Misdemeanor Charges
Crimes that are classified as misdemeanors in Pennsylvania are not as serious as felony offenses, but they can still have significant consequences for alleged offenders. In the Commonwealth, convictions for certain misdemeanors can result in years of possible imprisonment as well as thousands of dollars in fines.
Additionally, misdemeanors will also appear on criminal records and certain types of these crimes may not be eligible to be expunged. Over the course of an alleged offender’s life, a misdemeanor conviction can cause just as many complications as a felony.
West Chester Misdemeanor Lawyer
If you were arrested for any kind of a misdemeanor crime in Pennsylvania, you will want to immediately seek the help of experienced legal counsel. Ciccarelli Law Offices represents clients in Chester County, Philadelphia County, Delaware County, Lancaster County, and Montgomery County.
Our Chester County misdemeanor attorneys work as a team to get these types of charges reduced or completely dismissed. You can have our firm provide a complete evaluation of your case as soon as you call (610) 692-8700 to schedule your free, confidential consultation.
Chester County Misdemeanor Charges Information Center
- What are the different classifications for these crimes?
- How can people be punished if they are convicted of these offenses?
- Where are the courts that handle these cases?
- Is there additional information about this topic available elsewhere?
Classification of Pennsylvania Misdemeanor Charges
Title 18 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statute § 106 establishes three classes of misdemeanors. These classes are denoted by the following degrees:
- Third Degree Misdemeanor — Includes bad checks of $200 or more but less than $500, disorderly conduct, prostitution, and simple assault in a fight or scuffle entered into by mutual consent;
- Second Degree Misdemeanor — Includes fleeing or attempting to elude police officer, indecent assault, indecent exposure, and retail theft when value of the merchandise is less than $150; and
- First Degree Misdemeanor — Includes indecent assault when victim was less than 16 years of age, retail theft when value of the merchandise is $150 or more, stalking, and terroristic threats.
Misdemeanors are lesser offenses compared to felonies, but they are more serious than summary offenses in Pennsylvania. Most crimes listed in the Consolidated Statutes state which degree of misdemeanor the offense constitutes.
However, 18 Penn. Cons. Stat. § 106(b)(9) states that when a crime is declared to be a misdemeanor without any specification of degree, it will be considered a third-degree misdemeanor. Under 18 Penn. Cons. Stat. § 106(d), any offense declared by law to constitute a crime that does not specify a class is considered a second-degree misdemeanor, so long as the maximum sentence does not make it a felony.
Consequences of a Convictions for Misdemeanor Charges in West Chester
In some states, misdemeanors may only be punished by up to a year in jail.. The statutory maximum sentences for misdemeanors under state law in Pennsylvania though are quite harsh by comparison.
Under 18 Penn. Cons. Stat. § 106(b), the respective maximum sentences possible for misdemeanors by class are as follows:
- Third Degree Misdemeanor — Up to one year imprisonment and fine not exceeding $2,500;
- Second Degree Misdemeanor — Up to two years imprisonment and fine not exceeding $5,000; and
- First Degree Misdemeanor — Up to five years imprisonment and fine not exceeding $10,000.
While the maximum sentences are understandably of major concern to alleged offenders, it is also important to note that certain crimes may involve mandatory minimum sentences. For example, certain offenses involving illegally operating a motor vehicle not equipped with ignition interlock or driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked can be classified as misdemeanors and result in alleged offenders being ordered to undergo imprisonment for a minimum number of days or months.
Chester County Courts Handling Misdemeanor Charges
Arraignments and preliminary hearings in misdemeanor cases in Chester County are typically handled in the county’s 17 magisterial district courts. You can find an interactive district court map on the Chester County website. These courts can be found below.
