Magisterial District Courts: Small Claims, Landlord-Tenant & Summary Offenses

Not every dispute belongs in the Court of Common Pleas. Pennsylvania's Magisterial District Courts (MDJ courts) are the front line of the justice system — handling small civil claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and summary criminal offenses. There are 509 magisterial district courts across the state, each presided over by an elected Magisterial District Judge.

What MDJ Courts Handle

• Civil claims up to $12,000: The jurisdictional limit for civil actions before an MDJ. This covers debt collection, property damage, breach of contract, return of security deposits, and similar claims. There is no jury — the judge decides the case.
• Landlord-tenant disputes: Eviction proceedings (actions to recover possession of real property under Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 501 et seq.) are filed with the MDJ, regardless of the amount of rent owed. The MDJ can also hear related rent claims within its jurisdictional limit. However, the MDJ's jurisdiction over possession cases requires a landlord-tenant relationship — meaning there must be a lease or rental agreement (written or oral). If there is no landlord-tenant relationship — for example, a family member who was allowed to live in a property without a lease, a holdover after a land contract falls through, or a trespasser — the MDJ has no jurisdiction. In those situations, the proper remedy is an action in ejectment, which must be filed in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas. Ejectment is a longer and more expensive process, but it is the only option when no lease or rental agreement exists.
• Summary criminal offenses: Traffic citations, disorderly conduct, retail theft (first offense, under $150), underage drinking, and other summary offenses punishable by fine or up to 90 days in jail.
• Preliminary hearings: Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases start with a preliminary hearing before the MDJ to determine whether the Commonwealth has sufficient evidence to hold the case for trial at the Court of Common Pleas.
• Emergency PFA orders: When a judge of the Court of Common Pleas is unavailable (weekends, holidays), an MDJ can issue a temporary Protection From Abuse order — which expires at the resumption of Common Pleas court business or within 72 hours, whichever comes first.
• Search warrants: MDJs issue search warrants and arrest warrants for law enforcement.

Filing a Civil Complaint at the MDJ

To start a small claims case, you file a Civil Complaint (Form AOPC 308A) at the magisterial district court that has jurisdiction over your case. The form requires:

• Your name and address (plaintiff)
• The defendant's name and address
• The amount claimed (up to $12,000 plus costs)
• A summary of facts supporting your claim
• Your verification under penalty of law (18 Pa.C.S. § 4904)
• Certification of compliance with the Case Records Public Access Policy

Filing costs, postage, service costs, and constable education fees are added to your claim. Under Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 206, the prevailing party can recover these costs.

Private Criminal Complaints

In addition to civil cases, Pennsylvania allows private citizens to file Private Criminal Complaints (Form AOPC 411A) with the MDJ. Under Pa.R.Crim.P. 506, the complaint may require approval by the District Attorney's office before the MDJ can accept it. If the DA disapproves, you may petition the Court of Common Pleas for review. The complaint must set forth a summary of facts sufficient to advise the defendant of the nature of the offense — a bare citation to a statute is not enough.

Appeals from the MDJ

If you lose at the MDJ level, you have the right to appeal to the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas. This is a trial de novo — meaning the case starts over completely, as if the MDJ hearing never happened. The appeal must be filed within 30 days of the MDJ's judgment. Once appealed, the case proceeds under the regular Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. If you're considering an appeal, keep in mind that the costs — filing fees, attorney fees, and the time involved — may exceed what's at stake.

MDJ Courts vs. Court of Common Pleas