Magisterial District Court 05-2-02 – Pittsburgh, PA

Magisterial District Court 05-2-02: Ross and West View

Jurisdiction and Services

Magisterial District Court 05-2-02, presided over by the Honorable Richard G. Opiela, serves the residents of Ross Township and West View Borough. This local court is the first level of the judiciary in Pennsylvania, handling a high volume of minor criminal and civil matters. It provides a community-based forum for resolving disputes and enforcing laws. Key services include:

• Traffic Citations: Processing payments and holding hearings for speeding tickets, red light violations, and other moving infractions issued by local police.
• Preliminary Arraignments and Hearings: The initial stage for criminal cases (felonies and misdemeanors) to determine bail and if there is enough evidence to proceed to the Court of Common Pleas.
• Civil Complaints: Adjudicating small claims lawsuits up to $12,000 involving contract disputes or property damage.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes: Handling eviction proceedings and rent recovery cases.
• Summary Offenses: Resolving non-traffic citations such as disorderly conduct, harassment, and truancy.

Office Information

The court is located on Perry Highway (Route 19), a major thoroughfare in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh. The office maintains standard business hours for filing paperwork and paying fines. Payment methods typically include cash, money orders, and certified checks; personal checks are often not accepted for fines. Credit card payments can be made via the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's online portal. Visitors attending a hearing should arrive early and be prepared for security checks. Cell phones must be silenced. The court is accessible via public transit, with bus stops located nearby on Perry Highway.