What should you do if you have been arrested for a summary criminal offense, or have received a ticket for a traffic violation? What does it mean to be summoned to district court for a proceeding? How does the district court system even work? Your attorney can help you with all of these questions and more before you have to report for your court date.

You have likely received a notice to appear in district court for an arraignment, a preliminary criminal hearing, a non-jury trial, or a traffic hearing. District courts in Pennsylvania (which are also called magisterial courts) specifically hear traffic offenses, summary criminal offenses, municipal code violations, small civil claims under $12,000, and landlord tenant disputes.

There are many district courts throughout the state and in each county in Pennsylvania. Each district court represents parts of certain townships or boroughs, or in some cases entire townships or boroughs. Your notice should tell you which court you have been scheduled to appear in, as well as what proceeding you are scheduled to attend. Your attorney will help you prepare for your court date.

Upper Darby District Courts

District Court 32-1-35 is one of the several district courts that serves the Upper Darby area in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. This court serves the following wards in Upper Darby Township: Ward 1 (Precinct 9), Ward 3 (Precincts 1, 3, 5 and 11), Ward 4 (Precincts 2, 3 and 5 through 11), Ward 5 (Precincts 3 and 8), and Ward 7 (Precincts 2 and 10).

Along with the other Upper Darby district courts, this court is located in the Barclay Square Building at 1550 Garrett Road, Upper Darby. The court is presided over by the Honorable Judge Ann Berardocco. The phone number of the court is 610-626-6900, and the fax number is 610-623-0463.

If you have been arrested for a summary criminal offense, you have probably been charged with criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, loitering, harassment, underage drinking, or shoplifting. If you have received a citation for a traffic offense, you have probably been charged with failure to yield, running a stop sign or a red light, speeding, driving with a suspended license, or in some instances, a DUI or a DWI.

These charges, though seemingly minor or unimportant, are worth your full attention, because they can come with fines of hundreds of dollars and jail sentences of 90 days for a first offense or 180 days for repeat offenses. If you are convicted in district court, you and your family may have to bear the burden of these penalties if you do not show Judge Berardocco that you do not deserve to face the full extent of the penalties.

A strong defense is your best chance to have your sentence reduced or your charges altogether dismissed. As soon as you receive your notice or summons to appear in district court, call our office and speak to one of our experienced attorneys who has handled cases just like yours in Delaware County district courts. Our lawyers will help you work on a strong defense, explain the process to you, and ensure that you feel calm and confident going into your court date. Do not wait -- call us today.