AN EDUCATIONAL GUIDE BUCKS COUNTY Government & Courts System

www.BucksCounty.org BUCKS COUNTY, ea’s reputation as an artists’ colony and the Bucks County Playhouse PENNSYLVANIA as a popular summer theater. HISTORY Today, over 625,000 people reside One of the original counties in a county with approximately established by William Penn 8,800 acres of county-owned in the 17th century, Bucks parks, 13,000 acres in state parks County was named for Buck- and gamelands, colleges and uni- inghamshire, England, Penn’s Founded: versities, museums, quaint villag- ancestral home. .It is located 1682 es, sprawling farms, verdant rolling in the southeastern portion County Seat: hills, woodlands and waterways. of Pennsylvania between Doylestown Philadelphia, Allentown and Population: Despite a changing landscape and Trenton, NJ and bounded 625,249* rapid residential, commercial, and on the east by the Delaware Geography: industrial growth, the county is River. Bucks County was a 608 square steeped in its rich traditions and frontier territory when Penn miles of land demonstrates an enduring com- entered into a purchase treaty and 15.8 mitment to its natural resources. with the native Lenni Lenape square miles Bucks County remains an historic on July 15, 1682. The land of water. blend of scenic beauty, agricul- was soon settled by Quakers, Comprised of ture, arts and economic growth. Swedes and Germans, skilled 23 boroughs tradesmen and farmers who and 31 THE SEAL OF established a government in townships. BUCKS COUNTY 1683. In March, 1683, Wil- *U.S. Census liam Penn’s Council The county seat was at Bris- Bureau, ordered “that the tol from 1705 to 1726 when 2010 Census seal of the County of it was moved 10 miles north, Bucks be a tree and to Newtown, which served as a vine.” Penn had written that in Bucks the county seat for 87 years. In 1752 the county, which County “the woods yield us plums, grapes, peaches, originally extended to the New York Colony line, was strawberries and chestnuts in abundance.” The shield reduced to its present boundaries. As settlement crept came from the Penn family crest. Used to certify official northward, agitation documents until the American Revolution, the seal was began for changing the eventually supplanted by one with the official device of county seat to a more the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The old insignia is central location. In 1810, still used on County stationary and vehicles to denote Governor Simon Snyder Bucks County’s rich heritage. Large replicas of it in tile, signed an Act appointing made by Dr. Henry Chapman Mercer, may be seen at the a commission to select a Mercer Museum in Doylestown and the State Capitol in new site. The hilltop tract Harrisburg. they chose has contin- ued to serve as the seat THE FLAG OF BUCKS COUNTY of Bucks County for 200 The Bucks County flag incorporates the county seal that years. Since 1812, three was inspired by William Penn. With blue and gold adopt- successive courthouses ed as the official county colors in 1962, the Bucks County William Penn have occupied the site. Commissioners designed the flag as a “gold emblem on field of blue.” The green band around the seal represents Indeed, the county is rich with history. It is where the natural beauty that continues to inspire people who Gen. George Washington and his beleaguered troops come to Bucks County. The field of blue is standard flag camped before setting out across the Delaware to wage proportion-2 units vertically to 3 units horizontally. The the pivotal Revolutionary War battle in Trenton. Later he gold emblem is centered and takes roughly the center would lend his name to the Bucks County site: Washing- third (width-wise) of the flag. It is trimmed in standard ton Crossing. gold color fringe. At one time, several, important colonial figures visited or lived in Bucks County and the small, riverfront commu- nity of Morrisville was being considered to become the site of the new nation’s capital. While farming dominated early Bucks County, the past includes a fascinating arts scene. Less than a two-hour drive from New York, the county was a popular retreat for many prominent 20th century writers, artists and Broadway celebrities who established the New Hope ar- BUCKS COUNTY GOVERNMENT - -

