Pennsylvania Legal Overview: Pittsburg The Pittsburgh metropolitan area in Pennsylvania is defined by the Census Bureau as covering Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties. The Pittsburgh, PA MSA is a part of the larger Pittsburgh-New Castle, PA CSA. This combined statistical area includes the seven counties of the Pittsburgh MSA in addition to the New Castle micropolitan area (Lawrence County, PA). The court of common pleas in each county is the main trial court with general jurisdiction. Listed below are the main cities in the Pittsburgh metro area.
Top Pennsylvania cities for Legal Issues: Pittsburgh
1. Allegheny County is covered under the Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas located in Pittsburgh is the county’s main trial court with general jurisdiction over everything from felonies to divorce cases and civil disputes that exceed $12,000. The Magisterial District Courts in Pittsburgh have limited jurisdiction over traffic citations, misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, arraignments, and civil cases that do not exceed $12,000. The magisterial district court judges can also set and accept bail, and issue arrest warrants and protective orders.
Trending Legal Topics: Appeals against trial court verdicts in all seven counties in the Pittsburgh metro area can be filed with the Pennsylvania Superior Court. This court is one of the two intermediate appellate courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The other one is the Commonwealth Court, which takes on appeals against government agency verdicts and rulings. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the court of last resort. Federal cases may be filed with the Pittsburgh Division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. |