Attorneys have many reasons for keeping informed of Pennsylvania courts and judges news and trends. Attorneys need to keep track of appointments as judges die or retire in order to correctly file papers with the court. Courts may change their procedures and administrative rules, which can affect the way that attorneys do their jobs. Attorneys also may want to know a judge’s legal education and background, as it may affect how a judge comes to a decision.

Anyone who wishes to stay current on news related to a PA court should identify key legal websites in Pennsylvania and check them periodically for updates. The best sources of information on news and trends on Pennsylvania courts and judges include the following:

1. Independent news sources on Pennsylvania judges, such as blogs, newspapers and magazines. These sources are the most likely to provide unbiased opinions or news about a court or judge.
2. Court websites. These sites are the best source of official news and trends, such as current appointments and court decisions.
3. Organizations for legal professionals. Meetings of these organizations provide opportunities to get inside news information on courts and judges.
   

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Study sources of unbiased news and trends on courts and judges in PA

Journalists frequently report on news and events that affect the Pennsylvania judiciary in online newspapers and magazines. Attorneys and law professors also may provide opinions on recent court decisions in blogs and journals.

I recommend: The Pennsylvania Litigation Blog provides commentary on current court cases and ruling trends in Pennsylvania. Dan Siegel's Pennsylvania Law Blog offers commentary and opinions on legal news and court decisions in Pennsylvania.

Review websites of courts and judges for Pennsylvania to get official news and other information

Pennsylvania courts and judges websites are the best places to get current news about judges for a particular court, as well as information about upcoming appointments and retirements. A Pennsylvania court also may publish important court decisions and opinions on the official website, which can help attorneys stay informed of the latest ruling trends.

I recommend: The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides recent updates on official news and information for Pennsylvania courts. The U.S. District Court Western District Pennsylvania provides extensive official legal information, including recent news and proposed amendments regarding a PA district court.

Join professional legal organizations to get inside news on courts and judges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania bar and attorney organizations hold meetings to evaluate and discuss legal news and trends. These meetings also provide an opportunity to hear from attorneys who actually have tried cases before a particular Pennsylvania court or judge.

I recommend: The Pennsylvania Bar Association hold regular meetings to discuss news on Pennsylvania courts and judges, and includes information on judicial ratings. The York County Bar Association has many activities that allow member attorneys to exchange information and learn recent news about courts and judges in Pennsylvania.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There also are online forums dedicated to news and trends on PA court records. These forums may have a separate directory for each court and typically invite readers to discuss and evaluate news on courts and judges based on personal experience. The evaluation methods may consist of surveys, polls and votes that include reader comments.

A basic knowledge of Pennsylvania courts and judges can be very beneficial if you ever find yourself compelled to appear in a Pennsylvania court house. All too often individuals and businesses find the need to file a lawsuit, or are at the receiving end of a lawsuit, and their lack of knowledge on how the court system works leaves them lost in the proceedings. Regardless of the circumstances that put you there, it doesn’t hurt to understand the Pennsylvania state courts process and know a little about the individual overseeing your case.

It’s important to understand that there are multiple courts in Pennylvania that oversee different types of cases. Each of these courts have judges that administer the law and case process. When considering Pennsylvania courts and Pennsylvania judges, keep the following in mind:

1. Four levels make up the Pennsylvania court system: Special Courts, Court of Common Pleas, Superior and Commonwealth Court and the Supreme Court.

2. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court only hears appellate cases and has its own appointed judges in Pennsylvania.

3. Bankruptcy information and case filings are also accessible through PA court records.

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Understand the system for Pennsylvania courts and judges

The bottom level of the Pennsylvania court system are the Special Courts, which handle all traffic and parking violations, bail issues and minor criminal and civil cases. There are three specific areas of the Special Courts: the Magisterial District Judges in PA, municipal courts and traffic courts. Next are the Courts of Common Pleas, located in each Pennsylvania county. These Pennsylvania courts handle major criminal and civil cases, family law and the appeals of Special Courts' decisions. Each county Court of Common Pleas has local rules that must apply to any case in addition to state and federal laws.

