What If I Request A Hearing?
When you request a hearing, the magisterial district judge will send notices to you and the police of the date and time of the hearing. You have the right to be represented by your own lawyer at the hearing, but you do not usually have the right to be represented by a public defender or a lawyer appointed at public expense if your conviction will only result in a fine.

At the hearing, the police officer and other witnesses for the prosecution will testify, then you or your attorney may ask questions of the police or others who testify against you. You can then produce your own witnesses and testify yourself if you wish to do so. The police or district attorney can question you or any of your witnesses. The police can then introduce any additional evidence to contradict or disprove what you or your witnesses said. Finally, each side is given the opportunity to make any concluding statements or arguments to the magisterial district judge.

The magisterial district judge will then decide the case. If you are found not guilty, all security you posted will be returned to you. If you are found guilty, the security will go toward paying the amount of the fine and costs.

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1. How much does it cost for a wedding at the MDJ office?
2. Can a Magisterial District Judge and/or staff provide legal assistance or guidance?
3. What are the requirements for bringing suit before a Magisterial District Judge?
4. Should I go to District Court or Common Pleas Court?
5. Who can represent me in a Magisterial District Court?
6. Can the Magisterial District Judge order my property be returned?
7. To which District Court should I go?
8. How should I start a law suit?
9. How is the other party notified?
10. Do I need to appear if the Defendant has not entered a defense?
11. Can I get a continuance of the trial?
12. What should I do before the trial?
13. What happens at the trial?
14. What happens after the decision?
15. How do I proceed if no appeal is filed?
16. How can I locate an attorney?
17. How do I fill out a civil complaint?
18. Where do you file?
19. What do you include in the claim?
20. Traffic and Non Traffic Citations
21. How Are Summary Offenses Enforced?
22. What Is A Citation?
23. What If Some Of The Information In The Citation Is Wrong?
24. What If I Do Not Respond To A Citation?
25. What If I Request A Hearing?
26. What If I Fail To Appear At The Hearing?
27. Can I Appeal?
28. For More Information