FAQ PA Judicial System

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PENNSYLVANIA JUDICIAL SYSTEM
What is the structure of the Pennsylvania Judicial System?
How are Judges elected in Pennsylvania?

Click on court name for list of questions and answers for that court.
Questions for every court include:
∎ Responsibilities ∎ Term length and salary ∎ Current Judges ∎ Year of retention vote and party affiliation

MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT COURTS

LEHIGH COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

COMMONWEALTH COURT

SUPERIOR COURT

SUPREME COURT

What is the structure of the Pennsylvania Judicial System?

The Unified Court System of Pennsylvania is built like a pyramid, starting with Magisterial District Courts, then Courts of Common Pleas, next are the appellate courts: Commonwealth Court, and Superior Court and ending with the State Supreme Court on the top. The appellate courts hear important cases that affect all Pennsylvanians.

Source: http://www.pacourts.us/news-and-statistics/news?Article=921

JUDICIAL ELECTIONS

Judicial elections occur in odd-numbered years. Justices and judges may serve an unlimited number of terms until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 75 and are retained or re-elected by the voters.

APPELLATE COURT JUDGES (State Superior, Commonwealth and Supreme Court) and TRIAL COURT JUDGES (Courts of Common Pleas) all serve ten year terms. 
Appellate Court and Trial Court judges run in partisan elections for their first 10-year term.  Subsequent 10-year terms are accomplished by merit retention elections. (See below for explanation of merit retention.) These judges may serve an unlimited number of terms until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 75.
It is important to note that Candidates for Court of Common Pleas are permitted to cross-file in a primary election in order to appear on the ballots of both parties.

MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUSTICES serve six year terms. MDJs run in partisan elections for their first 6-year term and each successive 6-year term. MJDs may serve an unlimited number of terms until they reach mandatory retirement age of 75. It is important to note that Candidates for Magisterial District Judge are permitted to cross-file in a primary election in order to appear on the ballots of both parties.

MERIT RETENTION — The Merit Retention provision of Pennsylvania’s constitution allows all but magisterial district judges to be retained with a simple “yes” or “no” vote without ballot reference to political affiliation. This provision was designed to remove judges from the pressures of the political arena once they begin their first term of office. 

MORE INFORMATION Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts and PA Commission of Judicial Independence

LEHIGH COUNTY MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT COURTS (District 31)

Magisterial District Justices are part of the minor courts, or special courts, on the first level of Pennsylvania’s judiciary. MDJs do not have to be lawyers, but they are required to pass a qualifying exam after completing a rigorous training and education program administered by the Minor Judiciary Education Board. Each court has its own elected judges. Small Claims Court cases are handled in Pennsylvania at the Magisterial District Court. In Magisterial District Court, a party is not required to have an attorney. A plaintiff cannot file a claim for more than $12,000. The plaintiff is required to file a filing fee when filing the complaint. There is also an additional cost for serving the defendant with the claim. If the plaintiff wins, these costs can potentially be recovered from the defendant.

Responsible for:

Deciding if serious criminal cases go to the Court of Common Pleas

Preliminary arraignments and preliminary hearings

Setting and accepting bail (except in murder or voluntary manslaughter cases)

Emergency protection-from-abuse-orders

Small claims cases, for claims under $12,000

Landlord – tenant matters

Municipal code violations

Motor vehicle violations (Philadelphia has a separate traffic court)

Appeals from the Magisterial District Judge go to the Court of Common Pleas.

Magisterial District Judges serve 6-year terms and can serve an unlimited number of terms until the mandatory retirement age of 75. Yearly salary $91,597.

Lehigh County has 14 Magisterial District Courts, each staffed by an elected Magisterial District Judge, located throughout the county.
Find Your Magisterial District & Justice Look-up Tool

On June 28, 2022, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court approved the following changes to the Magisterial Districts within Lehigh County*:
►reestablishment of Magisterial Districts 31-1-02, 31-1-03, 31-1-05, 31-1-06, 31-1-07, 31-1-08, 31-2-02, and 31-3-01
►elimination of Magisterial District 31-2-03, effective November 1, 2022
►realignment of Magisterial Districts 31-3-02 and 31-3-03, effective November 1, 2022
►realignment of Magisterial Districts 31-1-01, 31-1-04, and 31-2-01, effective January 1, 2024
►addition of a newly created magisterial district, 31-1-09 effective January 1, 2024. This newly created magisterial district shall be filled in the municipal election of 2023.