Sheriff Coroner Controller Prothonotary Clerk of Courts Register of Wills District Attorney Recorder of DeedsRecorder David Heckler David Theresa Farley Theresa Jury Commissioner Jury Commissioner Donald Petrille Joseph Szafran Joseph Szafran Mary Smithson Debra DeBlasio Debra Patricia Bachtle Patricia Edward Donnelly Edward Raymond McHughRaymond Dr. Joseph Campbell Dr. of Judges makes an interim appointment to the Office of District Attorney. The row officers receive office space and budget allocations from the commissioners’ of fice, but primarilyindependently. function ------ROW OFFICERS ROW OF BUCKS COUNTY OF BUCKS MISSION STATEMENT STATEMENT MISSION * Coordinating the effortscounty and depart divisions of the * Coordinating good the common and working for together ments, mission. achieving this to Each of us is commited * Being responsive to the changing health and welfare, safety safety welfare, health and the changing to * Being responsive and taxpayers needs of Bucks County and informational public state quality* Delivering service county, and administering and professional in a people sensitive programs and federal manner on based resources available our * Managing and targeting the prioritizing needs of the county and on integrity * Conducting with focus business county responsibility fiscal Serve and efficiently effectively the public by: governor may make terim an in appointment successor can be until elected, The a Board Pleas Common of Court from these offices. Dog and hunting licenses are issued, as well as sportsman firearm registrations. Row prosecute cases, maintain the officers county’s auditing responsibil ity, enforce the law in juries for provide and matters, court of peers. Some of the row officers run for election in the same year as the County Commission ers; the others run two years later. In case of death or res ignation of a row officer, the Attorney, Jury Commission of Recorder Prothonotary, ers, Deeds, Register of Wills, Sher iff and Treasurer. The title of row officer came about in the de early the when constitution the years of partments were first listed in a row on the election ballot. Their services might be more their than residents to familiar actual office titles - residents get passports, censes, and marriage death certificates li Each of the county’s 10 row officers is elected at large in the county for term. a As four-year Commonwealth specified of by Pennsyl include officers row law, vania the the following: Clerk of Courts, Controller, Coroner, District - - - - Chairman Vice Chairman Vice Charles H. MartinCharles Robert G. Loughery Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOARD county’s extensive parks system. parks system. extensive county’s Among Among their other responsibilities are: registration, voter elections, maintenance county’s of 115 bridges, the Bucks all County county Community buildings, College and the the county budget and set the real estate tax rate. A county budget is adopted annually by January 1. along with the County Controller and elected officials. row They are responsible for all and county county properties; finances compile and execute sions. They approve the hiring of all county em county all of hiring the approve They sions. ployees and, as members of the county salary board, determine employees’ compensation The The duties of wide-ranging. The a Commissioners appoint all County Commissioner department heads and are most members of the county’s 37 boards, authorities and commis candidates, candidates, ensuring minority party represen The Commissioners choose tation. one of their members as chairperson each year. elected countywide to four-year terms. major Both political parties are represented in of the Commonwealth. with the laws cordance ac Votes are cast for two of four Commissioner The The Board consists of three members who are BUCKS COUNTY GOVERNMENT ing. on the5th floor of the administration build offices have Officer Commissioners, Operating Chief and Clerk Chief County The rate buildingacrossthestreet. sepa a in held are proceedings courtrooms, Court Family rooms. conference and jury and chambers seven judges’ includes which County Pleas, Common of Bucks Court the houses ing build the of portion round The the presentsite. occupied have courthouses sive dedicated in 1960. Three succes and million $3.5 of cost a at built was Doylestown St., 55 Court East at building seven-story a is Building house/Administration Court County Bucks current The day, seven-day-a-week operations-Neshaminy nursinghome, Manor facilities, Correction Youth Center, Emergency The county hasapproximatelyThe employees. county are employed 2,600fullandpart-time Avastmajority inthe24-hour-a- COURTHOUSE/ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 1) Churchville Nature Center 7) Oxford Valley Course Golf 4) Frosty Hollow Tennis 3) Ervin Stower3) Ervin House 6) Moravian Pottery & 8) Oxford Valley Pool 5) 2) Tile Works Center PARK FACILITIES - - - - - proved securitymeasures. im for provide and rooms, ence confer and courtrooms ditonal ad feature will facility new The facility. that in overcrowding to con – led has – St Main N. 30 at ducted caseload Relations’ tic Domes addition, In percent. 18 than more grown has cases nal crimi of number the 2005, Since 625,000 residents and 13 judges. residents and four judges. Today, there are 310,000 had Bucks County constructed, was house court existing the When in July, 2011. which ground broke Center, officially Justice million $84 an constructing of process the in currently is County Bucks 13) Silver LakeNature Center 9) Churville Nature Center9) Churville 15) Stover-Myers Park Mill BUCKS COUNTY WORKFORCE 18) Tohickon Valley Pool 17) Tohickon Valley Park 12) Ringing Rocks Park Rocks 12) Ringing 10) 14) Silver LakePark n fclte located throughout thecounty: facilities and offices in residents its to services of variety a provides County Bucks 11) Playwicki Park11) Playwicki 16) Services, Security and9-1-1. Security Services, A) Almshouse Center E) Neshaminy Manor GOVERNMENT B) BucksCounty D) Government Services Center Services Center Services C) Government C) F) 9-1-1Center Courthouse OFFICES (Upper) (Lower) ------1813-1878 1960-Present 1878-1960 Justice Center. offutureRendering Bucks County BUCKS COUNTY’S COURTHOUSES JUDICIAL BASICS ------hears: www.courts.state.pa.us hears: rendered Superior Court Court Commonwealth

