Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1515 (2026)

Jurisdiction and venue.

✓ current as of May 2026

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§ 1515. Jurisdiction and venue.

(a) Jurisdiction.--Except as otherwise prescribed by general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), magisterial district judges shall, under procedures prescribed by general rule, have jurisdiction of all of the following matters:

(1) Summary offenses, except those arising out of the same episode or transaction involving a delinquent act for which a petition alleging delinquency is filed under Chapter 63 (relating to juvenile matters).

(2) Matters arising under the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, which are stated therein to be within the jurisdiction of a magisterial district judge.

(3) Civil claims, except claims against a Commonwealth party as defined by section 8501 (relating to definitions), wherein the sum demanded does not exceed $12,000, exclusive of interest and costs, in the following classes of actions:

(i) In assumpsit, except cases of real contract where the title to real estate may be in question.

(ii) In trespass, including all forms of trespass and trespass on the case.

(iii) For fines and penalties by any government agency.

A plaintiff may waive a portion of his claim of more than $12,000 so as to bring the matter within the monetary jurisdiction of a magisterial district judge. Such waiver shall be revoked automatically if the defendant appeals the final order of the magisterial district judge or when the judgment is set aside upon certiorari.

(4) As commissioners to preside at arraignments, fix and accept bail, except for offenses under 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 2502 (relating to murder) and 2503 (relating to voluntary manslaughter) for which the fixing and accepting of bail shall be performed by any judge of any court of common pleas, and to issue warrants and perform duties of a similar nature, including the jurisdiction of a committing magistrate in all criminal proceedings.

(5) Offenses under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 (relating to driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance), if the following criteria are met:

(i) The offense is the first offense by the defendant under such provision in this Commonwealth.

(ii) No personal injury (other than to the defendant) resulted from the offense.

(iii) The defendant pleads guilty.

(iv) No property damage in excess of $500 other than to the defendant's property resulted from the violation.

(v) The defendant is not subject to the provisions of Chapter 63 (relating to juvenile matters).

(vi) The arresting authority shall cause to be transmitted a copy of the charge of any violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 to the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas within five days after the preliminary arraignment.

In determining that the above criteria are met the magisterial district judge shall rely on the certification of the arresting authority. Certification that the criteria are met need not be in writing. Within ten days after the disposition, the magisterial district judge shall certify the disposition to the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas in writing.

(5.1) Offenses under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3808 (relating to illegally operating a motor vehicle not equipped with ignition interlock).

(6) (i) Offenses under Title 18 (crimes and offenses), Title 30 (fish) and Title 35 (health and safety) which are classified as misdemeanors of the third degree, if the following criteria are met:

(A) The misdemeanor is not the result of a reduced charge.

(B) Any personal injury or property damage is less than $500.

(D) The defendant is not subject to the provisions of Chapter 63.

(ii) Subparagraph (i) shall not apply to any offense under the following provisions of Title 18:

Section 4303 (relating to concealing death of child born out of wedlock).

Section 4321 (relating to willful separation or nonsupport).

Section 5103 (relating to unlawfully listening into deliberations of jury).

(6.1) All offenses under Title 34 (relating to game).

(7) Matters jurisdiction of which is vested in magisterial district judges by any statute.

(b) Venue and process.--The venue of a magisterial district judge concerning matters over which jurisdiction is conferred by subsection (a) shall be as prescribed by general rule. The process of the magisterial district judge shall extend beyond the territorial limits of the magisterial district to the extent prescribed by general rule.

(Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days; July 20, 1979, P.L.157, No.52, eff. 60 days; Oct. 1, 1981, P.L.282, No.95, eff. imd.; Dec. 13, 1982, P.L.1141, No.260, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; Dec. 20, 1982, P.L.1409, No.326, eff. 60 days; Dec. 19, 1984, P.L.1089, No.218, eff. imd.; July 8, 1986, P.L.442, No.93, eff. July 1, 1987; Dec. 18, 1992, P.L.1269, No.167, eff. imd.; Mar. 31, 1995, 1st Sp.Sess., P.L.983, No.9, eff. 60 days; Sept. 30, 2003, P.L.120, No.24, eff. Feb. 1, 2004; Nov. 29, 2004, P.L.1369, No.177, eff. imd.; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days; Aug. 11, 2009, P.L.147, No.33, eff. 60 days; Nov. 23, 2010, P.L.1137, No.114, eff. 60 days)

2010 Amendment. Act 114 amended subsec. (a).

2004 Amendment. See section 29 of Act 207 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to construction of law.

1985 Partial Repeal. Section 3 of Act 60 of 1985 provided that subsec. (a)(5)(iii) and (6)(i)(C) is repealed insofar as it is inconsistent with Act 60.

