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

Magisterial District Judges are authorized to hear the following types of cases:

Civil Cases:

1. Claims for money up to $12,000 (not including interest and court costs). Note that a Magisterial District Judge does not have jurisdiction to hear any claim in which legal ownership of real estate is at issue.
2. Claims under the Landlord and Tenant Act.

Criminal Cases:

1. Summary offenses, including motor vehicle violations.
2. DUI cases if: (a) it is a first offense, (b) there are no personal injuries, and (c) the defendant pleads guilty.
3. Third degree misdemeanors if the defendant pleads guilty. Magisterial District Judges also preside over arraignments, fix bail, and issue arrest and search warrants. They also issue Emergency Protection from Abuse Orders on nights, weekends and holidays when the Court of Common Pleas is closed.

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.

Magisterial District Judge Offices