Dispute develops Dispute The next pyramid level includes two inter two includes level The next pyramid courts:mediate 3 criminal in * Appeals cases and most civil Courts Pleas the Common cases from Courts Pleas on Common from * Appeals and families children involving matters 4 and by civil cases broughy * Original against the Commonwealth agencies state decisions by from * Appeals Courts Pleas Common and from and local the Commonwealth involving agencies sentencing sentencing the defendant, usually at a later hearing. In a civil case, the jury determines whether the plain tiff has proven the case and, if any, damages to award. Under certain circumstances, the overrule the jury’s determination or judges damage award. may A trial may be held by a judge with out a jury’s involvement. instance, the judge hears In all of the this testimony witnesses’ and attorneys’ out the determines and arguments estab upon based case the of come lished law. guilty and, in limited instances may determine a penalty. is however, responsible for formally The judge, Complaint filed and servedComplaint Both evidence sides gather - - sides to decide possible settlement sides to include every type of legal action except Defendant may be required to file an answer to be required may Defendant If there is not settlement, trial takes place and a verdict is and a verdict trial takes place If is not settlement, there Pre-trial conference among judge and attorneys for both for among judge and attorneys Pre-trial conference ither party courts the appelate can appeal the decision to E 4 Civil matters Civil criminal actions dis contract such as: personal injuries, faulty and goods. consumer divorces adoptions, putes, his/ must prove partyThe or plaintiff, suit, bringing a judge or jury evidence presenting her case before by than the opposing evi persuasive is more there that the proof is unlike a criminal case where This dence. Some doubt. aspects a reasonable of must be beyond support of child custody civil cases (notably in divorce, quasi-judicial officers— before be heard may matters) etc. officers, hearing or conference masters, 1 2 5 - 3

, which is the highest judicial authority in the state. The seven-member court: seven-member The authority, which is the highest judicial in the state. presented, each attorney presents a presents attorney each presented, tried is case the If argument. closing before a jury, the the judge jury instructs on how to apply to the the case. law Jurors deliberate vately pri in making a determination. In criminal case, a jury determines not or guilty is defendant a whether judge and/or the attorneys to en sure that he/she is qualifiedto hear chosen are jurors the After case. the and sworn in, attorneys present an opening statement to the jury outline what each side believes the to will show. evidence the up make testimony and Exhibits evidence presented by each in a side case. After all the evidence is , - - - - IN THE CASE OF CRIMINAL VS. CIVIL VS. THE CASE CRIMINAL OF IN , which Supreme Court Supreme Magisterial DistrictMagisterial , Philadelphia Mu Philadelphia Arrest takes place Arrest Allege crimeAllege occurs , the Commonwealth, represented Common Pleas Courts Common unsucessful, to Supreme Court Supreme to unsucessful, Pittsburgh Municipal Courts Pittsburgh If there is a convection, a sentencing hearing is held a sentencing If is a convection, there Philadelphia Traffic Philadelphia , and , Preliminary hearing is held ordinarily in one of the base hearingPreliminary is held ordinarily criminal case Defendant can appeal conviction to Superior Court to if can appeal conviction and, Defendant level courts trial bring the case to level whether to determine to Trial takes place (jury takes place Trial or non-jury) pleads guilty or defendant At the base-level the At are At the top of the pyramid is the of the pyramid the top At

