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Pennsylvania 42 Pa.C.S.A. PA ST Pt. II, Subpt. A, Art. B, Ch. 7 County Court of Common Pleas jurisdiction
§ 931. Original jurisdiction and venue.(a) General rule.--Except where exclusive original jurisdiction of an action or proceeding is by statute or by general rule adopted pursuant to section
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503 (relating to reassignment of matters) vested in another court of this Commonwealth, the courts of common pleas shall have unlimited original jurisdiction of all actions and proceedings, including all actions and proceedings heretofore cognizable by law or usage in the courts of common pleas. (b) Concurrent and exclusive jurisdiction.--The jurisdiction of the courts of common pleas under this section shall be exclusive except with respect to actions and proceedings concurrent jurisdiction of which is by statute or by general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 vested in another court of this Commonwealth or in the magisterial district judges. § 932. Appeals from minor judiciary. Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), each court of common pleas shall have exclusive jurisdiction of appeals from final orders of the minor judiciary established within the judicial district. § 933. Appeals from government agencies. (a) General rule.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), each court of common pleas shall have jurisdiction of appeals from final orders of government agencies in the following cases: (1) Appeals from Commonwealth agencies in the following cases: (i) Determinations of the Department of Health in connection with any matters concerning birth records. Except as prescribed by general rules, the venue of such matters shall be as provided in 20 Pa.C.S. § 711(9) (relating to birth records) and 20 Pa.C.S. § 713 (relating to special provisions for Philadelphia County). (ii) Determinations of the Department of Transportation appealable under the following provisions of Title 75 (relating to vehicles): Section 1377 (relating to judicial review). Section 1550 (relating to judicial review). Section 4724(b) (relating to judicial review). Section 7303(b) (relating to judicial review). Section 7503(b) (relating to judicial review). Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, the venue shall be in the county of the principal place of business of any salvor or messenger service, the location of any inspection station involved, the county where the arrest for a violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 (relating to driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance) was made in appeals involving the suspension of operating privileges under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1547 (relating to chemical testing to determine amount of alcohol or controlled substance) or the residence of any individual appellant where the venue is not otherwise fixed by this sentence. In the case of a nonresident individual venue, except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, shall be in the county in which the offense giving rise to the recall, cancellation, suspension or revocation of operating privileges occurred. (iii) (Deleted by amendment). (iv) Determinations of the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board appealable under the act of June 21, 1939 (P.L.566, No.284), known as The Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act. Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, the venue of such matters shall be as provided in section 427 of the act. (v) Determinations of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board appealable under the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, except matters appealable under section 433, 444 or 710 of the act. Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, the venue of such matters shall be as provided in the act. (vi) Determinations of the Department of Revenue reviewable under Article XXI of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, or under any predecessor statute, in connection with the administration of the estate of a decedent. Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, the venue of such matters shall be in the court having jurisdiction over the administration of the related estate. (vii) (Deleted by amendment). (viii) (Deleted by amendment). (ix) Determinations of the Department of Labor and Industry or the Department of Commerce reviewable under the act of December 15, 1980 (P.L.1203, No.222), known as the Building Energy Conservation Act. Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, venue shall be in the county where the building is located. (2) Appeals from government agencies, except Commonwealth agencies, under Subchapter B of Chapter 7 of Title 2 (relating to judicial review of local agency action) or otherwise. (3) Appeals jurisdiction of which is vested in the courts of common pleas by any statute hereafter enacted. (b) Awards of arbitrators.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503, each court of common pleas shall have jurisdiction of petitions for review of an award of arbitrators appointed in conformity with statute to arbitrate a dispute between a government agency, except a Commonwealth agency, and an employee of such agency. The application shall be deemed an appeal from a government agency for the purposes of section 762(4) (relating to appeals from courts of common pleas) and Chapter 55 (relating to limitation of time). (c) Concurrent and exclusive jurisdiction.--Except as otherwise provided by statute or prescribed by general rule adopted pursuant to section 503: (1) The jurisdiction of a court of common pleas of a judicial district under this section shall be exclusive as to a government agency which has jurisdiction only within such judicial district, and shall be concurrent with the courts of common pleas of all judicial districts in which the government agency has jurisdiction where such agency has jurisdiction in more than one judicial district. (2) Whenever proceedings are commenced in two or more courts with respect to the same determination of a government agency, exclusive jurisdiction shall be vested in the court having jurisdiction in which such proceedings are first commenced.
