Bucks County Court of Common Pleas

The Courts of Common Pleas are Pennsylvania’s general trial courts. These courts have been in place since the Commonwealth’s colonial charter in 1776.

Bucks County criminal cases begin in the Magisterial District Courts. The next step in the court system for misdemeanor and felony cases is the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas.

The Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County, the 7^th Judicial District of Pennsylvania, hears all of the county’s major civil and criminal trials as well as family and probate matters.

Thirteen judges preside over the court, which is located in Doylestown.

The Court supervises all adult probation, juvenile probation (including the Bucks County Youth Center) and domestic relations services. Additionally, the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County has a Law Library.

The Court also provides administrative support to the 20 Magisterial District Courts in Bucks County.

The Bucks County Court system has approximately 550 employees and a budget of about $60 million dollars.

The Court of Common Pleas is overseen by a President Judge who supervises the entire court. Honorable Jeffrey L. Finley is the President Judge of the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas.

Cases In Common Pleas Court in Bucks County

The court hears cases that include:

• criminal
• juvenile delinquency proceedings
• lawsuits involving money or property
• divorce
• custody disputes
• child support issues
• adoptions
• estates

The Common Pleas Court also hears appeals that include appeals of driver’s license suspensions and traffic tickets.

Judges

• Honorable Jeffrey L. Finley, President Judge
• Honorable Rea B. Boylan
• Honorable Alan M. Rubenstein
• Honorable Robert J. Mellon
• Honorable C. Theodore Fritsch Jr.
• Honorable Diane E. Gibbons
• Honorable Wallace H. Bateman
• Honorable Robert O. Baldi
• Honorable Gary Gilman
• Honorable James M. McMaster
• Honorable Raymond F. McHugh
• Honorable Brin T. McGuffin
• Honorable Jeffrey G. Trauger

Senior Judges

• Honorable Susan Devlin Scott
• Honorable Clyde W. Waite
• Honorable Albert J. Cepparulo

Clerk Of Courts

The Clerk of Courts oversees the keeping of all criminal court records as well as juvenile delinquency and dependency court records. Mary K. Smithson is the Bucks County Clerk of Courts.

Minute Clerks

When you are in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, you will see the Minute Clerks keeping records of all courtroom proceedings and swearing in all witnesses and the members of the jury.

Tipstaves

Tipstaves are the individuals who maintain order in the courtroom. They open court when the judge enters the courtroom. They also oversee the juries and help take care of jurors’ needs. They call witnesses and attorneys when they are needed in the courtroom.

Courtroom Locations

• Courtroom 1 – Courthouse 1st Floor
• Courtroom 2 – Courthouse 1st Floor
• Courtroom 3 – Courthouse 1st Floor
• Courtroom 4 – Courthouse 3rd Floor
• Courtroom 5 -Courthouse 3rd Floor
• Courtroom 6 – Courthouse 3rd Floor
• Courtroom 7 – Courthouse 5th Floor
• Juvenile Courtroom – Courthouse 6th Floor
• Courtroom A-8 – Family Court Building 3rd Floor
• Courtroom A-9 – Family Court Building 3rd Floor
• Courtroom A-10 – Family Court Building 3rd Floor
• Community Room – Courthouse 1st Floor

For more information on the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County

To find information about your case