Magisterial District Courts are the first level of Pennsylvania's court system. In Delaware County they sit within the 32nd Judicial District, and each is assigned specific municipalities, wards or precincts. District Court 32-2-53 is assigned Haverford Township and Upper Darby Township Ward 4 (Precincts 5, 6, 7 and 11) and Ward 5 Precinct 10.
In criminal matters, a Magisterial District Judge may handle preliminary arraignments, set initial bail when acting as the bail authority, issue certain warrants and hold preliminary hearings. District courts also hear summary, traffic and some civil matters, but this guide focuses on criminal cases and bail.
The office is on West Chester Pike in Havertown, the main community within Haverford Township. Court 32-2-53 is not one of the Barclay Square courts in Upper Darby, even though it hears some Upper Darby precincts.
When a case is held for court after a preliminary hearing, it moves to the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas in Media for formal arraignment, motions, pleas, trial and sentencing.