The Pennsylvania Court system
For information about the Federal Court, click here.
Note to students: Although sometimes verdicts in a case in one Court are appealed to a higher Court, more often the case is only heard in the appropriate Court.
Click in the area below to find information about that particular level.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the state. The seven-member court:
- Hears discretionary appeals from the Superior Court and Commonwealth courts.
- Hears direct appeals from the Courts of
Common Pleas in cases specified by statute, including
all death-penalty cases and direct appeals from Commonwealth
Court in its
original jurisdiction.
- May hear a case from any level in certain circumstances.
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Pa. Supreme Court Justices
The Commonwealth Court hears:
- Original
civil cases brought by and against the Commonwealth.
- Appeals from decisions by state agencies and from Courts
of
Common Pleas involving the Commonwealth and local agencies.
The Pennsylvania Superior Court hears:
- Criminal
and certain civil appeals from the Courts of Common Pleas.
- Appeal from Courts of Common Pleas on matters involving
children and families.
The Court of Common Pleas hears:
- All
major criminal and civil cases.
- Appeals from the District Magistrates or District Justices
in civil, criminal, and traffic matters.
- Most matters involving children and families.
The District Magistrates or District Justices hear:
- Less serious, non-jury criminal, civil, and all traffic cases.
- Matters pertaining to bail.
- Whether serious criminal cases, such as murder, should go
to the Court of Common Pleas.