Delaware County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Delaware County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Delaware County.
What is Jury Deliberation?
After both the prosecution and defense have presented their cases, the judge in the case will provide instructions to the jury about what they must decide. The jury will be dismissed to the jury room where they will deliberate about the guilt or innocence of the defendant. After reaching a unaminous decision, they return their decision to the court where it is read aloud in the courtroom. If the jury is unable to reach a unaminous decision, the jury is deadlocked, also known as a hung jury, in which a mistrial will be declared.
Burden of Proof
The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.
Delaware County Criminal Court
What is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.
Required Court Appearances in Delaware County
Any required court appearances in Delaware County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.
Appealing a guilty verdict
A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.
I need help for my Delaware County criminal case
The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Delaware County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Delaware County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.
Sentencing in Delaware County
In Delaware County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.
Delaware County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Delaware County will take place at the Delaware County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Delaware County Criminal Court Locations.
Right to Jury Trial
For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.
What happens in Delaware County at an arraignment?
In Delaware County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
The Right to Counsel
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.
Prosecutor in Delaware County
In Delaware County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Delaware County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Pennsylvania. For the most part, the prosecutor in Delaware County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Delaware County Criminal Court Locations
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Delaware County Court of Common Pleas
Address: 201 W Front St, #126, Media PA 19063
Phone: 610-891-4370 Fax: 610-891-7257 -
Delaware County Orphans’ Court
Address: 201 W Front St, Media PA 19063
Phone: 610-891-4400 Fax: 610-891-4812 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-20
Address: 160 E Seventh St, Chester PA 19013
Phone: 610-876-2151 Fax: 610-874-7864 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-21
Address: 160 E Seventh St, Chester PA 19013
Phone: 610-874-7180 Fax: 610-874-7864 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-22
Address: 160 E Seventh St, Chester PA 19013
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Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-23
Address: 100 Clifton Ave, Collingdale PA 19023
Phone: 610-534-3443 Fax: 610-534-5978 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-24
Address: 796 Parkway Blvd, Broomall PA 19008
Phone: 610-338-2250 Fax: 610-338-2253 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-25
Address: 525 W Chester Pike, Havertown PA 19083
Phone: 610-449-8250 Fax: 610-789-9167 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-26
Address: 1550 Garrett Rd, Upper Darby PA 19082
Phone: 610-626-6900 Fax: 610-622-2751 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-27
Address: 4655 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square PA 1907
Phone: 610-356-7430 Fax: 610-356-0692 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-28
Address: 349 W Baltimore Ave, PO Box 97, Media PA 19063
Phone: 610-566-0872 Fax: 610-566-2732 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-30
Address: 100 MacDade Blvd, Folsom PA 19033
Phone: 610-532-0320 Fax: 610-532-0953 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-31
Address: 1201 Haverford Rd, Crum Lynne PA 19022
Phone: 610-833-2581 Fax: 610-833-2651 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-32
Address: 56 Powell Rd, Springfield PA 19064
Phone: 610-543-2366 Fax: 610-543-1920 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-33
Address: 1550 Garrett Rd, Upper Darby PA 19082
Phone: 610-626-6900 Fax: 610-623-0463 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-34
Address: 1550 Garrett Rd, Upper Darby PA 19082
Phone: 610-626-6900 Fax: 610-622-2751 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-35
Address: 1550 Garrett Rd, Upper Darby PA 19082
Phone: 610-626-6900 Fax: 610-623-0463 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-1-36
Address: 526 W Ridge Rd, Linwood PA 19061
Phone: 610-859-9748 Fax: 610-859-9751 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-37
Address: 1023 Chester Pike, Sharon Hill PA 19079
Phone: 610-534-5974 Fax: 610-534-4897 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-37
Address: 819 Summit St, Darby PA 19023
Phone: 610-534-3504 Fax: 610-534-0714 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-38
Address: 1 New Rd, Aston PA 19014
Phone: 610-558-3520 Fax: 610-558-3528 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-39
Address: 2 Cambridge Rd, #300, Brookhaven PA 19015
Phone: 610-874-8178 Fax: 610-874-7893 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-40
Address: 21 Bartram Ave, Glenolden PA 19036
Phone: 610-583-6646 Fax: 610-583-1197 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-41
Address: 1555 Elmwood Ave, Folcroft PA 19032
Phone: 610-583-6645 Fax: 610-583-6316 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-42
Address: 36 E Boon Ave, Glenolden PA 19036
Phone: 610-583-6647 Fax: 610-583-0386 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-43
Address: 4655 W Chester Pike, Newtown Square PA 19073
Phone: 610-356-2997 Fax: 610-356-0692 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-44
Address: 1028 Lincoln Ave, Prospect Park PA 19076
Phone: 610-534-5627 Fax: 610-534-5610 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-46
Address: 939 N Providence Rd, Media PA 19063
Phone: 610-566-3495 Fax: 610-566-7016 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-47
Address: 536 Church Lane, Yeadon PA 19050
Phone: 610-259-8848 Fax: 610-259-8920 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-48
Address: 27 S Pennell Rd, PO Box 93, Lima PA 19037
Phone: 610-565-4110 Fax: 610-565-1640 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-49
Address: 485 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills PA 19342
Phone: 610-558-3605 Fax: 610-558-3618 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-51
Address: 1550 Garrett Rd, Upper Darby PA 19082
Phone: 610-626-6900 Fax; 610-623-0463 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-52
Address: 409 Ashland Ave, #1, Secane PA 19018
Phone: 610-622-8102 Fax: 610-622-8105 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-53
Address: 525 W Chester Pike, Havertown PA 19083
Phone: 610-449-5189 Fax: 610-789-9167 -
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-54
Address: 56 Powell Rd, Springfield PA 19064
Phone: 610-690-7668 Fax: 610-543-1920