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 301 Unified judicial system
The judicial power of the Commonwealth shall be vested in a unified judicial system consisting of the:(1) Supreme Court.(2) Superior Court.(3) Commonwealth Court.(4) Courts of common pleas.(5) Community courts.(6) Philadelphia
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Municipal Court.(7) Pittsburgh Magistrates Court.(8) Traffic Court of Philadelphia.(9) Magisterial district judges. All courts and magisterial district judges and their jurisdiction shall be in this unified judicial system.
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 1123 Jurisdiction and venue - Philadelphia Municipal Court
(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), the Philadelphia Municipal Court shall have jurisdiction of the following
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matters:(1) Summary offenses, except those arising out of the same episode or transaction involving a delinquent act for which a petition alleging delinquency is filed under Chapter 63 (relating to juvenile matters). (2) Criminal offenses by any person (other than a juvenile) for which no prison term may be imposed or which are punishable by imprisonment for a term of not more than five years, including indictable offenses under Title 75 (relating to vehicles). In cases under this paragraph the defendant shall have no right of trial by jury in the municipal court, but shall have the right of appeal for trial de novo, including the right of trial by jury, to the court of common pleas. The judges of the municipal court exercising jurisdiction under this paragraph shall have the same jurisdiction in probation and parole arising out of sentences imposed by them as judges of the court of common pleas. (3) Matters arising under the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L. 69, No. 20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951.1 The judges of the Philadelphia Municipal Court shall have the power to enter judgments exceeding $5,000 in matters arising under this subsection. Appeals from a judgment of the municipal court under this subsection shall be to the court of common pleas in accordance with local rules of court established by the administrative judge of the trial division. Those rules shall not be inconsistent with Statewide rules of procedure as established by the Supreme Court. (4) Civil actions, except actions by or against a Commonwealth party as defined by section 8501 (relating to definitions), wherein the sum demanded does not exceed $12,000, exclusive of interest and costs, in the following classes of actions: (i) In assumpsit. (ii) In trespass, including all forms of trespass and trespass on the case. (iii) For fines and penalties by any government agency. A plaintiff may waive a portion of his claim of more than $12,000 so as to bring the matter within the monetary jurisdiction of the municipal court. Such waiver shall be revoked automatically if the defendant appeals the final order of the municipal court. In cases under this paragraph the defendant shall have no right of trial by jury in the municipal court, but shall have the right to appeal for trial de novo, including the right of trial by jury, to the court of common pleas, in accordance with local rules of court established by the administrative judge of the trial division. These rules shall not be inconsistent with Statewide rules of procedure as established by the Supreme Court. It is the purpose of this paragraph to establish an expeditious small claims procedure whereby it shall not be necessary for the litigants to obtain counsel. Judgments by confession shall not be entered in the municipal court. (5) As commissioners to preside at arraignments, fix and accept bail, issue warrants and perform duties of a similar nature, including the jurisdiction of a committing magistrate in all criminal proceedings. In addition to the exercise of the powers by the judges set forth in this paragraph, the Philadelphia Municipal Court, through the president judge and a majority of the judges of the court, shall have the power to appoint for four-year terms six arraignment court magistrates, to administer oaths and affirmations, preside at preliminary arraignments, assign counsel in certain cases, issue criminal complaints, fix bail and issue arrest warrants and search and seizure warrants. The arraignment court magistrates shall be employees of the Commonwealth and they shall receive an annual salary equal to the salary of an associate judge of the Traffic Court of Philadelphia. The method of selection and appointment and removal of arraignment court magistrates and establishing standards of conduct and the rights, responsibilities and authority of the arraignment court magistrates and the procedures for appealing from the decisions of the arraignment court magistrates shall be provided by local rules adopted by the municipal court. (5.1) In addition to the exercise of the powers by the judges set forth in this section, the President Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court may appoint arraignment court magistrates, persons who complete a training program as shall be provided by local rules adopted by the President Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court, or attorneys who are in good standing and are admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar as judges pro tempore to accept guilty pleas