What to Prepare For in Montgomery County Courts
When you face criminal charges in Montgomery County Courts (Pennsylvania), your case will likely begin in one of two courts: the county’s Court of Common Pleas or one of the county’s Magisterial District Courts (MDJ Courts). Understanding which court your case is in—and why—is a critical first step. Below is a clear guide to the structure of Montgomery County courts, what kinds of appearances you may be facing, and how Attorney William Weiss approaches defense in each setting.
Which of the Montgomery County Courts will you be in?
Court of Common Pleas
The Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas is the county’s general-trial court (38th Judicial District) and hears major criminal cases (felonies), serious civil matters, family law, juvenile court, and appellate matters from lower courts. If you are charged with a felony—such as robbery, sex assault, burglary, or significant drug distribution—you will almost always appear here.
Magisterial District Courts
Montgomery County maintains twenty-nine Magisterial District Courts that handle preliminary hearings, arraignments, traffic offenses, summary crimes, landlord/tenant issues, and smaller civil claims. If your case involves a summary offense (e.g., retail theft under $150), traffic citation, first courtroom appearance, or preliminary hearing for a more serious case, you may appear in one of these MDJ courts.
Why you may appear in a Montgomery County Court
Here are some common reasons for court appearances in Montgomery County:
- A preliminary arraignment following arrest in a felony matter
- A preliminary hearing in a Magisterial District Court to determine if the case moves to the Court of Common Pleas
- A summary offense hearing, traffic violation, or small civil claim in a district court
- A full felony trial in the Court of Common Pleas
- A plea hearing, sentencing, or probation violation hearing in the Court of Common Pleas
- A landlord/tenant dispute or small civil matter in the MDJ court
These distinctions matter because the defense strategy varies: the earlier in the process you engage counsel, the greater the chance of influencing key decisions (e.g., bail, evidence motion, preliminary hearing) before the case advances further.
Montgomery County Court Structure & Locations
| District Court | Areas / Townships Covered |
|---|---|
| MDJ 38-1-01 | East Norriton • West Norriton |
| MDJ 38-1-02 | Jenkintown • Cheltenham |
| MDJ 38-1-03 | Cheltenham • Elkins Park |
| MDJ 38-1-05 | Abington Township |
| MDJ 38-1-06 | Lower Merion • Narberth |
| MDJ 38-1-07 | Lower Merion • Ardmore |
| MDJ 38-1-08 | Springfield Township • Oreland |
| MDJ 38-1-09 | King of Prussia • Upper Merion • West Conshohocken |
| MDJ 38-1-11 | Upper Pottsgrove • West Pottsgrove |
| MDJ 38-1-12 | Pottstown • Lower Pottsgrove |
| MDJ 38-1-13 | Conshohocken |
| MDJ 38-1-14 | Hatboro • Horsham • Upper Moreland |
| MDJ 38-1-15 | Norristown (DeKalb Street – Suite 300) |
| MDJ 38-1-16 | Norristown (DeKalb Street – Suite 200) |
| MDJ 38-1-18 | Hatfield Township • Montgomery Township |
| MDJ 38-1-19 | Limerick • Royersford • Upper Providence • Trappe • Mont Clare |
| MDJ 38-1-20 | Collegeville • Lower Providence |
| MDJ 38-1-21 | Blue Bell • North Wales • Lower Gwynedd • Upper Gwynedd • Whitpain Township |
| MDJ 38-1-22 | Horsham Township |
| MDJ 38-1-23 | Whitemarsh • Conshohocken |
| MDJ 38-1-24 | Schwenksville • Lower Salford • Perkiomen • Skippack • Worcester |
| MDJ 38-1-25 | Bridgeport • Upper Merion |
| MDJ 38-1-28 | Lansdale • Towamencin |
| MDJ 38-2-02 | Marlborough • Upper Hanover • Salford • Green Lane • East Greenville • Pennsburg |
| MDJ 38-2-03 | Douglass • Lower Frederick • New Hanover • Upper Frederick |
| MDJ 38-2-04 | Bala Cynwyd • Lower Merion |
| MDJ 38-2-08 | Bryn Athyn • Lower Moreland • Upper Moreland |
*Townships listed are examples. Each Magisterial District Court covers specific township/borough election districts within Montgomery County.
How William Weiss Handles Cases in Montgomery County Courts
As your criminal defense attorney in Montgomery County, William Weiss brings local-court knowledge, strategic preparation, and aggressive representation into every case. Whether your matter begins in a Magisterial District Court or goes to the Court of Common Pleas, William Weiss’s approach includes:
- Early review of charges, police reports, and court filings to determine the right venue and next steps
- Decisive representation at the district court level (including arraignments, bail hearings, and preliminary hearings) to influence how the prosecution proceeds
- Preparedness for trial in the Court of Common Pleas when necessary, including motion practice, evidence challenges, and expert witness coordination
- Consistent communication so you understand which court you are in, what your rights are, and what strategy is being pursued
- A tailored defense plan based on the specific court, judge, and township involved
Because William Weiss handles matters across the full court system in Montgomery County—from MDJ courts in townships like Abington and Cheltenham to the Court of Common Pleas in Norristown—he is uniquely positioned to offer effective representation county-wide.