WHAT IS A DISTRICT JUDGE?

On the campaign trail, the most common questions we are asked are "What is a District Judge?" and "What does a District Judge do?" These are very good questions, and it is unfortunate that a majority of citizen in Lansdale and Towamencin do not know the answers.

The District Court is considered "small claims" court, but that is only part of the picture. District Court handles traffic and parking citations, non-traffic citations, non-jury criminal cases other than murder, preliminary hearings, arraignments, sets and accepts bail and non-jury civil claims up to $8,000.00.

For a majority of citizens, this is their only exposure to the legal system. Most of those who appear before the District Court represent themselves (pro se). This can be very intimidating and frightening for those unaccustomed to the legal system. It is important that a District Judge understand the fears and uncertainty of the people before him. A District Judge must run a smooth and efficient courtroom, but must also ensure that justice, fairness, dignity and respect prevail for all.

Aside from the in-court matters mentioned above, a District Judge is responsible for issuing warrants for non-payment of citations, maintaining a qualified and receptive staff, and ensuring that the courthouse is open to the public for the filing and payment of citations.

There are also ’Äúunwritten tasks’Äù that Levine believes should be the responsibility of a District Judge. Ed believes that a Judge should do everything possible to ease the work load on our law enforcement officers - through flexibility and efficiency in scheduling, limiting the number of warrants issued to police, and providing consistent and articulate reasoning for decisions made in the courtroom.

Ed also thinks that a District Judge should utilize his position to the fullest outside of the courthouse, going into the community educate and inform. A good District Judge does not have a majority of constituents wondering "who he is" and "what he does". A great District Judge is committed to the Court and committed to the community.

The following description of the Court’Äôs jurisdiction is excerpted from the Minor Judiciary Education board:

Minor courts, also called special courts or courts of limited jurisdiction, constitute the "grass roots" level of Pennsylvania's court system. For many Pennsylvanians these are the first, and often the only, courts they will ever encounter. The minor courts include the Magisterial District Judge courts, Philadelphia Municipal Court and Philadelphia Traffic Court.

Magisterial District Courts
Magisterial district judges preside over magisterial district judge courts in all counties but Philadelphia. They have authority to:

Magisterial district judges are not required to be lawyers, but if they are not, they must complete an educational course and pass a qualifying examination before they can take office. They must also complete one week of continuing education each year in a program administered by the Minor Judiciary Education Board.

ON NOVEMBER 3rd VOTE FOR ED LEVINE
COMMITTED TO THE JOB,
COMMITED TO THE COURT,
COMMITED TO THE COMMUNITY