Lancaster County Court

County Resources

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Lancaster County Court Information

The first Lancaster County Courthouse was completed in 1738. That courthouse was used until a fire destroyed it in 1784. A new courthouse was constructed in 1787.

The third and current Lancaster County Courthouse was completed in 1854. Additions were built in 1898, 1920, and 1928. A 4-story annex was completed in 1975.

Locations

Lancaster County Courthouse
50 N. Duke Street
P.O. Box 83480
Lancaster, PA 17608
717-299-8041

District 02-3-07
2 Cardinal Dr.
Stevens, PA 17578-9796
717-336-2801

District 02-2-02
150 N. Queen St.
Suite 120
Lancaster, PA 17603-3789
717-295-2000

District 02-3-03
324 Beaver Valley Pk.
Willow Street, PA 17584-9529
717-464-4141

District 02-1-03
341 Chestnut St.
Columbia, PA 17512-1156
717-684-2761

District 02-2-05
2168 Embassy Dr.
Suite 150
Lancaster, PA 17603
717-735-2288

District 02-3-02
15 Geist Rd.
Lancaster, PA 17601-5993
717-656-2191

District 02-3-06
745B E. Main St.
New Holland, PA 17557-1521
717-354-4206

District 02-3-01
424 S. Angle St.
Mount Joy, PA 17552-2002
717-653-4575

District 02-2-06
841 Stehman Rd.
Millersville, PA 17551-9753
717-872-4361

District 02-2-07
609 E. Main St.
Ephrata, PA 17522-0242
717-733-8688

District 02-2-04
796A New Holland Ave.
Lancaster, PA 17602-3011
717-299-7966

District 02-3-04
25 E. State St.
Quarryville, PA 17566-1248
717-786-7368

District 02-3-09
5 Municipal Dr.
Elizabethtown, PA 17022-0511
717-367-4330

District 02-1-02
2205 Oregon Pk.
Lancaster, PA 17601-4606
717-569-8774

District 02-2-01
123 Locust St, Rear
Lancaster, PA 17602
717-299-7974

District 02-3-05
3 Heritage Dr.
Suite 100
Gordonville, PA 17529
717-768-3312

District 02-2-03
1351 Elm Ave.
Lancaster, PA 17603-4632
717-299-7898

District 02-2-08
690 Furnace Hills Pike
Lititz, PA 17543-8907
717-626-0258

District Court 02-1-01
641 Union Street
Lancaster, PA 17603-5508
717-299-7896

United States District Court
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Edward N. Cahn U.S. Courthouse
504 W. Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101

United States District Court
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
The Gateway Building
201 Penn Street
Reading, PA 19601

United States District Court
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Holmes Building
101 Larry Holmes Drive
Easton, PA 18042

Clerk of Courts

The Clerk of Courts handles most things court-related. Motions and petitions are filed through the Clerk’s Office. The Clerk is also responsible for processing bail, issuing and receiving payment of fines and fees, providing licenses for private detectives, and processing appeals to the state appellate courts.

Nicky Woods
Lancaster County Clerk of Courts
50 N. Duke St. (2nd floor)
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 299-8275

District Court Administrator

The District Court Administrator provides technical and administrative support to the court. This includes managing fiscal operations and jury services, scheduling court hearings, managing personnel, and handling public relations.

Mark M. Dalton
District Court Administrator
50 N. Duke St.
P.O. Box 83480
Lancaster, PA 17608
717-299-8041

Register of Wills

The Register of Wills is responsible for probating wills and maintaining the records of such wills. The Register of Wills also functions as the Clerk of the Orphan’s Court. This office is also responsible for issuing marriage licenses.

Anne L. Cooper
Register of Wills
Clerk of the Orphans’ Court
50 N. Duke St.
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 295-5994

Prothonotary

The Office of Prothonotary handles the recording and filing documents for the civil side of the District Court. This includes ceremonies for naturalization, court appeals, changes of names, and other civil actions.

Andrew M. Spade
Lancaster County Prothonotary
50 N. Duke St.
P.O. Box 83480
Lancaster, PA 17608
717-299-8282

United States District Court

Lancaster County is part of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for the United States District Court. The Eastern District includes Bucks, Berks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Northampton, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties.

Mitchell S. Goldberg is the Chief Judge, and George V. Wylesol is the Clerk of Court.

2nd Judicial District

The Lancaster County District Court is part of the 2nd Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The Courts of Common Pleas are the general trial courts in Pennsylvania, and there are 60 judicial districts of these courts. Each district has a president judge and a court administrator.

The Courts of Common Pleas include Criminal, Civil, Family, and Orphans’ divisions.

Magisterial Districts

The minor courts, presided over by Magisterial District Judges, are the starting point of all criminal court cases in Pennsylvania. These judges do not have to be lawyers, but they must pass a qualifying exam. Magisterial District Judges are elected.

Preliminary and summary hearings for both misdemeanors and felonies are heard in these courts. These judges can perform marriage ceremonies, and they hear civil suits where the financial amount in dispute is not more than $12,000.

Civil Court

Civil cases are those that are not criminal in nature and usually involve a financial or property dispute between two people.

Magisterial District Judges hear cases that involve a financial amount of $12,000 or less. Civil cases involving higher amounts are part of the Civil Division of the 5th Judicial District..

Criminal Court

Criminal court judges hear cases involving criminal offenses. Magisterial District judges hold the initial hearings for criminal cases, but those are transferred to district court.

Family Court

Family court judges hear cases involving domestic relations, including divorce, custody, and separation. Juvenile dependency and delinquency cases are also heard in the Family Division, as are domestic violence cases.

Orphans’ Court

Known in other states as Probate Court, this court is responsible for probating estates and guardianships, trusts, and marriage licenses.

Veterans Court

Veterans Court is a treatment court designed to help veterans with mental health and/or substance abuse issues related to their military service. The program offers long-term drug treatment and mental health counseling.

There are three tracks: diversionary, modified, and non-diversionary. Upon completion of the program, charges may be expunged, charges may be reduced, or the probation or parole period may be shortened, respectively.

All misdemeanor and felony offenses can be considered for Veterans Court, with the exceptions of homicide or sexual charges.

Drug Court

Drug Court is a specialized program for offenders who admit they have substance abuse problems. Long-term substance abuse treatment, random drug and alcohol testing, and court appearances are all mandatory.

There are three tracks: diversionary, modified, and non-diversionary. Upon completion of the program, charges may be expunged, charges may be reduced, or the probation or parole period may be shortened, respectively. Violent and sexual offenses are excluded from this program.