*Source Pennsylvania Supreme Court No. 492 Magisterial Rules Docket

Listing of the 14 Magisterial District Courts (Lehigh County website)
List of Magisterial Judges by District, including party affiliation and election year See next question

Find Your Magisterial District & Justice Look-up Tool
31-1-01 Linda D. Vega-D, Allentown Wards 8 (Term expires 2027)
31-1-02 Rashid O. Santiago-D, Allentown Wards 4, 7, 11. (Term expires 2025)
31-1-03 Ronald S. Manescu-D, Allentown Wards 3, 13, 17, 18. (Term expires 2027)
31-1-04 David M. Howells-R, Allentown Wards 12, 19. (Term expires 2029)
31-1-05 Michael D. D’Amore, Allentown Wards 14, 15; Hanover Twp (Lehigh County); Catasauqua. (Term expires 2029)
31-1-06 Amy Zanelli-D, Bethlehem Wards 10, 11, 12, 13; Fountain Hill. (Term expires 2027)
31-1-07 Todd P. Heffelfinger-D, Whitehall Twp; Coplay. (Term expires 2025)
31-1-08 Kyle Miller-R, Allentown Ward 16; Salisbury Twp. (Term expires 2029)
31-1-09 Mark McCants-D, Allentown, Wards 6, 10 (Term expires 2029)*

31-2-01 Karen C. Devine-D, Allentown wards 1, 2, 5, 9. (Term expires 2027)
31-2-02 Jacob E. Hammond-R, North Whitehall Twp; South Whitehall Twp. (Term expires 2025)

31-3-01 Tom Creighton-R, Slatington; Heidelberg Twp; Lowhill Twp; Lynn Twp; Washington Twp; Weisenberg Twp. (Term expires 2029)
31-3-02 Michael Faulkner-R, Alburtis; Lower Macungie Twp; Upper Macungie Twp. (Term expires 2029)
31-3-03 Dan Trexler-R, Coopersburg; Emmaus; Macungie; Lower Milford Township; Upper Milford Township; Upper Saucon Township (Term expires 2025)

Sources: Pennsylvania Supreme Court No. 492 Magisterial Rules Docket; Lehigh County League of Women Voters; Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas Listing of the 14 Magisterial District Courts
*before 2023, identified as 2-03, changed to 1-09 in 2023
This District Magistrate list also appears on FAQ Lehigh County

LEHIGH COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

The Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County, located in Allentown, is one of the 60 Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas. The Lehigh County Court of Common Please is comprised of ten full time judges and two senior judges providing judicial services to the citizens of Lehigh County. Each full time judge is assigned to one or more of the court divisions, which are the Criminal/Juvenile Division, the combined Civil/Motion/Family Court Division and the Orphans’ Court Division.

Appeals not exclusively assigned to another court
Adult criminal cases
Juvenile delinquency cases
Lawsuits involving money or property
Divorce, custody disputes
Child support issues
Juvenile dependency cases
Estates
Guardianships and adoptions
Appeals from the minor courts

Provides Judicial Oversight:
Court Administration
Adult Probation
Juvenile Probation
Domestic Relations Section
Court Transcription Unit
Protection from Abuse Office
Court Interpreting Unit
Child Custody Office
Law Library

Provides Administrative Services to the fourteen offices that comprise the Magisterial District Court System of Lehigh County.

Terms are ten years and the merit retention provision of Pennsylvania’s constitution allows judges to be retained with a simple “yes” or “no” vote, without ballot reference to political affiliation. This provision was designed to remove judges from political pressure once they begin their first term of office. Judges may serve an unlimited number of terms until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 75.
Yearly salary $219,933 as of 2024.

There are now 11 Judicial positions in Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas.
The first election for the 11th position will be held in 2025.

In December, 2023 an eleventh position was added to the court.

https://www.lehighvalleynews.com/lehigh-county/all-rise-new-state-law-awards-lehigh-county-court-an-11th-judge

Lehigh County List of Court of Common Pleas Judges

President Judge J. Brian Johnson, R  (Retention vote 2033)
Judge Douglas G. Reichley, R (Retention vote 2031)
Judge Robert L. Steinberg (Retention vote 2027)
Judge James T. Anthony ( Retention vote 2027)
Judge Michele A. Varricchio (Retention vote 2027)
Judge Melissa Pavlack (Retention vote 2027)
Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks (Retention vote 2030)
Judge Thomas M. Caffrey (Retention vote 2031)
Judge Thomas A. Capehart (Retention vote 2031)
Judge Zachary J. Cohen (Retention vote 2031)

Lehigh County List of Court of Common Pleas Judges
Sources: Lehigh County League of Women Voters

COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

The Commonwealth Court is one of two statewide intermediate appellate courts. The Commonwealth Court is primarily responsible for matters involving state and local governments and regulatory agencies. It also acts as a trial court when lawsuits are filed by or against the Commonwealth. The court is made up of nine judges. The president judge is chosen by his or her colleagues for a five-year term. Cases are generally heard by panels of three judges in Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, although, on occasion, they may choose to hold court in other locations. Cases may also be heard by a single judge or by en banc panels of seven judges.

