and misdemeanors.

Online research can provide information pertaining to Pennsylvania District Court laws and regulations, such as:

1. United States District Court Pennsylvania rules on civil and criminal procedures

2. Mandatory filing of court documents via the Electronic Case Files System, unless directed by the court

3. Local rules for the district courts

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Refer to Pennsylvania District Court laws and regulations for civil and criminal cases

The US District Court of Pennsylvania follows federal rules for civil and criminal procedures. In terms of civil procedures, parties must follow guidelines regarding presentation of proof, service of pleadings, motions, and summons, depositions and discovery, trials by jury or court, judgment, final remedies and special proceedings. Criminal procedures fall under criminal law and codes enacted by a local jurisdiction or state and only become a federal crime when the activities in question cross state lines or have an effect on federal concerns at which time the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure are adhered.

I recommend: Cornell provides information on federal civil procedures and criminal procedures, such as preliminary proceedings, grand juries, arraignment, post conviction procedures and special proceedings that their district courts adhere to. These apply to all courts, including those in Pennsylvania.

File district court cases online using the Electronic Case Files System

Regulations state that individuals filing documents in bankruptcy, district and appellate courts must use the Electronic Case Files System unless they receive approval from the court to file in a traditional paper format. Advantages to the electronic filing system that the District Court of Eastern Pennsylvania uses include: individuals with Internet access may view court records 24 hours a day, view documents online immediately, receive email notification when activity occurs on a case of interest, and download or print documents. Training and information on necessary hardware and software requirements is available for attorneys and others who utilize the Electronic Case Files System.

I recommend: Review the features of the Electronic Case Files System and register for a training session to learn how to utilize the system to its fullest potential.

Review Pennsylvania District Court laws and regulations for local rules pertaining to the district

The Pennsylvania District Court has three branches or geographic regions - District Court Western Pennsylvania, District Court Eastern Pennsylvania and Middle District Court Pennsylvania, each of which have local rules. The Middle District Court local rules include those pertaining to Electronic Case Filing Policies and Procedures, noncompliance with standing orders and amendments to standing orders. The District Court of Eastern Pennsylvania has local rules addressing civil procedures such as Electronic Case Filing, amendments to civil rules, mediation protocol and local criminal, bankruptcy and admiralty rules.

I recommend: Familiarize yourself in regards to the PA District Court local rules by referencing websites such as the Middle District and Eastern District court.

A basic knowledge of the US Bankruptcy District Court of Pennsylvania can be beneficial if you ever have to file bankruptcy or find yourself a creditor when someone else does.

Whether you need to search for a bankruptcy filing on a debtor or determine if bankruptcy is an option for you or your company, the PA District Court can assist you with both. Three districts make up the Pennsylvania Bankruptcy court: the western, middle and eastern districts. When examining the Pennsylvania District Court, consider the following:

1. New requirements through the United States District Court Pennsylvania make it difficult for an individual to take advantage of bankruptcy as a means to get out of debt.

2. The Eastern District Court PA has two divisions, Philadelphia and Reading, while the District Court Western Pennsylvania has three divisions, Pittsburgh, Erie and Johnstown.

3. Each US District Court of Pennsylvania provides information on the basics for bankruptcy filing, contact information for trustees and bankruptcy attorneys and an online search of bankruptcy case records.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

File a bankruptcy or creditor claim with the Pennsylvania District Court

In order to file bankruptcy, you must meet specific eligibility requirements and follow rules of procedure. Talk to a bankruptcy attorney to make sure it's the right choice for you. Additionally, if you find that someone who owes you money files bankruptcy, it's important that you file a claim form in the case to make sure you're on the list of creditors. That is the only way you will receive funds if the debtor failed to list you as someone he owes money to, providing the trustee has funds to distribute. You should also attend the 341 creditors meeting to find out the details about the case.

I recommend: Visit the US Courts Federal Judiciary for information on bankruptcy basics, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies, the most frequently filed types. The US District Court Western PA provides answers to frequently asked questions on bankruptcy filing and documents to help get you started. The US Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania provides information on the locations and schedules for 341 creditor’s meetings.

Procure bankruptcy case forms from Pennsylvania District Courts

There are a large number of forms filed in a bankruptcy case. In fact, the US District Court Pennsylvania, along with all other states, provides access to an Internet filing system, which most bankruptcy attorneys use today. To file online, however, you need the appropriate Internet-friendly forms. You can access most of these on any of the District Court of Pennsylvania websites.

I recommend: Go to the website for the US Bankruptcy Court Western District of Pennsylvania to obtain both local and official bankruptcy forms. Download PDF files of each individual form, which are ready to fill out with your case information, save and file online, from the Middle District Court Pennsylvania.

Access case records from PA District Courts through CM/ECF

Public Access to Court Electronic Records, also known as PACER, is a case access system used nationwide. Each district bankruptcy court has its own PACER database called CM/ECF, or electronic case filing system. This allows bankruptcy courts to accept case document filings and provide access to those documents over the Internet. You must obtain a login and password through the CM/ECF system and any documents you access or print cost at least eight cents per page. When you set up your account, you also establish a billing system to pay for those downloads and any filing costs you incur.

