Summary Appeal

Summary Appeal - How to File

A Summary Appeal from summary conviction may be filed in the Clerk of Courts office within 30 days from the date of the Magisterial District Judge decision. The 30 days includes Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. To file after 30 days requires the granting of a "nunc pro tunc" petition.

You may appeal more than one citation per form if the citations were all issued by the same officer at the same incident. Once the Appeal has been filed with the Clerk of Courts' office, a Common Pleas case number will be assigned and you will be notified within four to six weeks of your hearing date.

Please Note: If you are appealing a license suspension contact the Prothonotary's office.

Required Information for Form

The following information is required to complete the Notice of Appeal from Summary Criminal Conviction form:

  • Citation number
  • Issuing Authority Docket number
  • Magisterial District number
  • Name and address of Police Officer

All of the required information can be obtained from the citation or by contacting the District Court.

Fees

There is a $68 non-refundable fee ($63 Filing fee, $5 automation fee) that must accompany each appeal form. If you are found Not Guilty, any collateral money paid to the Magisterial District Justice will be refunded. If your appeal is amended or you remain guilty, you will be assessed all applicable fees and administrative and  prosecution costs.

You will be billed by mail. Monies paid to the Magisterial District Court will be credited to your case. For driving offenses, if payment is not received within 30 days of the scheduled hearing date, this office will notify the PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and they will suspend your driver's license until notified by this office that all costs and fines have been paid in full.

PennDOT

If your citation has resulted in the suspension of your driving privileges, you may request, in writing, a delay of suspension, revocation or disqualification until the outcome of your appeal hearing. You will be provided with a certified/time-stamped copy of your appeal form, which can be sent directly to:
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Correspondence Unit
P.O. Box 68618
Harrisburg, PA 17106
Phone: 800-932-4600
PennDOT Website

Additional Resource: PennDOT Point System Fact Sheet (PDF).