About the Court.

The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania is composed of two courts which make up the Philadelphia Court System: the Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court. 

Cortez Patton is running for Municipal Court here in Philadelphia.

The MUNICIPAL COURT is a limited jurisdiction court. It is organized into three divisions: Criminal, Civil and Traffic. The Criminal Division is responsible for handling adult criminal cases carrying a maximum sentence of five (5) years incarceration. Municipal Court has initial jurisdiction in processing every criminal arrest in Philadelphia. Additionally, the Criminal Division conducts misdemeanor trials and preliminary hearings for all felony cases. The Civil Division is responsible for civil cases where the maximum amount in controversy is $12,000 (Small Claims). The Civil Division also hears Landlord-Tenant cases, there is no limit on the amount of money in controversy, and real estate and school tax cases where the maximum recovery is $15,000. Because defendants do not have the right to a jury trial in Municipal Court, cases may be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas. 

In June 2013, the Pennsylvania General Assembly abolished the Philadelphia Traffic Court and transferred jurisdiction for Pennsylvania Vehicle Code moving violations to the Municipal Court. Moving violations are now adjudicated in the Traffic Division.