I recommend: To access bankruptcy case records and file bankruptcy documents online, you must register for a Public Access to Court Electronic Records account. Sift through case records by clicking the CM/ECF login link on any of the Pennsylvania bankruptcy court sites, and accessing pages like the District Court Eastern Pennsylvania Document Filing System.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Regardless of how much knowledge you have of the District Court of Pennsylvania, you should hire an attorney who specializes in your specific type of case to represent you.

Pennsylvania District Court has many components. The PA district courts enforce a myriad of laws which range from criminal to civil and beyond. Because there are so many courts, and so many cases, staying up-to-date on the latest Pennsylvania District Court news and trends can seem like a full time job.

So before you rush out looking for information on the District Court of Western Pennsylvania, District Court of Eastern Pennsylvania or Pennsylvania Federal District Court, take a few moments to educate yourself on some of the best informational sources. It might take some time to familiarize yourself with these publications up front, but it will be well worth it in the long run.

1. Locate newspapers that cover Pennsylvania district court cases.

2. Visit the official websites for the district court of Pennsylvania.

3. Find law associations within the state of Pennsylvania that keep tabs on district news and trends.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find publications online or in newsprint that cover PA district court

When it comes to locating news associated with a district in Pennsylvania, it's best to find publications that specialize on the state as a whole. Then, the regional or district sections of those publications will keep you up-to-date on the latest news and trends coming from the bench of the Pennsylvania district courts.

I recommend: Check out publications with online websites such as Pennsylvania Law Weekly. This runs articles on a weekly basis about district court news and rulings. Another fantastic publication is The Legal Intelligencer. Promoting itself as the oldest law journal in the United States, it covers Pennsylvania law news, US district court of Pennsylvania cases and national law news as well.

Locate the news and information on the official website for the District Court of Pennsylvania

When it comes to locating the latest news and trends, federal and state district courts often have websites that release news on rulings from the bench. They also often update information on everything from judicial conferences to changes in court procedures when they occur. Remember that there are both federal and state district courts within Pennsylvania. Each of which will release different news briefings in relation to their operations.

I recommend: Visit the website for the Philadelphia Courts First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. On the left-hand side of their home page, they offer a section dedicated to news and announcements. The Eastern District of Pennsylvania US District Court has a website that updates news as well.

Seek out law associations within the state that publish news on PA district courts

Legal associations are a great way to locate news and trends on district courts within the state of Pennsylvania. There are large associations that cover the whole state, and smaller specialized associations that cover the eastern, western, and metropolitan areas of Pennsylvania. These publications are available online and sometimes in print form. Depending on the association, a fee may or may not be charged.

I recommend: Visit the website for the Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. They frequently update news online in regard to rulings, procedures and other news-worthy events taking place in the district courts. Also, the Pennsylvania Bar Association offers a comprehensive search engine that allows people to search district court news, events and trends.

There are three United States District Court districts in Pennsylvania - the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts. The Eastern District has courts in Philadelphia, Allentown, Easton and Reading. The Middle District has courts in Scranton, Harrisburg, Williamsport and Wilkes-Barre while the Western District has courts in Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Erie.

One primary function of the United States District Courts is to preside over federal cases. United States District Courts also function as a bankruptcy court overseeing Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings, and ensuring rights of the armed forces through the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves the liquidation of one's assets with profits distributed to creditors. Other options to Chapter 7 include filing for Chapter 11 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

I recommend: Refer to the U.S. Courts website for more information on Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows the reorganization or restructuring of debts that may involve terms such as no interest that the debtor must repay to the creditors within five years. Unlike Chapter 7 bankruptcy, no liquidation of assets occurs.

I recommend: For more details on Chapter 13 bankruptcy, refer to the Bankruptcy Home website.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act aims to provide service members and their families temporary relief of certain financial obligations when deployed. Types of obligations that fall under this Act include credit card debt, mortgage payments, taxes and protection from eviction for nonpayment of rent if monthly rent is less than $1200.

I recommend: Refer to Military.com for more information on the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

Case Management/Electronic Case Files

Case Management/Electronic Case Files is an electronic case filing system that allows attorneys to file court documents via the internet from their office or any other location with internet access. Benefits of electronic case filing include the ability to file document 24 hours a day, seven days a week, immediate access to updated docket entries and financial savings in courier and noticing costs.

I recommend: For more information on Case Management/Electronic Case Files, refer to the Western District website.

eJUROR

eJUROR allows individuals to complete their juror questionnaires online by entering their participant number, first three letters of their last name and date of birth. Jurors may also use this online application to check their reporting status.

I recommend: One can find more information on eJUROR by referencing the Middle District website.

Electronic courtroom

The Pennsylvania District Courts are equipping their courtrooms with technology designed to improve court processes. They call this the electronic courtroom. Technological upgrades that one may find in Pennsylvania District Courts include upgraded sound systems, devices for the hearing impaired, video and teleconferencing systems, evidence presentation stations and touch screen annotation.

I recommend: Refer to the Eastern District website to learn more about the courtroom technology they have to offer.