Berks County Common Pleas Court cases in Berks County, Reading, PA
The Berks County Court of Common Pleas in Reading is Pennsylvania's trial court of general jurisdiction for Berks County. It handles major criminal cases (felonies and misdemeanors), general civil actions and equity/injunction matters, family law (divorce, custody, support, Protection From Abuse), juvenile delinquency and dependency, and Orphans' Court proceedings (estates, guardianships, adoptions). The court also hears appeals and trials de novo from Magisterial District Courts, including summary and traffic matters, and reviews certain local administrative decisions. It serves as the county's primary forum for jury and nonjury trials and for issuing orders that resolve county-level disputes and offenses.
Berks County Common Pleas Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Common Pleas |
| County: | Berks |
| Street Address: | 633 Court St. |
| City: | Reading |
| Zip Code: | 19601 |
| Phone: | 610-478-6208 |
| Fax: | 610-478-6366 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | http://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/individual-county-courts/berks-county |
| Parking: | Please bring your parking ticket with you for validation during check-in. Parking is available in DoubleTree Hotel Garage (Court St. entrance).Only oversized vehicles should park in the 7th & Penn open lot. Enter on 7th Street. Please bring your license plate number with you when parking on this open lot. |
| Restrictions: | Proper attire is required for jury duty; no shorts, no halter-tops, or tank tops allowed. |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.co.berks.pa.us/Dept/Courts/Admin/Pages/FormsLibrary.aspx |
| Jury Service: | https://www.co.berks.pa.us/Dept/Courts/Jury/Pages/default.aspx |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Email: | jury@countyofberks.com |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/CountyofBerksPA/ |
| Linkedin: | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-troutman-44069331/ |
| ADA: | Tracy Barlet |
| ADA Phone: | 610-478-6208 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | courtadarequest@countyofberks.com |
| About / Additional Info: | The 23rd Judicial District of Pennsylvania, located in the County of Berks, shall administer justice according to the law equally to all people, while providing independent and accessible forums for the fair and prompt resolution of disputes.The Courts of Common Pleas are the general trial courts of Pennsylvania. They are organized into 60 judicial districts. Most districts follow the geographic boundaries of counties, but seven of the districts are comprised of two counties. Each district has from one to 93 judges and has a president judge and a court administrator. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Berks County Common Pleas
Berks County Court of Common Pleas serves as the county's general trial court.
Case types
- Criminal (felonies, misdemeanors)
- Civil (tort, contract, property)
- Family/Domestic Relations (divorce, custody, child/spousal support)
- Juvenile (delinquency, dependency)
- Orphans' Court/Probate (adoptions, guardianships, estates)
- Protection From Abuse (PFA)
- Appeals from Magisterial District Courts and certain agencies
Core public services
- Case filings and records for civil, criminal, family, juvenile, and probate matters; certified copies
- Protective orders: petition filing, emergency/temporary orders, and final hearings
- Court hearings: scheduling and conduct of arraignments, pretrial conferences, motions, trials (jury/non-jury), and sentencings
- Jury services: summons/qualification, deferrals/excuses, reporting, voir dire, and juror compensation
- Support services: language interpreters, ADA accommodations, self-help information/forms
- Financial/records: payments of court costs and fines, docket access, calendars, continuances, and official notices