Philadelphia Municipal Court | |
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Country | Pennsylvania, United States |
Location | Philadelphia |
Composition method | Partisanly elected and retained |
Authorized by | Pennsylvania Constitution |
No. of positions | 28 |
Website | www.courts.phila.gov |
President | |
Currently | President Judge Marsha H. Neifield |
Since | January 16, 2009 |
The Philadelphia Municipal Court handles matters of limited jurisdiction as well as landlord-tenant disputes, appeals from traffic court, preliminary hearings for felony-level offenses, and misdemeanor criminal trials. It has 25 judges elected by the voters.
The Philadelphia Municipal Court is primarily the court system in Philadelphia County to file small claims and Landlord tenant evictions. The maximum principal amount allowed to be filed for is $12,000. However, there is no limit for landlord tenant evictions in cases that leave the landlord with back rent and damages.
The Traffic Division of Municipal Court was established by Act 17 of 2013 of the Pennsylvania General Assembly which abolished the former Philadelphia Traffic Court and transferred its jurisdiction to the Municipal Court.