and impose sentences in accordance with pleas for summary offenses. A judge pro tempore must be an independent contractor hired by the Philadelphia Municipal Court and shall receive such compensation and shall serve at such hours as agreed to between the judge pro tempore and the President Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. The methods of selection, appointment and removal of judges pro tempore and of establishing standards of conduct and the rights, responsibilities and authority of the judges pro tempore and the procedures for appealing decisions of the judges pro tempore shall be provided by local rules adopted by the President Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. (6) Civil actions wherein the sum demanded does not exceed $15,000 in matters involving judgments of real estate taxes and school taxes levied by cities of the first class. (7) Actions to enjoin any nuisance caused by the operation of a licensee or occurring on licensed premises subject to the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L. 90, No. 21), known as the Liquor Code.2 (8) Any action to enjoin a public nuisance. The action to enjoin may be brought by any person who resides or has a place of business within 500 feet of the location of the alleged nuisance. (9) Prosecutions for summary offenses arising under: (i) Title 75; or (ii) an ordinance of a political subdivision enacted pursuant to Title 75. (a.1) Appeal from contempt citation or nuisance order.--There shall be a right to appeal to the Superior Court of a contempt citation issued by a municipal court judge, but the appeal shall be limited to a review of the record. There shall be a right of appeal to the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County of an order issued by a municipal court judge in any action under subsection (a)(7) or (8), but the appeal shall be limited to a review of the record. (b) Concurrent and exclusive jurisdiction.--The jurisdiction of the municipal court under this section shall be concurrent with the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County except with respect to matters specified in subsection (a)(2), as to which the jurisdiction of the municipal court shall be exclusive except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503.
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 1143 Pittsburg Magistrates Court - jurisdiction and venue
(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters) the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court shall have jurisdiction of all of
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the following matters:(1) Criminal complaints accusing any person of the commission of any felony or misdemeanor, where such felony or misdemeanor has been committed within the corporate limits of the City of Pittsburgh, and to issue warrants for the arrest of such person so accused, administer oaths and hold preliminary hearings in all such cases, and commit to jail, or bind over for trial or discharge such accused person, as the evidence produced at such hearing may warrant. The court shall have power to admit to bail as prescribed by general rules. (2) Arrests upon view, or upon complaint made and warrant issued, by the police of the City of Pittsburgh, of persons who may be found engaged in or be charged with drunkenness, disorderly conduct, selling liquor contrary to law, maintaining a disorderly house or bawdy house, lewd, indecent or lascivious behavior on the streets or elsewhere, gambling, creating riots or disturbances, vagrants, beggars, prostitutes, disturbers of the public peace, known or reputed pickpockets, burglars, thieves, watch stuffers, cheating, swindling, persons who abuse their families, and suspicious persons who can give no reasonable account of themselves, or violating any of the laws or ordinances of such city. (3) Civil claims for the recovery of fines and penalties imposed by any ordinance of the City of Pittsburgh, or by any ordinance or regulation relating to housing and health administered and enforced by a county health department where a violation takes place in such city, and cases of summary conviction arising under the laws and ordinances of or applicable to such city and under the laws, ordinances, rules and regulations relating to housing and health administered and enforced by a county department of health where a violation takes place in such city, with full power to hear the said cases, administer oaths or affirmations therein, decide the same, enforce the penalty, collect the fine or commit to prison as the case may be according to the provisions of the law and ordinances applicable thereto. (4) Matters within the jurisdiction of the court when sitting as the Traffic Court of Pittsburgh.
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 1302 (West) Traffic court - jurisdiction and venue
(a) General rule.--Except as set forth in subsection (a.1) or as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), each traffic court
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shall have jurisdiction of all prosecutions for summary offenses arising under:(1) Title 75 (relating to vehicles). (2) Any ordinance of any political subdivision enacted pursuant to Title 75.
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 1341 Third class city traffic courts authorized
Any city of the third class may establish by ordinance a traffic court which shall be a court not of record. The court shall be held by such of the
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magisterial district judges of the city as shall be designated by the president judge of the court of common pleas upon petition by the city. If established, the court shall be for the city so establishing it.
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Texas Tex. Const. Art. 5 Sec. 1 Judicial power; courts in which vested

