Magisterial District Court 05-2-27 – Pittsburgh, PA

Magisterial District Court 05-2-27: South Side and Neighbors

Court Overview

Located on Sarah Street in the historic South Side district, Magisterial District Court 05-2-27 serves as a foundational judicial body for a significant portion of Pittsburgh. This court is part of the Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania and holds jurisdiction over Pittsburgh Wards 6 and 9. The area covered includes the vibrant South Side Flats and Slopes neighborhoods. The court provides a forum for fair and expeditious resolution of public and private disputes, handling thousands of cases annually ranging from traffic violations to preliminary criminal arraignments.

Services and Functions

This District Court acts as the first level of the judiciary for residents in its jurisdiction. Key services provided to the public include:

• Traffic Court: Adjudication of speeding tickets, red light violations, and parking citations issued within the district.
• Civil Judgments: processing small claims suits involving contracts, torts, and consumer disputes up to a jurisdictional limit of $12,000.
• Landlord-Tenant Relations: Managing filings for recovery of possession of real property and rent arrears.
• Summary Criminal Proceedings: Hearing cases involving non-traffic summary citations such as disorderly conduct or public intoxication.
• Emergency PFA: Assisting with emergency Protection From Abuse orders when the Court of Common Pleas is unavailable (though primary filing is usually downtown).

Operational Details

The court operates with specific hours that may differ slightly from other county offices, notably opening earlier at 7:30 AM on weekdays to accommodate the public. Visitors should be prepared for security checkpoints upon entry. It is strictly prohibited to bring weapons, and cell phones must be silenced. While walk-ins are accepted for filing paperwork, hearings are strictly by scheduled appointment or subpoena. The facility is located on the second floor of the building on Sarah Street.