Franklin County Common Pleas Court cases in Franklin County, Chambersburg, PA
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in Chambersburg is Pennsylvania's county-level trial court of general jurisdiction (Court of Common Pleas). It hears felony and misdemeanor criminal cases; civil actions outside the monetary limits of the magisterial district courts; family law matters including divorce, custody, support, and Protection From Abuse orders; juvenile delinquency and dependency; and Orphans' Court matters such as estates, adoptions, and guardianships. The court conducts jury and non-jury trials, handles motions and post-trial matters, and hears appeals from magisterial district judges in civil, landlord-tenant, and summary criminal/traffic cases, as well as statutorily authorized local government or administrative appeals, within the 39th Judicial District.
Franklin County Common Pleas Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Common Pleas |
| County: | Franklin |
| Street Address: | 157 Lincoln Way E. |
| City: | Chambersburg |
| Zip Code: | 17201 |
| Phone: | 717-261-3848 |
| Fax: | 717-261-3854 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Website URL: | http://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/individual-county-courts/franklin-county |
| Parking: | Franklin County will begin construction around the Franklin County Courthouse. During this construction, there will be very limited parking. The parking meter rate is 25 cents per hour. Meters only accept quarters. Silver meters have a 2 hour limit and green meters have a 12 hour limit. All meters are in effect Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are free on evenings and weekends. Parking lots located furthest away from the Franklin County Courthouse, are an estimated 8-10 minute walk. |
| Restrictions: | Food in general is not permitted in the courthouse; however, given the importance of your duty, the Courts recognize medical, dietary, and related needs.All jurors will be required to go through a metal detector. When in doubt, leave items at home or in your car. |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=courts_forms |
| Jury Service: | https://www.franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=courts_juror-information |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| ADA: | Mark Singer |
| ADA Phone: | 717-261-3848 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | msinger@franklincountypa.gov |
| About / Additional Info: | The Common Pleas courts are organized into 60 judicial districts, most of which encompass a single county. Seven judicial districts, in certain populated areas of the Commonwealth, include two counties. The 39th Judicial District is a two County Judicial District comprising of Franklin County and Fulton County. |
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_County_Courthouse_(Pennsylvania) |
Services and Case Types Handled in Franklin County Common Pleas
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas serves the public by adjudicating:
- Criminal: felony charges, grand jury, arraignments, pretrials, trials, sentencings, expungement/sealing.
- Civil: disputes typically over $15,000, torts, contracts, foreclosures, real property, administrative appeals.
- Protective orders: domestic violence and stalking/sexually oriented offense civil protection orders.
- Domestic relations/juvenile matters through its dedicated division.
Key services include:
- Case filings and e-filing (via Clerk), docket/records access, and forms.
- Scheduling and conducting court hearings (in-person/remote as set by judges).
- Jury services: summons, qualification, orientation, deferrals, and juror compensation.
- Alternative dispute resolution/mediation and specialty dockets (e.g., Drug, Mental Health, Veterans).
- Pretrial services, bond management, and adult probation.
- Payments of court costs/fees, interpreter services, and ADA accommodations.
The court provides public information, calendars, and guidance on procedures and compliance.