East Bradford, West Bradford, and West Chester (Wards 3, 6, 7)
District Court 15-1-01
201 West Market Street
Suite 1307
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 431-4814
Easttown and Tredyffrin (Precincts E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, E-5, M-1, M-5, M-6, W-3, W-4)
District Court 15-1-02
1572 Paoli Pike
West Chester, PA 19382
(610) 430-1966
Coatesville (Wards 2, 4, 5) and South Coatesville
District Court 15-1-03
256 East Lincoln Highway
Coatesville, PA 19320
(610) 384-3159
West Chester (Wards 1, 2, 4, 5)
District Court 15-1-04
21 West Market Street
Suite 100
West Chester, PA 19382
(610) 344-6622
Coatesville (Wards 1, 3, 5) and Valley Township
District Court 15-1-05
Highland Corporate Center
615 Sands Court
Coatesville, PA 19320
(610) 380-3325
Charlestown, East Pikeland, Phoenixville, and Schuylkill
District Court 15-2-01
347 Bridge Street
Phoenixville, PA 19460
(610) 935-1503
Thornbury, West Goshen, and Westtown
District Court 15-2-03
601 Westtown Road
Suite 110
West Chester, PA 19382
(610) 436-5757
Upper Uwchlan, Uwchlan, and West Pikeland
District Court 15-2-07
75 East Uwchlan Avenue
Suite 110
Exton, PA 19341
(610) 524-7456
East Coventry, East Nantmeal, East Pikeland, East Vincent, North Coventry, South Coventry, Spring City, Warwick, and West Vincent
District Court 15-3-01
1130 Ridge Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
(610) 469-1910
Birmingham, East Marlborough, Kennett, Kennett Square, Newlin, Pennsbury, and Pocopson
District Court 15-3-04
916 West Cypress Street
Kennett Square, PA 19348
(610) 444-6330
East Nottingham, Elk, Lower Oxford, New London, Oxford, Penn, Upper Oxford, and West Nottingham
District Court 15-3-05
305 South Third Street
Oxford, PA 19363
(610) 932-4305
Elverson, Honey Brook, Wallace, West Brandywine, West Caln, and West Nantmeal
District Court 15-3-06
4824 Horseshoe Pike
Honey Brook, PA 19344
(610) 273-3726
Atglen, East Fallowfield, Highland, Londonderry, Modena, Parkesburg, Sadsbury, West Fallowfield, and West Sadsbury
District Court 15-3-07
315 First Avenue
Building 3
Parkesburg, PA 19365
(610) 857-5547
Tredyffrin (Precincts E-3, E-4, E-5, W-1, W-2, W-5, M-2, M-3, M-4, M-7)
District Court 15-4-01
Chesterbrook Village Shopping Center
500 Chesterbrook Boulevard
Suite C-6
Wayne, PA 19087
(610) 647-6533
Caln, Downingtown, East Brandywine, and East Caln
District Court 15-4-02
231 Boot Road
Downingtown, PA 19355
(610) 269-5250
East Whiteland (Wards 1, 2) and West Whiteland
District Court 15-4-03
Whiteland Business Park
748 Springdale Drive, Suite 110
Exton, PA 19341
(610) 594-7728
Avondale, Franklin, London Grove, London Britain, New Garden, West Grove, and West Marlborough
District Court 15-4-04
914 West Cypress Street
Kennett Square, PA 19348
(610) 444-6338
If a misdemeanor case is taken to trial in Chester County, then that will be handled at the Chester County Courthouse in West Chester.
Pennsylvania Misdemeanor Resources
Chester County Court of Common Pleas — This general jurisdiction trial court in West Chester handles adult and juvenile criminal prosecutions as well as a variety of other cases, including, lawsuits involving money or property, divorce, custody disputes, and more. You can find judicial and legal calendars, fee schedules for civil courts and clerk of courts, and information about the history of the courthouse on this website. You can also request an interpreter, find courtroom directions, and learn more about the local rules of the court.
201 West Market Street
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 344-6170
Chester County Clerk of Courts — The Clerk of Courts is elected by residents of Chester County and is responsible for maintaining the records in all criminal cases in the Court of Common Pleas. This office also handles posting bail, assessing costs and fines for criminal cases, and collecting monies on summary appeal cases in addition to other responsibilities. On this website, you can find an organizational chart, a fee schedule, and a notice of appeal form.
(610) 344-6135
District Court 15-1-01 — This is a magisterial district court located in the Chester County courthouse. It handles such cases as small claims involving matters of $12,000 or less, traffic violations, and felony, misdemeanor, and preliminary hearings. This court serves Wards 3, 6, and 7 in the Borough of West Chester as well as the townships of East Bradford and West Bradford.
(610) 431-4814
Find a Misdemeanor Lawyer in West Chester
Are you facing misdemeanor charges in West Chester County? Make sure that you have skilled and dedicated legal representation.
Ciccarelli Law Offices aggressively defends clients throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, and our firm has offices in Kennett Square, King of Prussia, Lancaster, Malvern, Philadelphia, Plymouth Meeting, Radnor, and West Chester. Call (610) 692-8700 to have our Chester County misdemeanor attorneys review your case during a free consultation.