I recommend: Access local rules for PA court of Common Pleas by county on Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System. Search Pennsylvania court case records on Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System – Web Docket Sheets page.

File an appeal with the Supreme and Appellate courts in Pennsylvania

The next tear of the Pennsylvania court system are the Superior Court and Court of the Commonwealth. The Superior Court handles criminal cases and appellate cases on decisions made by the Court of Common Pleas. The Court of the Commonwealth only hears civil cases and appellate cases that involve the Commonwealth as a party in the case. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court only hears appellate cases, regarding either Superior Court or Court of the Commonwealth decisions, or appeals directly filed with the state Supreme Court.

I recommend: Visit the Superior Court of Pennsylvania website for a directory of Pennsylvania judges in the Superior Court and their biographies. Access the Opinion Content Search Page of Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System to search for appellate case decisions from all three courts.

Access records from bankruptcy courts in Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Courts can assist you with both. Three districts make up the Pennsylvania Bankruptcy court: the western, middle and eastern districts. Each provides information on the basics for bankruptcy filing, contact information for trustees and bankruptcy attorneys and an online search of Pennsylvania bankruptcy records through the PACER system (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).

I recommend: Obtain local court rules for Pennsylvania Bankruptcy court information at the US Bankruptcy Court – Middle District of Pennsylvania website. Visit the bankruptcy court records search at the US Bankruptcy Court – Eastern District of Pennsylvania (each district provides a similar online search).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

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

Pennsylvania courts and judges laws and regulations govern how judges resolve disputes in interpreting and applying the law. These laws are passed by the various legislative bodies in Pennsylvania, such as the Pennsylvania state legislature, and are enforced by the executive branch of government. A party that is dissatisfied by the decision of the trial court typically may appeal to the intermediate Court of Appeals. They also may have the option of asking the highest state court to hear the case.

The assignment of a case to a PA court is determined by the court that has jurisdiction. There are three general types of courts in Pennsylvania:

1. County courts. A county Pennsylvania court generally has jurisdiction over traffic cases and other misdemeanors. The vast majority of these cases are resolved without a trial.
2. District courts. District court judges in PA have jurisdiction over federal issues and are subject to review by a United States court of appeals.
3. Supreme Court. There is only one Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and it consists of a panel of judges. Supreme Court judges in Pennsylvania only may overrule a state supreme court when there is an issue of federal jurisdiction.
   

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Learn about the laws regarding county PA judges and courts

Pennsylvania county courts are the workhorses of the Pennsylvania judicial system and decide most cases in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania county courts commonly handle matters of probate law, traffic law and family law. Local rules for county courts address the procedures for assigning cases, issuing subpoenas and filing discovery motions.

I recommend: Greene County Pennsylvania offers the rules that apply to all divisions of the county's courts. Bucks County provides local court rules, such as the administrative orders for each county court division.

Examine laws that affect a PA district court

District courts in Pennsylvania are the trial courts for the federal court system. They also include courts that handle bankruptcy law as separate units of the district courts. District courts have rules that govern court procedures, such as filing civil actions, making motions and requesting continuances.

I recommend: The United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania publishes a variety of legal rules, such as the local bankruptcy rules. The United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania lists its current rules and amendments.

Review the laws governing the Pennsylvania Supreme Court

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the highest state court in Pennsylvania and generally only hears appeals involving state law. It does not make finding of facts and, therefore, does not hold trials. The Supreme Court issues rules for topics like judicial conduct, the discipline of attorneys and the publication of opinions.

I recommend: The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania provides a list of rules for doing business with the court, such as the protocols for oral arguments. The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has the Rules of Professional Conduct, which were originally promulgated by the Supreme Court in 1988.