The judicial power of this State shall be vested in one Supreme Court, in one Court of Criminal Appeals, in Courts of Appeals, in District Courts, in County Courts, in

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Commissioners Courts, in Courts of Justices of the Peace, and in such other courts as may be provided by law.

The Legislature may establish such other courts as it may deem necessary and prescribe the jurisdiction and organization thereof, and may conform the jurisdiction of the district and other inferior courts thereto.

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Texas Tex. Con. Art. 5 Sec. 19 Justices of the peace; jurisdiction; appeals; ex officio notaries public; times and places of holding court

Justice of the peace courts shall have original jurisdiction in criminal matters of misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only, exclusive jurisdiction in civil matters where the amount in controversy is

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two hundred dollars or less, and such other jurisdiction as may be provided by law. Justices of the peace shall be ex officio notaries public.

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Texas Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §26.045 Original Criminal Jurisdiction

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a county court has exclusive original jurisdiction of misdemeanors other than misdemeanors involving official misconduct and cases in which the highest fine that

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may be imposed is $500 or less.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a county court has jurisdiction in the forfeiture and final judgment of bonds and recognizances taken in criminal cases within the court's jurisdiction.

(c) Except as provided by Subsections (d) and (f), a county court that is in a county with a criminal district court does not have any criminal jurisdiction.

(d) A county court in a county with a population of 1.75 million or more has original jurisdiction over cases alleging a violation of Section 25.093, Education Code, or alleging truant conduct under Section 65.003(a), Family Code.

(e) Subsections (c) and (d) do not affect the jurisdiction of a statutory county court.

(f) A county court has concurrent jurisdiction with a municipal court in cases that arise in the municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction and that arise under an ordinance of the municipality applicable to the extraterritorial jurisdiction under Section 216.902, Local Government Code.

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Texas Tex. Gov't. Code § 22.001. Jurisdiction

(a) The supreme court has appellate jurisdiction, except in criminal law matters, of an appealable order or judgment of the trial courts if the court determines that the appeal presents

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a question of law that is important to the jurisprudence of the state. The supreme court's jurisdiction does not include cases in which the jurisdiction of the court of appeals is made final by statute.
(b) A case over which the court has jurisdiction under Subsection (a) may be carried to the supreme court by petition for review.

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Texas Jurisdiction of District Court Tex. Const. Art. 5 Sec. 8

District Court jurisdiction consists of exclusive, appellate, and original jurisdiction of all actions, proceedings, and remedies, except in cases where exclusive, appellate, or original jurisdiction may be conferred by this

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Constitution or other law on some other court, tribunal, or administrative body. District Court judges shall have the power to issue writs necessary to enforce their jurisdiction.
The District Court shall have appellate jurisdiction and general supervisory control over the County Commissioners Court, with such exceptions and under such regulations as may be prescribed by law.

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Texas Tex. Gov't. Code § 29.003 Jurisdiction

(a) A municipal court, including a municipal court of record, shall have exclusive original jurisdiction within the municipality's territorial limits and property owned by the municipality located in the municipality's

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extraterritorial jurisdiction in all criminal cases that:
(1) arise under:
(A) the ordinances of the municipality; or
(B) a resolution, rule, or order of a joint board operating an airport under Section 22.074, Transportation Code; and
(2) are punishable by a fine not to exceed:
(A) $2,000 in all cases arising under municipal ordinances or resolutions, rules, or orders of a joint board that govern fire safety, zoning, or public health and sanitation, other than the dumping of refuse;
(B) $4,000 in cases arising under municipal ordinances that govern the dumping of refuse; or
(C) $500 in all other cases arising under a municipal ordinance or a resolution, rule, or order of a joint board.
(b) The municipal court has concurrent jurisdiction with the justice court of a precinct in which the municipality is located in all criminal cases arising under state law that arise within the municipality's territorial limits or property owned by the municipality located in the municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction and that:
(1) are punishable only by a fine, as defined in Subsection (c); or
(2) arise under Chapter 106, Alcoholic Beverage Code, and do not include confinement as an authorized sanction.

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Texas Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 4.01 What Courts Have Criminal Jurisdiction

The following courts have jurisdiction in criminal actions:
1. The Court of Criminal Appeals;
2. Courts of appeals;
3. The district courts;
4. The criminal district courts;
5. The magistrates

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appointed by the judges of the district courts of Bexar County, Dallas County, Tarrant County, or Travis County that give preference to criminal cases and the magistrates appointed by the judges of the criminal district courts of Dallas County or Tarrant County;
6. The county courts;
7. All county courts at law with criminal jurisdiction;
8. County criminal courts;
9. Justice courts;
10. Municipal courts;
11. The magistrates appointed by the judges of the district courts of Lubbock County; and
12. The magistrates appointed by the El Paso Council of Judges.

Jurisdiction of the courts