At mid-level are the are mid-level At

proves to a jury or to a judge hearing the case without a jury, that a defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, that person stands convicted and can face penalties such as prison, fines or probation. Felony charges, such as murder or arson, carry the most severe penalties while misdemeanors and sum mary offenses carry lesser penalties. If the prosecutor a criminal charge before the courts because of a violation of the criminal law is considered an offense against the community. An individual can be charged with a felony, misdemeanor or summary offense. In a by the District Attorney or Attorney General, brings are are released randomly from ous sources. vari Each potential is juror asked questions by either the HOW A CASEHOW MOVES In a jury trial, prospective jurors Even when Even a jury is both permitted, sides in a case can the agree case tried before a judge to rather have than a jury. in Common Pleas Courts. are no juries in There Supreme or Supe rior courts, and only rarely are ries used ju in Commonwealth Court. A case—whether civil or criminal— may be tried before a jury judge with or a a judge presiding. Juries are primarily available in trials held HOW A COURT OPERATES A COURT HOW murder, should go to Common Pleas Court Pleas Common should go to murder, * Less serious, non criminal, civil and all traffic civil and all traffic non criminal, serious, * Less cases pertaining * Matters bail to such as serious criminalWhether cases, * 1 nicipal Judges hear: * Has the power to take control of any case pending in any Pennsylvania Court Pennsylvania case pending in any of any take control to * Has the power court system Pennsylvania the entire authority over * Has administrative 5 Courts * Hears discretionary the Superior and Commonwealth appeals from Courts Pleas in certain the Common penalty the such as death * Hears direct cases and direct from appeals from appeals matters court in that originated Court have in cases that Commonwealth PENNSYVANIA’S JUDICIAL SYSTEM JUDICIAL PENNSYVANIA’S for courtThe entry the into system level System. Judicial a Unified for provides Constitution Commonwealth’s The the base of the pyramid. is at most Pennsylvanians * All major criminal * All and civil cases the courts from jurisdiction * Appeals of limited matters criminal and traffic in civil, and families children involving * Matters 2 which hear: BUCKS COUNTY COURT SYSTEM cases annually. approxi criminal 10,000 receiveapproximately process and $16,000,000 Courts approximately manage annually, District cases 130,000 mately County Bucks The of limit jurisdictional a $12,000 aswellparkingviolations. to up complaints tenant lord arraignments land and civil of handling the hearings, preliminary and of inclusive complaints criminal private and criminal processing as and well as traffic citations non-traffic all adjudicating for responsible are District Courts Magisterial clerks. judicial 113 approximately throughout Bucks County inclusive of the 20 judges and located Courts District Magisterial 20 has County Bucks and of Oyer Terminer andGeneral toof CommonCourts Pleas -- Courts tion of 1968 there existed in addition Commonwealth’sthe to or Constitu were given constitutional status. Pri they which under 1776, of stitution in Con the since existed least trial at Pennsylvania have general They of jurisdiction. courts sylvania’s Penn are Pleas Common of Courts HISTORY less than$12,000. is controversy in amount the where Ithas cases civil in jurisdiction cases. concurrent summary and all traffic hears and cases, misdemeanor and felony all in authority courts) issuing - (special courts jurisdiction limited of system court twenty a for and provides administrative services Library, Law the services, Relations County Youth Center), and Domestic Bucks the (including Probation nile Probation,JuveAdult all supervises It Doylestown. in located is and es), thirteen judges (and two senior judg of consists Court The matters. bate) Orphan’sFamily,Civil,and (Pro inal, established in 1683, it hears all Crim Judicial District of Pennsylvania. First 7th the is county, 2A class a County, The Court of Common Pleas of Bucks COMMON PLEAS BUCKS COUNTY COURT OF ------The Common Pleas Courts are orga are Courts Pleas Common The COMPOSITION Pleas Courts. Common existing into incorporated them and courts separate latter these abolished constitution Orphans’Peaceand Courts. new The the of Sessions Quarter Delivery, Jail ugs Jde ae lce t ten- year terms. to elected are Judges judges. coun 95 to one two from has district Each ties. of comprised are tricts dis the of however,seven counties; geographic Commonwealth’s the the of boundaries follow generally which districts judicial 60 into nized DISTRICT COURTSDISTRICT - - affirmations andtakeacknowledgements. oaths and may administer System, Judicial Unified nia Pennsylva the of officers as Judges, District Magisterial for courtandreferredontotheCourtofCommonPleas. held or court to waived dismissed, are charges the ing hear preliminary the of conclusion the At hearing. nary prelimi a afforded and arraigned preliminarily are they where Courts District the in filed are cases of categories violations are more commonly called court cases. These phases of murder offenses. All misdemeanor and felony initial the including offenses felony and misdemeanor and summary other through violations parking includes cases criminal in Judges’jurisdiction District Magisterial - - - tt ad ot oa government local agencies. most and state certain from appeals hear also They Judges). District Magisterial by over referredpresided courts, tominor as (also courts special the from ments over appellateand judg jurisdiction ex court another not to assigned clusively cases all over jurisdiction original have Courts Pleas Common JURISDICTION Hon. C. Theodore Fritsch Jr. Hon. R. Barry McAndrews Hon. R.Barry Hon. Wallace H.Bateman Hon. Albert J. Cepparulo Hon.Albert Hon. JamesM.McMaster Hon. Alan M.Rubenstein Hon. Susan Devlin Scott, Hon. SusanDevlin Hon. DianeE. Gibbons Hon. Robert J. Mellon Hon.Robert Hon. Jeffrey L. Finley Hon. Robert O.Hon. Robert Baldi Hon. Clyde W. Waite SENIOR JUDGES Hon. Rea B.Hon. Rea Boylan Hon. Gary Gilman Hon. Gary Hon. JohnJ. Rufe President Judge District Court 07-1-04 inLevittown. Court District JUDGES - - - - - WHO’S WHO IN THE COURTROOM

