- Home
- Magisterial District Judges
Magisterial District Judges
Minor Judiciary
The minor judiciary, as Magisterial District Judges as a whole are known, is the court of initial jurisdiction in all criminal court cases through the County and State of Pennsylvania, conducting summary hearings and preliminary hearings in cases of misdemeanor and felony offenses. The Magisterial District Judge is an integral part of the criminal justice system of Pennsylvania.
In Washington County, there are eleven magisterial districts strategically located throughout the County. Each district is served by an elected Magisterial District Judge who serves a six-year term. The Magisterial District Judges are regulated by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and are directly responsible to President Judge John F. DiSalle.
Magisterial Judge Responsibilities
The Magisterial District Judges hear civil suits filed by individual citizens or businesses where the amount in dispute does not exceed $12,000. The Magisterial District Judges can also perform a marriage ceremony.
Preliminary Hearings
In Washington County, we have a central court system which was initiated to hold preliminary hearings. In cases that are held at Central Court, a representative from the District Attorney's Office will act as the prosecutor. Magisterial District Judges are assigned on a monthly basis to preside over this Court, which is held in the Washington County Courthouse. View some of the cases that are held in preliminary hearings:
- Armed Robbery
- Arson
- Homicide
- Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse
- Perjury
- Rape
District Judges
District | District Judge | Phone |
---|---|---|
A 27-1-01 | Kelly J. Stewart | 724-228-8836 |
B 27-1-02 | Mark A. Wilson | 724-258-5106 |
C 27-1-03 | Eric G. Porter | 724-483-6373 |
D 27-2-01 | James Saieva, Jr. | 724-745-5754 |
E 27-3-01 | Phillippe A. Melograne | 724-941-1015 |
F 27-3-02 | Curtis L. Thompson | 724-239-5050 |
G 27-3-03 | Joshua P. Kanalis | 724-632-3143 |
H 27-3-05 | Michael L. Manfredi | 724-746-1227 |
I 27-3-06 | Louis McQuillan | 724-746-8515 |
J 27-3-07 | Gary H. Havelka | 724-947-5492 |
K 27-3-10 | John P. Bruner | 724-222-8122 |
Resources
View resources about the Judicial System:
- East Washington Borough Re-Alignment Notice (PDF)
- Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania - Court Forms for the Public
- View Public Forms for the court
Zone Prosecution
Washington County utilizes a two-zone vertical prosecution model for criminal cases.
Under this model, one prosecutor is assigned to stay with a case from start to finish, better serving the victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officials involved in the prosecution of a crime. Generally, judicial assignment of a criminal case is determined by originating magisterial district court as follows:
Judge Valarie Costanzo ("Zone 1") | Judge Brandon P. Neuman ("Zone 2") |
---|---|
27-1-01 Kelly J. Stewart | 27-1-02 Mark Wilson |
27-2-01 James Saieva, Jr. | 27-1-03 Eric Porter |
27-3-01 Vacant | 27-3-02 Curtis Thompson |
27-3-06 Louis J. McQuillan | 27-3-03 Joshua Kanalis |
27-3-07 Gary Havelka | 27-3-05 Michael Manfredi |
27-3-10 John P. Bruner |
Zones are subject to change at the discretion of the court.
Magisterial Complaint & Petition Forms
- Civil Complaint (PDF)
- Landlord Tenant Complaint (PDF)
- Notice of Appeal from Magisterial District Judge Judgment (PDF)
- Petition for Emergency Relief from Abuse (PDF)
- Petition for Emergency Relief from Abuse Questionnaire (PDF)
- Petition for Emergency Relief from Sexual Violence or Intimidation (PDF)
- Private Criminal Complaint (PDF)
- Private Criminal Complaint Questionnaire (PDF)