{"id":376078,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:30","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/philadelphia-courthouses.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:48:36","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:48:36","slug":"philadelphia-courthouses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/philadelphia-courthouses.html","title":{"rendered":"Philadelphia Courthouses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Philadelphia Courthouses<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

It may be the City of Brotherly Love but many of Philadelphia\u2019s residents are no strangers to legal disputes and problems. If you are one of them, here is a helpful guide to some of the City\u2019s courthouses, starting with the state and local courts. This guide will have you feeling like a courthouse champion. You can breeze through City Center while you hum Gonna Fly Now <\/i>(just don\u2019t hit anybody!).<\/p>\n

Most of Philadelphia\u2019s courthouses are state and local courts which combine to make up the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. All of Philadelphia\u2019s First Judicial District courts are either Courts of Common Pleas or Municipal Courts. The courthouses themselves are assigned by subject matter, which may be the best way to figure out the right building to go to. <\/a><\/p>\n

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First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (Courts of Common Pleas and Municipal Courts)<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n City Hall\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    Broad and Market Streets<\/p>\n \n

    \n Philadelphia,<\/span>\n PA<\/span>\n 19107<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (215) 686-7974\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    City Hall serves as the home for the Complex Litigation Center, Mandatory Settlement Conferences, Discovery Court, civil courtrooms, and various court offices. Follow the link for a complete directory of Trial Division-Civil phone numbers<\/a> [PDF]. Many of the offices will be located in City Hall.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n Arbitration Center\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    1880 J.F.K. Blvd. 5th Floor<\/p>\n \n

    \n Philadelphia ,<\/span>\n PA<\/span>\n 19103<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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    Many civil actions must first proceed in arbitration. Philadelphia County has rules requiring arbitration for all civil cases with $50,000 or less in controversy (with important but limited exceptions). Consult with your attorney to know whether you must enter arbitration.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n The Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    1301 Filbert Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Philadelphia,<\/span>\n PA<\/span>\n 19107<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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    This court features criminal proceedings for the Courts of Common Pleas and Municipal Court. The building is also home to the Mental Health Court which meets every Thursday in Courtroom 905. The Preliminary Arraignment Courtroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Adult Probation and Parole Department\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    1401 Arch Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Philadelphia,<\/span>\n PA<\/span>\n 19102<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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    This courthouse is on the corner of Broad and Arch Streets and is home to Adult Probation proceedings.  If you need to make an Economic Sanction payment, you can send it by mail and address it to: \u201cAdult Probation\/Parole Department, Attn: Accounting Unit.\u201d Click here for more answers to frequently asked Probation\/Parole questions<\/a> [PDF].<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Family Division Courthouse\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    1801 Vine Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Philadelphia,<\/span>\n PA<\/span>\n 19103<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (215) 686-7466\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    This court handles cases involving juvenile crime, neglect and abuse, truancy, and adoptions. Individuals may call the court for payment information and with other general questions. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Domestic Relations Division\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    34 S. 11th Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Philadelphia,<\/span>\n PA<\/span>\n 19107<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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    This court handles issues with paternity, child support, child custody, divorce, and domestic violence. The Customer Service Center can answer many of your questions. The center is open M-F 8:00 A.M. \u2013 4:45 P.M. A customer service representative may be able to answer general questions by phone at (215) 686-7466. Parents do not have to visit the courthouse to pay child support: you can pay child support online<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Municipal Court Traffic Division\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    800 Spring Garden Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Philadelphia,<\/span>\n PA <\/span>\n 19123<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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    The Traffic Division is open 8:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, so you may not have to take off of work to handle your traffic matters. The court suggests that you pay your traffic citation here<\/a>. This court handles actual traffic citations and not parking and red light violations. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n Parking Violations Branch\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    913 Filbert Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Philadelphia,<\/span>\n PA <\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: 19107\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    You can visit the Parking Violations Branch in person, or you can pay your parking and red light violations online.<\/a> If you have questions, call (888) 591-3636. The office has customer service representatives to serve you in English or in Spanish.<\/p>\n

    Other Municipal Courts<\/a><\/h3>\n

    Please keep in mind that there may be separate locations for other courts such as the Philadelphia Treatment Court, DUI Treatment Court and Veterans Court. Additionally, The City operates Municipal Court Criminal Division courtrooms in police districts throughout the City. So, if you are visiting, be aware that a criminal court proceeding may not be in a traditional courthouse.<\/p>\n

    Call (215) 686-7000 for general court information.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    Federal Courts<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    601 Market Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Philadelphia,<\/span>\n PA<\/span>\n 19106<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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    Parking can be found near the Byrne courthouse<\/a>.  This courthouse is in City Center East. The building holds both the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit<\/a> and the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania<\/a>. <\/p>\n

    The Third Circuit maintains a webpage to help pro se litigants, individuals who do not have an attorney. The court\u2019s Information for Pro Se Litigants<\/i><\/a> [PDF] covers an overview of the appeals process, court rules, fees, legal definitions, answers to frequently asked questions, and many more useful items. If you have further questions, visit the court in person or online or call (215) 597-7704.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n Robert N.C. Nix Federal Building\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    900 Market Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Philadelphia,<\/span>\n PA<\/span>\n 19107<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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    Parking can be found near the Nix Federal Building<\/a>. The Federal Building is in City Center East and is home to several federal agencies and serves many non-court functions. The ADA accessible entrance is on the Market Street side of the building. The courtrooms and law library are located on the second floor. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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