Luzerne County Common Pleas Court cases in Luzerne County, Wilkes-Barre, PA
The Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas in Wilkes‑Barre, PA, is a Pennsylvania trial court of general jurisdiction (11th Judicial District). It serves as the county's primary trial court, handling felony and most misdemeanor criminal cases; civil actions beyond magisterial district court limits; family and domestic relations matters (divorce, custody, child and spousal support, protection‑from‑abuse); juvenile delinquency and dependency; and Orphans' Court matters (estates, adoptions, guardianships). It also addresses equity, mental health commitments, and other statutory proceedings. The court hears appeals de novo from Magisterial District Courts, including summary offenses and traffic citations, and certain appeals from local and administrative agencies, and exercises supervisory authority over the county's magisterial district courts.
Luzerne County Common Pleas Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Common Pleas |
| County: | Luzerne |
| Street Address: | 200 N. River St. |
| City: | Wilkes-Barre |
| Zip Code: | 18711 |
| Phone: | 570-825-1500 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Website URL: | http://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/individual-county-courts/luzerne-county |
| Parking: | Free parking for jurors reporting to the Luzerne County Courthouse is available in the Parkade, located at 5 Water Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, which is adjacent to the Bernard Brominski Building. Parking behind the courthouse and parking at the annex building across the street from the courthouse is strictly prohibited. The only exception is for disabled individuals who have a placard and are parked in the designated areas. A fine of $25 or more will be imposed for parking in those areas mentioned above. |
| Directions: | When you arrive, please walk through the pedestrian tunnel to the rear courthouse entrance. |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.luzernecounty.org/462/Forms-and-Related-Documents |
| Jury Service: | https://www.luzernecounty.org/468/Juror-Information |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/james.haddock.395 |
| ADA: | Melissa Schatzel |
| ADA Phone: | 570-830-5135 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | Melissa.Schatzel@luzernecounty.org |
| Special Access: | There is a short pedestrian tunnel crossing North Street providing access to the Courthouse rear/handicap entrance. This entrance opens at 8:00am. |
| About / Additional Info: | The mission of the 11th Judicial District is to be dedicated to the administration of justice in a fair, timely, and impartial manner in accordance with the rule of law. The Courts are committed to provide dispute and case resolution through legally fair procedures, ensure access to justice for all, promote effective, innovative services, and increase public trust and confidence in the Luzerne County Courts. |
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luzerne_County_Courthouse |
Services and Case Types Handled in Luzerne County Common Pleas
The Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas is the county's general trial court. It handles: criminal (felonies/misdemeanors, arraignments, motions, trials, sentencing, probation violations); civil (contract, tort, property, equity, injunctions); family/domestic relations (divorce, custody/visitation, child/spousal support enforcement through Domestic Relations, protection from abuse orders); juvenile (delinquency and dependency); Orphans' Court (estates, trusts, adoptions, guardianships, termination of parental rights); and appeals from Magisterial District Judge decisions and certain administrative/license matters. Public-facing services include case filings and docketing via the Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts; scheduling and conducting hearings, conferences, and jury/nonjury trials; jury services (summons, orientation, excusals, empanelment); self-help forms and interpreter/ADA accommodations; records access consistent with law; and enforcement of court orders through probation, contempt, and collection processes.