Pennsylvania’s Courts of Common Pleas are the state’s principal trial courts. They are organized into 60 judicial districts, usually following county boundaries. Some districts combine two counties; Venango County is the 28th Judicial District.

What the court handles

A county Court of Common Pleas generally hears:
  • Criminal cases, including felonies, serious misdemeanors, jury trials, sentencing, and appeals from magisterial district courts.
  • Civil cases, including contracts, personal injuries, property disputes, injunctions, and claims beyond the monetary jurisdiction of a magisterial district judge.
  • Family matters, such as divorce, custody, child and spousal support, protection-from-abuse cases, and juvenile proceedings.
  • Orphans’ Court matters, including estates, guardianships, adoptions, and certain trust proceedings.
  • Appeals from magisterial district judges and certain county or municipal boards and agencies.
The Pennsylvania Constitution gives each Court of Common Pleas unlimited original jurisdiction, except where another law assigns a matter to a different court. Pennsylvania Constitution, Article V

County-level organization

Each judicial district has a president judge and may have additional judges. Supporting county offices commonly include:
  • District Court Administrator — oversees court operations and scheduling.
  • Clerk of Courts — maintains criminal records.
  • Prothonotary — maintains civil records.
  • Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court — manages estates and Orphans’ Court filings.
  • Domestic Relations Section — administers support cases.
  • Adult and Juvenile Probation departments — supervise individuals under court orders.
The Courts of Common Pleas sit above magisterial district courts and below Pennsylvania’s appellate courts—the Superior Court, Commonwealth Court, and Supreme Court. Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania