Montgomery County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Montgomery County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Montgomery County.
What is the Burden of Proof?
The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.
Sentencing in Montgomery County
In Montgomery 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.
Montgomery County Criminal Court
Jury by Trial Right
The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.
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.
Montgomery County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Montgomery County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Montgomery County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Montgomery County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Montgomery County. The Montgomery County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.
Plea Agreements
A Plea Agreement, sometimes known as a Plea Bargain is an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest often in exchange for a lesser charge or lighter recommended sentence. A large majority of criminal cases end in a plea agreement. In Montgomery County you can inform your attorney to negotiate with the prosecution to attempt to come to a plea agreement, but this is dependent upon the charge severity and also the prosecutors willingness to accept a plea deal.
Right to an attorney
The US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment ensures the right to an attorney regardless of whether or not you can afford one. In Montgomery County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Jury Deliberations in Montgomery County
In Montgomery County, jury deliberations will take place in a jury trial after the prosecution and defense have presented their cases and rested. At this point, the judge will provide a list of instructions to the jury about what they are allowed and not allowed to do and what verdict options are available for them to decide. The jury will be sent to a private room to discuss the evidence presented in the case and attempt to reach a unaminous decision. When a unaminous decision is reached, the jury will inform the judge that they have reached a verdict and will return to the courtroom for the verdict to be read allowed. In the event that the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the jury results in a deadlock and a mistrial is declared.
Who can help me in Montgomery County?
For general information about your case the Montgomery County court clerk will be able to provide legal information about your specific criminal case. Legal information is not legal advice though, the court clerk will only be able to provide information about your case, like date/time of hearings what will occur at the hearing and what you may be required to do in the hearing. They cannot provide advice about what you should do or what the best legal options may be for your particular case. Only an attorney can provide legal advice and this is your best place for information about your specific criminal proceeding. If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney to represent you, a judge will appoint an attorney to represent you, this is most often a public defender.
Arraignments in Montgomery County
During an arraignment in Montgomery County, a defendant appears before the court and the judge reads the charges that have been filed against the accused and also informs the defendant of his/her rights. During the arraignment in Montgomery County, the defendant can choose to plead one of the following 1) Guilty 2) Not Guilty or 3) No Contest. If the defendant enters a plea of Not Guilty, a date for trial is set. In the event of a Guilty or No Contest Plea in Montgomery County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Required Court Appearances in Montgomery County
Any required court appearances in Montgomery 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.
Montgomery County Criminal Court Locations
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Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas – Clerk of Courts (Criminal)
Address: 2 E Airy St, PO Box 311, Norristown PA 19404
Phone: 610-278-3346 Fax: 610-278-5188 -
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas – Prothonotary (Civil)
Address: 2 E Airy St, PO Box 311, Norristown PA 19404
Phone: 610-278-3360 Fax: 610-278-5994 -
Montgomery County Orphans’ Court
Address: 1 Montgomery Plaza, PO Box 311, Norristown PA 19494
Phone: 610-278-3400 Fax: 610-278-3240 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-01
Address: 160 W Germantown Pike, Suite D5, Norristown PA 19401
Phone: 610-272-3029 Fax: 610-272-5080 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-02
Address: 7804 Montgomery Ave, Elkins Park PA 19027
Phone: 215-635-1535 Fax: 215-635-2256 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-03
Address: 8230 Old York Rd, Elkins Park PA 19027
Phone: 215-885-4796 Fax: 215-884-6530 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-04
Address: 1150 Old York Rd, Abington PA 19001
Phone: 215-887-2362 Fax: 215-887-2364 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-05
Address: 875 N Easton Rd, Glenside PA 19038
Phone: 215-885-4120 Fax: 215-885-2190 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-06
Address: 907 Montgomery Ave, Narberth PA 19072
Phone: 610-664-5262 Fax: 610-667-3120 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-07
Address: 116 Cricket Ave, Suite A, Ardmore PA 19003
Phone: 610-896-8585 Fax: 610-896-8601 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-08
Address: 1316 Bruce Rd, Oreland PA 19075
Phone: 215-572-7845 Fax: 215-572-7891 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-09
Address: 485 S Henderson Rd, King of Prussia PA 19406
Phone: 610-265-3950 Fax: 610-265-8932 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-10
Address: 1301 S Bethlehem Pike, Ambler PA 19002
Phone: 215-542-1262 Fax: 215-646-3588 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-11
Address: 1 Security Plaza, #101, Pottstown PA 19464
Phone: 610-326-9271 Fax: 610-326-4179 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-12
Address: 2093 E High St, Pottstown PA 19464
Phone: 610-326-9274 Fax: 610-326-8136 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-13
Address: 625 W Ridge Pike, Bldg B, #101, Conshohocken PA 19428
Phone: 610-828-0278 Fax: 610-828-6722 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-14
Address: 420 S York Rd, Condo C-F, Hatboro PA 19040
Phone: 215-957-5935 Fax: 215-957-5937 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-15
Address: 200 W Main St, Norristown PA 19401
Phone: 610-279-3332 Fax: 610-279-3010 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-16
Address: 754 E Johnson Hwy, Norristown PA 19401
Phone: 610-279-6226 Fax: 610-279-2423 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-17
Address: 121 E Chestnut St, Souderton PA 18964
Phone: 215-723-5900 Fax: 215-723-0508 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-18
Address: 601 Bethlehem Pike, Building D, #100, Montgomeryville PA 18936
Phone: 215-855-3946 Fax: 215-855-1975 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-19
Address: 497 W Ridge Pike, Limerick PA 19468
Phone: 610-495-8440 Fax: 610-495-8442 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-20
Address: 133 Level Rd, Collegeville PA 19426
Phone: 610-409-2515 Fax: 610-409-2517 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-21
Address: 653 Skippack Pike, #101, Blue Bell PA 19422
Phone: 215-646-8201 Fax: 215-646-4156 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-22
Address: 903 Sheehy Dr, Ste A, Horsham PA 19044
Phone: 215-675-2040 Fax: 215-675-2344 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-23
Address: 4002 Center Ave, PO Box 231, Lafayette Hill PA 19444
Phone: 610-828-5226 Fax: 610-828-0446 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-24
Address: 2047 Bridge Rd, Route 113, Schwenksville PA 19473
Phone: 610-584-4732 Fax: 610-584-4751 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-25
Address: 128 W 4th St, Bridgeport PA 19405
Phone: 610-277-3377 Fax: 610-277-3379 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-1-28
Address: 421 W Main St, Lansdale PA 19446
Phone: 215-393-7534 Fax: 215-393-7536 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-2-02
Address: 80 Gravel Pike, Unit H, #100, Red Hill PA 18076
Phone: 215-679-5811 Fax: 215-679-7561 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-2-03
Address: 1881 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville PA 19525
Phone: 610-326-1145 Fax: 610-326-6513 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-2-04
Address: 11 Union Ave, #100, Bala Cynwyd PA 19004
Phone: 610-668-1201 Fax: 610-668-1204 -
Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-2-08
Address: 102 York Rd, #100, Willow Grove PA 19090
Phone: 215-659-6840 Fax: 215-659-6903