A Comprehensive Guide to Pennsylvania's Appellate Courts and Their Jurisdiction

Introduction

Navigating the legal landscape in Pennsylvania can be a daunting experience, particularly when it comes to understanding the various appellate courts and their jurisdictions. Moro & Moro is dedicated to providing you with helpful resources to understand the Pennsylvania court system. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive guide to Pennsylvania's appellate courts, their specific jurisdictions, and the types of cases they handle.

About Attorney Gregory Moro

Attorney Gregory Moro, a skilled appellate litigator with a successful track record, has extensive experience practicing in Pennsylvania's appellate courts. Notably, he has successfully argued and won in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, a significant accomplishment in the legal field. With numerous reported decisions to his name, he has demonstrated his proficiency in handling cases before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and Superior Court. Although the Commonwealth Court covers a more unique range of topics, Attorney Moro has successfully represented clients in this court as well.

Pennsylvania Appellate Courts: An Overview

The appellate court system in Pennsylvania is comprised of three distinct courts:

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

The Superior Court of Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania

Each of these courts has its own unique jurisdiction, and it is important to know which court is most appropriate for your specific case.

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the highest appellate court in the Commonwealth and serves as the court of last resort. Its jurisdiction is generally limited to matters of great public importance, constitutional issues, and questions of law. As a discretionary court, it chooses which cases to review, except for certain types of cases in which it has mandatory jurisdiction.

Mandatory Jurisdiction:

Direct appeals from a Court of Common Pleas when a sentence of death has been imposed.

Cases in which a lower court has found a statute to be unconstitutional.

Cases involving the right to public office or election.

Discretionary Jurisdiction:

The Supreme Court may choose to hear appeals from the Superior Court, the Commonwealth Court, and the Courts of Common Pleas involving any issue of significant public importance or a question of law that requires clarification.

The Superior Court of Pennsylvania

The Superior Court is an intermediate appellate court, with jurisdiction over appeals from the Court of Common Pleas in most civil and criminal cases, except for matters that fall under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth Court.

Jurisdiction:

Appeals involving civil and criminal cases, family law matters, and orphans' court matters from the Courts of Common Pleas

Extraordinary jurisdiction to hear cases that require immediate attention, such as disputes over the composition of the record or issues regarding the jurisdiction of the trial court.

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth Court is a unique appellate court in Pennsylvania that focuses primarily on matters related to state and local government agencies, as well as certain civil cases.

Jurisdiction:

Appeals from final orders of the Courts of Common Pleas in cases involving state or local government agencies.

Appeals from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board, the Environmental Hearing Board, and other administrative agencies.

Original jurisdiction over certain civil cases against the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions, and their officers or agents

Conclusion

Understanding the jurisdictions of Pennsylvania's appellate courts is crucial to ensure your case is handled in the appropriate court. We hope this guide provides you with the necessary information about the Supreme Court, Superior Court, and Commonwealth Court and their respective jurisdictions. Should you require further assistance or legal representation, our law firm, led by Attorney Moro, is here to help. Don't hesitate to reach out to us for a consultation at 570-784-1010 or via our CONTACT PAGE.

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