District Court #56-3-01
Magisterial District Judge: Eric M. Schrantz
Phone: 570-325-2751
Fax: 570-325-5538
340 Center Avenue
P.O. Box 356
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229-0356
Jim Thorpe Borough, Lehighton Borough
Weissport Borough, Mahoning Township (Voting District Packerton
Jamestown), Penn Forest Township
District Court #56-3-02 Magisterial District Judge: William J. Kissner
Phone: 610-826-3707
Fax: 610-826-6914
401 Delaware Avenue
2nd Floor
Palmerton, PA 18071-1892
Palmerton Borough, Parryville Borough, Bowmanstown Borough
Lower Towamensing Township, Towamensing Township, Franklin Township
District Court #56-3-03 Magisterial District Judge: Beth A. Dodson
Phone: 570-645-3024
Fax: 570-645-5544
417 East Ridge Street
P.O. Box 203
Lansford, PA 18232-0203
Lansford Borough, Nesquehoning Borough,
Summit Hill Borough, East Penn Township, Mahoning
Township (Voting Districts Mahoning and New Mahoning)
District Court #56-3-04
Magisterial District Judge: Joseph D. Homanko, Sr.
Phone: 570-427-4100
Fax: 570-427-8730
71 W. Main Street
Weatherly, PA 18255
Beaver Meadows Borough, East Side Borough,
Weatherly Borough, Banks Township, Kidder Township,
Lausanne Township, Lehigh Township, Packer Township
The Magisterial District Court is the first level of judicial authority in Pennsylvania and is the court where most people experience the judicial system for the first time. There are four Magisterial District Courts located throughout Carbon County. An elected Magisterial District Judge presides over each of the individual Magisterial District Courts. They are elected to serve in their districts for six year terms.
Magisterial District Judges handle all traffic cases, summary criminal offenses, municipal code violations, landlord/tenant suits and civil cases involving amounts up to $12,000. Magisterial District Judges also set bail and conduct preliminary hearings in misdemeanor and felony criminal cases to determine if the cases should be dismissed or transferred to the Court of Common Pleas for further proceedings.
Magisterial District Judges, as officers of the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System, may administer oaths and affirmations and take acknowledgements. They also have authority to perform marriages. It is up to the individual Judge’s decision whether he or she wishes to perform marriage ceremonies as there is no legally prescribed form for a wedding ceremony so religious services and vows conform to the secular content in which they are used.
The Magisterial District Courts utilize the ePay system for the payment of fines and costs at all of the Magisterial District Courts. This allows an individual to pay fines, costs, restitution, collateral etc. online from any internet connected computer or from the lobby of the Magisterial District Court. For more information see the ePay Online Case Payment brochure. For payments online please go to:
http://ujsportal.pacourts.us and click on the PA ePay block.
Magisterial District Courts are open 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. with the offices closed between 12:00-1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. A list of Magisterial District Courts indicating the municipalities they serve can be found above.
PLEASE NOTE: THE COURT STAFF CAN EXPLAIN BASIC PROCEDURE BUT MAY NOT GIVE YOU A LEGAL OPINION OR ADVICE.