Responsible for:
Challenges to voting district lines
Original civil actions brought by and against the Commonwealth,
Appeals from decisions made by state agencies and the Courts of Common Pleas
Environmental impact cases
Natural gas regulation challenges

Commonwealth Court terms are ten years and the merit retention provision of Pennsylvania’s constitution allows judges to be retained with a simple “yes” or “no” vote, without ballot reference to political affiliation. This provision was designed to remove judges from political pressure once they begin their first term of office. Judges may serve an unlimited number of terms until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 75. Yearly salary $199,114. President Judge of the Commonwealth Court salary $205,253.

PA Courts List of Commonwealth Court Judges

Renée Cohn Jubelirer, R (Retention vote 2031)
Judge Anne E. Covey R (Retention vote 2031)
Judge Patricia A. McCullough, R (Retention vote 2029)
Judge Michael H. Wojcik, D (Retention vote 2026)
Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon, R (Retention vote 2027)
Judge Stacy Wallace, R (Retention vote 2031)
Judge Lori Dumas, D (Retention vote 2031)
Judge Matthew S. Wolf D (Retention vote 2033)

SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

The Superior Court is one of Pennsylvania’s two statewide intermediate appellate courts. The Superior Court is often the final arbiter of criminal and most civil cases from the Court of Common Pleas. The superior court consists of 15 judges. The president judge is chosen by his or her colleagues for a five-year term. Cases are usually heard by panels of three judges sitting in Philadelphia, Harrisburg or Pittsburgh, but may also be heard en banc by nine judges. The Superior Court often travels to locations throughout Pennsylvania to hear cases.

Responsible for:
Appeals in criminal and most civil cases from the Courts of Common Pleas
Appeals on matters involving children and families
Review and decide on wiretapping applications presented by the state’s attorney general and district attorneys under Pennsylvania’s Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act

Superior Court Justices serve 10-year terms. After the initial 10-year term, the merit retention provision of Pennsylvania’s constitution allows judges to be retained with a simple “yes” or “no” vote, without ballot reference to political affiliation. This provision was designed to remove judges from political pressure once they begin their first term of office. Judges may serve an unlimited number of terms until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 75.
Yearly salary is $199,114. President Judge of the Superior Court salary $205,253.

Superior Court Justices serve 10-year terms. After the initial 10-year term, the merit retention provision of Pennsylvania’s constitution allows judges to be retained with a simple “yes” or “no” vote, without ballot reference to political affiliation. This provision was designed to remove judges from political pressure once they begin their first term of office. Judges may serve an unlimited number of terms until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 75.
Yearly salary is $199,114. President Judge of the Superior Court salary $205,253.

PA Courts List of Superior Court Judges

President Judge Anne E. Lazarus, D (Retention vote 2029)
President Judge Emeritus Jack A. Panella, D (Retention vote 2033)
Judge Mary Jane Bowes, R (Retention vote 2029)
Judge Victor P. Stabile, R (Retention vote 2033)
Judge Alice Beck Dubow, D (Retention vote 2025)
Judge Deborah A. Kunselman, D (Retention vote 2027)
Judge Carolyn H. Nichols, D (Retention vote 2027)
Judge Mary P. Murray, R (Retention vote 2027)
Judge Maria McLaughlin, D (Retention vote 2027)
Judge Judith Ference Olson, R (Retention vote 2029)
Judge Megan McCarthy King, R (Retention vote 2029)
Judge Megan Sullivan, R (Retention vote 2031)
Judge Jill Beck, D (Retention vote 2033)
Judge Timika Lane, D (Retention vote 2033)
President Judge Emeritus Correale F. Stevens (retired)
President Judge Emeritus, John T. Bender, R (retired)
Senior Judge James Gardner Colins (retired)

PA Courts List of Superior Court Judges
Sources: Ballotpedia This source also has biographical and election information on individual judges.
PA Courts List of Superior Court Judges Has biographical information.

SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort and has seven elected judges. The Supreme Court’s administrative powers and jurisdictional responsibilities are vested with the seven-member court by the Pennsylvania State Constitution and a collection of statutes known as the Judicial Code. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court hears discretionary appeals from the Pennsylvania Superior Court and the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, and it hears certain direct appeals from the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over direct appeals in felonious homicide, right to public office, Probate or Orphans’ Courts matters, contempt cases an questions of constitutionality of a statute. Other appeals are discretionary. The court can assume jurisdiction over any case in the Pennsylvania court system at any state of the proceedings, if it is a question of immediate public importance. Administratively, all the courts within the Unified Judicial System are largely responsible for organizing their own staff and dockets; however, the Supreme Court has several committees and boards responsible for writing and enforcing rules for judges, attorneys, and litigants to ensure an efficient and fair judicial review.

The Supreme Court has Jurisdiction Over Cases Involving:

Habeas corpus — determination if a prisoner is legally detained

Mandamus — compel a lower court or a government officer to perform mandatory or purely ministerial duties correctly

Quo Warranto — used to challenge another’s right to either public or corporate office or to challenge the legality of a corporation’s charter

Requests for discretionary appeals from the Commonwealth Court and Superior Court

Certain direct Appeals from the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, including when a sentence of death is issued

Requests to intervene in a lower court’s proceedings

The court can assume jurisdiction over any case in the Pennsylvania court system

Other appeals are discretionary

Annually, the seven justices receive over 3,000 requests for appellate review.

Terms are ten years and the merit retention provision of Pennsylvania’s constitution allows judges to be retained with a simple “yes” or “no” vote, without ballot reference to political affiliation. This provision was designed to remove judges from political pressure once they begin their first term of office. Judges may serve an unlimited number of terms until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 75.

Vacancies are filled by appointment. Appointed judges are allowed to run in the next general election more than 10 months after the vacancy; however, by Pennsylvania tradition, most interim judges do not stand for election.

Yearly salary $211,02, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court salary $217,168.

PA Courts List of Commonwealth Court Judges

Justice Christine Donohue, D (Retention vote 2025)
Justice Kevin M. Dougherty, D (Retention vote 2025)
Justice David N. Wecht, D (Retention vote 2025)
Justice Sallie Updyke Mundy, R (Retention vote 2026) Nominated by Gov. Wolf to fill vacancy, Elected in 2017
Justice Debra Todd, D (Retention vote 2027)
Kevin Brobson, R (Retention vote 2031)
Daniel McCaffery, D (Retention vote 2033)

Source: Ballotpedia This source also has biographical and election information on individual judges.
List of Pennsylvania Supreme Court Judges Has biographical information.

Justice Christine Donohue, D (Retention vote 2025)
Justice Kevin M. Dougherty, D (Retention vote 2025)
Justice David N. Wecht, D (Retention vote 2025)
Justice Sallie Updyke Mundy, R (Retention vote 2026) Nominated by Gov. Wolf to fill vacancy, Elected in 2017
Justice Debra Todd, D (Retention vote 2027)
Kevin Brobson, R (Retention vote 2031)
Daniel McCaffery, D (Retention vote 2033)

Source: Ballotpedia This source also has biographical and election information on individual judges.
List of Pennsylvania Supreme Court Judges Has biographical information.

Examples of Important Cases

PA Supreme Court Ruling on Environmental Rights Amendment in 2017
“The Commonwealth (including the Governor and General Assembly) may not approach our public natural resources as a proprietor, and instead must at all times fulfill its role as a trustee.” 

Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court issued a split decision on challenge to environmental regulations for natural gas drilling in 2019

Pennsylvania Redistricting Lawsuit, originally filed in Commonwealth Court. On January 22, 2018, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court declared that Pennsylvania’s 2011 U.S. congressional district map violates the Pennsylvania Constitution and enjoined its use in the upcoming May 15, 2018 primary. The Court invited the General Assembly to submit a new congressional district plan for approval by the Governor. When they failed to do so, as outlined in its order and opinion, on February 19, 2018, the state’s highest Court adopted a new Congressional map in time for the 2018 elections.”

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rejects Republican Suit To Throw Out Ballots, November 2020
In its ruling, the high court unanimously dismissed a lawsuit that claimed that a 2019 state law allowing no-excuse absentee ballots was unconstitutional.
The state Supreme Court decision also threw out a lower court decision to halt the state from further certifying election results. 

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Allows Pennsylvania Voters to Cast Provisional Ballots if Their Mail-in Ballots Have Been Invalidated, November 2024