References in Text. Section 4321 of Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses), referred to in subsec. (a)(6)(ii), is repealed.

Cross References. Section 1515 is referred to in sections 1522, 9702 of this title; section 3321 of Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns); sections 103, 1106 of Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses); section 7711 of Title 73 (Townships); sections 102, 1619 of Title 75 (Vehicles).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 66 cases (16 in the last 5 years), 1979–2026 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Noss, 162 A.3d 503 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).

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Commonwealth v. Noss, 162 A.3d 503 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). · cites it 4× “42 Pa.C.S. § 1515(a)(6)(i)(A)-(D) (emphasis added).”

Commonwealth v. Perfetto, M., Aplt., 207 A.3d 812 (Pa. 2019). · cites it 2× “In this regard, the majority equates the statutory term "court" with the institution or tribunal involved, rather than the particular judge.”

Commonwealth v. Garcia, 43 A.3d 470 (Pa. 2012). · cites it 2× “It observes that the legislature granted jurisdiction to the magisterial district judges over certain offenses including those graded as misdemeanors of the third-degree, 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515(a)(6)(i). In turn, the Commonwealth *476 notes, this Court developed procedures to be…”

Com. v. Martinez Santiago, J., 270 A.3d 512 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). · cites it 2× “See 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515(a)(6.1). However, it is unclear the extent to which this statute overrides the language of Rules 542(F) and 543(F), which would appear to apply to all misdemeanors joined with summary offenses regardless of grading.”

Com. v. Pammer, K., 232 A.3d 931 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020). · cites it 3× “However, the Commonwealth argues that it can proceed on all of the charges because, consistent with Johnson, supra, the magisterial district judge in Lehigh County did not have jurisdiction over any of Appellant’s other pending charges under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515. See Commonwealth’s…”

In Re: Return of Seized Prop. of Lackawanna Cty, 212 A.3d 1 (Pa. 2019). · cites it 2× “]” 42 Pa.C.S. §1515(a)(4); see also 42 Pa.C.”

Commonwealth v. Ferguson, 552 A.2d 1075 (Pa. 1988). · cites it 2× “ts the grade of crime determined from the following schedule: Amount of Assistance or Food Stamps Degree of Crime $3,000 or more Felony of the third degree $1,500 to $2,999 Misdemeanor of the first degree $1,000 to $1,499 Misdemeanor of the second degree $999 and under, or an…”

Matter of Huff, 582 A.2d 1093 (Pa. 1991). · cites it 2× “In particular, the majority notes that 42 Pa.Cons.Stat.Ann. § 1515 (Purdon 1981) gives district justices jurisdiction over summary offenses.”

Petition of Daily Item, 456 A.2d 580 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1983). · cites it 2× “All courts and district justices and their jurisdiction shall be in this unified judicial system.”

Bd. of Supervisors of Willistown Twp. v. Main Line Gardens, Inc. & Coffman Assocs., LLC, 184 A.3d 615 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2018). · cites it 2× “CV-328-12 in the magisterial district court, and which covered the period from August 3 through August 14, 2012.”

Duffey v. Dept. of Transp., 607 A.2d 815 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1992). · cites it 2× “3 (relating to carrying a false identification card), the court, including a court not of record if it is exercising jurisdiction pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515(a) (relating to jurisdiction and venue), shall order the operating privilege of the person suspended.”

Commonwealth v. Beckman, 450 A.2d 660 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1982). · cites it 2× “’ Includes (when exercising criminal or quasi-criminal jurisdiction pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515 (relating to jurisdiction and venue)) a district justice.”

Show all 66 citing cases →

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1515(a) — 15 cases

Com. v. Martinez Santiago, J., 270 A.3d 512 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “See 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515(a)(6.1). However, it is unclear the extent to which this statute overrides the language of Rules 542(F) and 543(F), which would appear to apply to all misdemeanors joined with summary offenses regardless of grading.”

Duffey v. Dept. of Transp., 607 A.2d 815 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1992). “3 (relating to carrying a false identification card), the court, including a court not of record if it is exercising jurisdiction pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515(a) (relating to jurisdiction and venue), shall order the operating privilege of the person suspended.”

