ADAMS COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CENTRAL COURT PROCEDURES

I. INTRODUCTION

The Adams County Court of Common Pleas Central Court Procedures have been developed through the collaborative efforts of the offices of the Adams County Court of Common Pleas, the Magisterial District Judges (MDJs), Court Administration, the District Attorney, Public Defender, Victim Witness Office and the Sheriff. The purpose of these procedures is to enhance the efficiency of the Preliminary Hearing process, preserve State, County, and Municipal resources, and provide dignified and respectful service to the public without sacrificing the rights of criminal defendants.

II. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Coordination

Coordination will be effectuated as a joint effort between Court Administration and the Magisterial District Courts. The General Clerk from Court Administration will serve as the first point of contact for Court Administration. Office Managers will serve as the first point of contact for their respective Magisterial District Court.

2. Jurisdiction

For the purposes of Central Court, presiding MDJs shall have county-wide jurisdiction necessary to effectuate the processing of cases for Central Court.

3. Eligible Cases

  • Complex Cases - Cases involving complex fact patterns shall not be eligible for Central Court. The originating MDJ shall determine whether a case is considered complex as promptly as possible. Such cases shall be reported to the District Attorney, Court Administration, Public Defender's office, private counsel, and pro se defendants by the MDJ.

All criminal cases in which the defendant is entitled to a preliminary hearing pursuant to the Rules of Criminal Procedure shall be scheduled for Central Court except as set forth below:

  • Cases involving complex fact patterns shall not be eligible for
  • b. Protracted Hearings - In cases where any party expects a preliminary hearing to exceed thirty (30) minutes, a timely request may be made to the originating MDJ office to either hold the hearing at that MDJ office or during the afternoon of Central Court. The MDJ office shall enter the scheduling information on the scheduling calendar as described elsewhere in this Procedure, noting the amount of time to be allotted on the calendar.