Dauphin County Common Pleas Court cases in Dauphin County, Harrisburg, PA
The Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas in Harrisburg is Pennsylvania's general trial court for Dauphin County (12th Judicial District). As a state court of general jurisdiction, it handles major civil actions; felony and misdemeanor criminal prosecutions; family/domestic relations matters (divorce, custody, child support, protection from abuse); juvenile delinquency and dependency cases; and orphans' court matters (estates, adoptions, guardianships). It hears appeals from magisterial district courts, including summary criminal and traffic citations, and reviews certain local and administrative agency decisions. Serious motor-vehicle offenses such as DUI are prosecuted in this court. The court conducts trial, pretrial, and post-conviction proceedings and oversees jury and nonjury trials within the county.
Dauphin County Common Pleas Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Common Pleas |
| County: | Dauphin |
| Street Address: | 101 Market St. |
| City: | Harrisburg |
| Zip Code: | 17101 |
| Phone: | 717-780-6630 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM |
| Website URL: | http://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/individual-county-courts/dauphin-county |
| Parking: | The Dauphin County Courthouse is located at 101 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA (for GPS devices). Juror may park for free at the Market Street Square Garage at 34 S. 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA. Jurors with an oversized vehicle may park in the open lot at the corner of 3rd and Chestnut Streets. |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.dauphincounty.org/government/courts/online_forms.php |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://www.dauphincounty.org/government/courts/court_calendar.php |
| Jury Service: | https://www.dauphincounty.org/government/courts/jury_service/index.php |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/Dauphin-County-Register-of-Wills-Clerk-of-the-Orphans-Court-102191724487857/ |
| Linkedin: | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-klein-0b9127a3/ |
| ADA: | Jennifer Simpson |
| ADA Phone: | 717-780-6635 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | JSimpson@dauphinc.org |
| Special Access: | Handicapped jurors (with appropriate plates/placards) may park in the employee garage located in Blackberry Alley behind the Courthouse. |
| About / Additional Info: | The Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, 12th Judicial District of Pennsylvania is located in the Dauphin County Courthouse, at the corner of Front and Market Streets, in Harrisburg. The function of the Court of Common Pleas, is the administration of the judicial system in Dauphin County, insuring that the legal rights of all are protected and preserved. The Court of Common Pleas handles the full gamut of legal cases including jury trials for criminal and civil matters, juvenile hearings, spousal and child support hearings, custody hearings, divorces, adoption hearings, estate matters, guardianship hearings, land use disputes, name changes, license suspension appeals and emergency matters such as injunctions. |
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dauphin_County_Courthouse |
Services and Case Types Handled in Dauphin County Common Pleas
Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas is the county's general trial court, serving the public in:
- Criminal: felony/misdemeanor cases, arraignments, bail, trials, sentencing, probation/parole violations.
- Civil: contract, injury, property, equity; compulsory arbitration for limited claims.
- Family: divorce, custody, child/spousal support, Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders.
- Juvenile: delinquency and dependency.
- Orphans' Court/Probate: estates, guardianships, adoptions, name changes.
- Appeals: from Magisterial District Courts and certain agencies.
Services include case filings and docketing (via Prothonotary/Clerk offices), scheduling and conducting hearings and trials, interpreter and ADA accommodations, records access and certified copies, specialty court programs, mediation/arbitration, payments of court costs/fees, and transcript requests.
Jury Services manages summons, qualification, deferrals, and juror reporting. The court provides forms, PFA filings, and self-help resources to support timely, fair case resolution.