Commonwealth v. Elliott, 599 A.2d 1335 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991).

Krall v. Commonwealth, Dep't of Transp., Bureau of Driver Licensing, 682 A.2d 63 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1996).

Smay v. Commonwealth, Dep't of Transp., Bureau of Driver Licensing, 940 A.2d 540 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2008).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1515(a)(1) — 8 cases

Jackson v. Pennsylvania Bd. of Prob. & Parole, 951 A.2d 1238 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2008).

Commonwealth v. Oliver, 869 A.2d 1167 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2005).

E.J. Nicholas v. PBPP (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2019).

C. Jones v. PBPP (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2019).

Blanche Brown v. Joseph Friel (3rd Cir. 2021).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1515(a)(2) — 2 cases

O'Kane, S. v. Munster, A. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2025).

Kevin Clark (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 2023).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1515(a)(3) — 6 cases

In Re: Order Amending Rules 209, 503, 504, 506-508, 512-521, 1007, 1008, & 1013 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure Governing Actions & Proceedings Before Magisterial Dist. Judges (Pa. 2020).

In Re: Order Adopting Rule 351 & Amending the Comments to Rules 301, 302, & 321 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure Governing Actions & Proceedings before Magisterial Dist. Judges (Pa. 2023).

Twp. of Cranberry v. R.J. Spencer (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2023).

Musselman v. Commonwealth, 573 A.2d 656 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1990).

Stephens v. Simpson, 34 Pa. D. & C.3d 4 (1984).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1515(a)(3)(i) — 1 case

Jeniqua Bradley v. Kenneth Lenker (3rd Cir. 2026).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1515(a)(4) — 3 cases

In Re: Return of Seized Prop. of Lackawanna Cty, 212 A.3d 1 (Pa. 2019). “]” 42 Pa.C.S. §1515(a)(4); see also 42 Pa.C.”

Noble v. The Cnty. of Erie (W.D. Pa. 2024).

A. Saunders v. M. Munch (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2024).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1515(a)(5) — 3 cases

Com. v. Pammer, K., 232 A.3d 931 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020). “However, the Commonwealth argues that it can proceed on all of the charges because, consistent with Johnson, supra, the magisterial district judge in Lehigh County did not have jurisdiction over any of Appellant’s other pending charges under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515. See Commonwealth’s…”

Com. v. Pammer, K., 2020 Pa. Super. 119 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020).

In Re: Order Adopting New Rule 705.1, Amending Rules 454, 462, & 1010, & Approving the Revision of the Comments to Rules 409, 414, 424, 455, 550, 590, & 704 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Crim. Procedure (Pa. 2016).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1515(a)(6) — 1 case

Commonwealth v. Jannetta, 605 A.2d 386 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1515(a)(6)(i) — 2 cases

Commonwealth v. Garcia, 43 A.3d 470 (Pa. 2012). “It observes that the legislature granted jurisdiction to the magisterial district judges over certain offenses including those graded as misdemeanors of the third-degree, 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515(a)(6)(i). In turn, the Commonwealth *476 notes, this Court developed procedures to be…”

M. Hoousendove v. PA BPP (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2016).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1515(a)(6)(i)(A) — 1 case

Commonwealth v. Noss, 162 A.3d 503 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). “42 Pa.C.S. § 1515(a)(6)(i)(A)-(D) (emphasis added).”

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1515(a)(7) — 5 cases

Commonwealth v. Ferguson, 552 A.2d 1075 (Pa. 1988). “ts the grade of crime determined from the following schedule: Amount of Assistance or Food Stamps Degree of Crime $3,000 or more Felony of the third degree $1,500 to $2,999 Misdemeanor of the first degree $1,000 to $1,499 Misdemeanor of the second degree $999 and under, or an…”

Commonwealth v. Easley, 491 A.2d 868 (Pa. 1985).

Bd. of Supervisors of Willistown Twp. v. Main Line Gardens, Inc. & Coffman Assocs., LLC, 184 A.3d 615 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2018). “CV-328-12 in the magisterial district court, and which covered the period from August 3 through August 14, 2012.”

Hawkins v. Unemployment Comp. Bd. of Review, 695 A.2d 963 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1997).

Com. of PA v. G. Edwards (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2021).

— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1515(a)(l) — 1 case

Austin v. Commonwealth, 442 A.2d 832 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1982).

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