COURT REPORTERS Court Reporters perform technical stenograph- ic duties in taking and transcribing verbatim notes of legal proceedings, both criminal and civil and prepares a complete and accurate re- cord of such proceedings. Once transcribed, the court reporter certifies the accuracy of transcriptions. Court Reporters may be called upon to read from notes in the courtroom or in Judges’ chambers. Court Reporters are also available to take notes at deposition hearings, preliminary hearings, etc. In addition, the Court Reporters provide real-time transcription for the hearing impaired. There are twenty-one (21) Court Reporters employed by the Court in

a full time capacity. SYSTEM COURT COUNTY BUCKS

MINUTE CLERKS The Minute Clerks are responsible for keeping View of Doylestown Borough from Courthouse roof. an accurate record of all courtroom proceed- ings. They are responsible for swearing in all JURY SERVICE witnesses and the members of the jury. Respon- Jurors must be U.S. citizens, 18 years of age and be able to sible for picking up files prior to court hearings read and understand English. Prospective jurors are selected and returning them to the appropriate court of- from various sources. Modest juror compensation is set by fice for docketing. They aid in the jury selection state law. Citizens are also called to serve on grand juries by process by keeping accurate record and keep a county prosecutor or by the Attorney General. accurate time records of all jury trials, motions, etc. MARRIAGE LICENSES, ADOPTIONS, WILLS, DEEDS, CASE FILES Several row officers maintain criminal and civil records in TIPSTAVES Bucks County’s Common Pleas Court. The Register of Wills and Orphan’s Courts maintains wills, marriage licenses and Tipstaves are responsible for maintaining or- records for adoptions and termination actions. The Recorder der in the courtroom. Opens court when the of Deeds maintains deeds within the county. The Prothono- Judge enters the courtroom. Tipstaves are also tary’s Office maintains most civil information while the Clerk responsible for overseeing the jury and their of Courts maintains criminal information. With the exception needs, which include ordering lunch when the of adoption records, civil and criminal court records, deeds, jury is deliberating, seeing that they do not read marriage license records and real estate records are gener- newspapers that may contain details of the tri- ally open to the public. al, and seeing to it that no one involved in the trial; e.g., attorneys, witnesses, reporters, have CHILD SUPPORT, DIVORCE, CUSTODY, PFAs any contact with jurors. They call witnesses, attorneys, and other persons when needed in The Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction over family law the courtroom. Tipstaves will fill any courtroom matters: divorce, property division, alimony, child custody, where the need arises. child and spousal support, paternity and Protection from Abuse orders. While most of these cases originate in the Pro- thonotary’s office, children and family matters are handled in Domestic Relations. LAW LIBRARY The Law Library, which is maintained by the Court of Com- mons Pleas, acts as a legal information center for the judicia- ry, prosecutors, public defenders, attorneys and the public. It is located on the 1st floor of the Courthouse. JUVENILE COURT The Juvenile Court decides cases involving children younger than 18 who are charged with misdemeanors or felonies, or who are alledged to be abused or neglected. Judges as- signed to Juvenile Court have a wide range of services avail- Inside view of Courtroom 7. able for assisting children found in delinquent or dependent, including residential programs and foster care. Lake Towhee Park.

BUCKS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Robert G. Loughery, Chairman Charles H. Martin, Vice Chairman Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW

Brian Hessenthaler, Chief Operating Officer Lynn T. Bush, Chief Clerk

BUCKS COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS Hon. Susan Devlin Scott, President Judge

COMMISSIONERS’ OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION 55 East Court Street Doylestown, PA 18901 215-348-6415

www.BucksCounty.org