The District Justice civil jurisdiction is $8,000 in civil cases (breaches of contract, accidents, business and professional persons suing for nonpayment of bills and private individuals)

also suing other individuals in landlord and tenant matters, and other related matters.

Criminal cases filed in the District Courts involve everything from a parking violation to murder.

All misdemeanor violations and felony violations,

more commonly called court cases, are filed in the District Courts.

In these cases, the defendants are arraigned,

bail is set; defendants are advised of their rights;

and a preliminary hearing, is scheduled for later day.

At the preliminary hearing, these court cases are either waived to the Court of Common Pleas by the defendant;

or, after the hearing, they will be dismissed or bound over to court if a prima facia case is found.

As officers of the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System, District Justices may administer oaths and affirmations and take acknowledgements.

District Justices also have the authority to perform marriages.

conformed to the secular context in which they are used,

usually provide the liturgy for such occassions.

Of course, a District Justice is at liberty to decline to marry any two people he or she believes ought not to be married,

either for moral or practical reasons.