• c. Upon agreement of the parties, and if it appears to the Magisterial District Judge that time and resources may be saved without interfering with the rights of a defendant, the originating Magisterial District Judge may reschedule a preliminary hearing to occur at the originating District Court. This shall be considered the exception, not the general rule, and shall not be used to undermine the Central Court process.

4. Documents

Subpoena List. All criminal complaints/affidavits of probable cause shall contain a subpoena list that includes names, addresses and telephone numbers of witnesses needed to be present at the preliminary hearing.

5. Personnel

  • The General Clerk from Court Administration and an assigned staff member from the presiding MDJ's office shall assist the MDJ during Central Court.
  • The assigned staff member and General Clerk from Court Administration assisting at Central Court shall have multi-court access to all magisterial district courts within Adams County.
  • There shall be at least two (2) Assistant District Attorneys present at Central Court each week for the purpose of prosecution and to engage in discussions and negotiations with defense counsel and other parties involved with the case.
  • The Public Defender or Assistant Public Defender shall be present at Central Court each week for the purpose of making available applications to determine qualification of defendants to receive representation from the Public Defender's Office, and to take the necessary steps for representation of qualified applicants.
  • Personnel from the Victim Witness Office shall be available to address needs of such persons.
  • A Probation/Parole representative shall be available as needed.
  • Court Reporter-Upon no less than 48 hours' notice prior to the date of the preliminary hearing, and upon request from the Commonwealth, Public Defender or Court-appointed Counsel, Court Administration shall determine if a Court Reporter employed by the Court would be available to serve at the preliminary hearing. If Court Administration determines that a Court-employed Court Reporter is unavailable, or if Private Counsel is requesting a Court Reporter, the requesting party shall be responsible to secure and pay for court reporting services unless otherwise indicated by the Court of Common Pleas.

6. Incarcerated Defendants