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About Pennsylvania Courts

The Pennsylvania court system has a long and distinguished history which can be trace to the colonial period. Like the federal court system it is hierachical in nature with courts ranging from those overseen by local magistrates to the final court of appeals, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.  This system is referred to as the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System.


graphic from the AOPC

  • The Court of Common Pleas -- is the primary trial court in Pennsylvania.
  • Intermediate Appeals Courts
    • Superior Court -- hears appeals for the majority of criminal and civil cases
    • Commonwealth Court -- hears appeals, and sometimes is the trial court for cases in which a state or local government agency is a party.
  • Supreme Court -- the final court of appeal in Pennsylvania.  Hears cases primarily appealed from the  Superior and Commonwealth Courts.
For more information about the judicial system visit the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts web site and watch their Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System Video.

Databases

  • Westlaw Campus -- Coverage includes:  High Court of Errors and Appeals: 1780 - 1804;  Supreme Court: begins with 1754;  Superior Court: begins with 1895;  Commonwealth Court: begins with 1970;  Court of Common Pleas: begins with 1870;  Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace: 1878-1921;  Orphans' Court: 1880-1921;   Office of Attorney General: 1883-1921
  • Under Select Databases
    • Check State Cases
    • Choose Pennsylvania from the drop down menu.
  • LexisNexis Academic -- Coverage includes Pennsylvania Supreme Court from 1885; Pennsylvania Superior Court from January 1944; Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court from October 1970;Philadelphia County Reporter from January 1978
  • Select "Legal" tab
    • Choose "Federal and State Cases
    • Choose "PA Federal and State Cases Combined"  from the drop down menu.

Internet Resources

Because their coverage is more complete Westlaw and LexisNexis Academic are generally preferred for access to PA court cases.  However, non-Penn State users may access more recent cases at these web sites. 

Federal Courts in Pennsylvania

These courts are part of the federal judiciary, not the state court system, but are provided here for the convenience of users.

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Contact

Subject Specialist
Helen M. Sheehy
814-863-1347

Social Sciences Library
814-865-4861
AIM: socscilib

or your Commonwealth Campus Library



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