Where do criminal, DUI and family cases go in Chester County, PA?

Last updated October 25, 2026.

In Chester County, criminal and DUI cases start at one of 16 magisterial district courts and, once held for court, move to the Court of Common Pleas at the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street in West Chester. Divorce, custody, support and protection from abuse cases are handled in the same building from the start. People held after an arrest go to Chester County Prison on South Wawaset Road, and the District Attorney runs its own ARD program, with steps and costs that differ from Delaware County's.

Giribaldi Law's office is at 117-119 N. Olive St. in Media, across from the Delaware County Courthouse, and the firm serves clients in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties. This page connects what Chester County publishes about its courts with our guides to each stage. For our practice overview, start with our criminal defense page.

How does a Chester County criminal case move, step by step?

Chester County is one judicial district, the Fifteenth, and the county describes its Court of Common Pleas as a general jurisdiction trial court in West Chester with 15 full-time judges and 3 senior judges. The Honorable Ann Marie Wheatcraft is the President Judge. Every adult criminal case follows the same broad path:

1. Arrest and preliminary arraignment. After an arrest without a warrant, the person must be taken before an issuing authority without unnecessary delay (Pa.R.Crim.P. 519). In Chester County, magisterial district judges conduct preliminary arraignments and set and accept bail, according to the court's 2026 realignment plan.
2. Bail. Depending on which judge set it and the time of day, bail can be posted at the Clerk of Courts, at a district court or at Chester County Prison. The county's Pretrial Services Unit interviews everyone placed on supervised bail and everyone committed to the prison in lieu of bail. How release types differ is explained in how bail works in Pennsylvania.
3. Preliminary hearing. The case is heard at the district court for the place where the offense allegedly happened (Pa.R.Crim.P. 130). The hearing must be set within 14 days if you are in custody on this case only, otherwise within 21 days (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(G)). What the district judge decides there is covered in what happens at a preliminary hearing in Pennsylvania.
4. Court of Common Pleas. Cases held for court, and DUI cases that go into ARD, move to the Justice Center for ARD hearings, arraignment, plea, trial and sentencing.
5. Supervision and records. Probation, parole and ARD supervision run through Adult Probation, Parole and Pretrial Services in Suite 2100 of the Justice Center. Expungement petitions are filed with the Clerk of Courts, which lists a $168 filing fee; our page on expungement, limited access and Clean Slate explains who qualifies.

The stages after an arrest are set by statewide rules, so our walk-through of what happens after an arrest applies here too, with Delaware County details for comparison. Drunk driving cases add a license case and county classes, covered in what happens after a DUI arrest, step by step.

Where does each kind of case go in Chester County?

Family cases follow a different track from the start. The county's Family Court page says divorce and equitable distribution conferences, custody conferences and support hearings are held on the 5th floor of the Justice Center, while child and spousal support itself is handled by the Domestic Relations Office. Most support conferences are held by phone, but hearings are in person. How those cases run, office by office, is in what to expect in Chester County family court.

Summary cases rarely reach the Justice Center. A person found guilty of a summary offense at a district court may file a notice of appeal with the Clerk of Courts within 30 days for a new trial in the Court of Common Pleas, and the Clerk lists a $51 filing fee. Our page on what a summary offense is explains the stakes.

Which district court covers West Chester, Coatesville, Phoenixville and Downingtown?

Our homepage lists the Chester County communities we serve, including West Chester, Coatesville, Kennett Square, Downingtown, Phoenixville, Malvern and Exton. The county's district court directory matches each municipality to its court and lists the weekday when that court holds criminal proceedings:

West Chester Borough is split between two courts by ward, so the ward where the stop or incident happened decides which courtroom you go to; our page on criminal and DUI cases in West Chester covers the borough police and its summary citations. Coatesville has a single court at City Hall Place, described in criminal and DUI cases in Coatesville. The court number is printed on the complaint or citation, and it is the first thing to check.

Malvern is in flux. The district court that covers Malvern Borough, East Goshen, Easttown and Willistown townships and parts of Tredyffrin and Westtown, 15-1-02 at 1572 Paoli Pike, is listed as vacant. The court has proposed eliminating that district and moving Malvern to 15-4-03, with public comments accepted through October 25, 2026 before a petition goes to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Until that change is approved, follow the court named on your paperwork.

What is different about Chester County's ARD program?

The District Attorney screens every ARD application, and the program is generally for people with limited or no prior record. The DA's application information sheet sets a fast track for DUI cases: the applicant applies at the preliminary hearing and waives the preliminary hearing, formal arraignment and the filing of a criminal information. An assistant district attorney then gives an ARD hearing date in the Court of Common Pleas, usually eight to 16 weeks after the application, depending on how many applications are pending countywide. The full sequence of offices and deadlines inside the building is in what to expect at the Chester County Justice Center.

The same sheet lists reasons ARD will be denied that go beyond state law. They include a prior ARD, diversion or conviction within 10 years, more than one prior DUI in a lifetime, any prior felony, a poor driving record, and driving 30 miles per hour or more over the limit during the offense. Everyone is assigned at least 40 hours of community service, some or all of which may be waived if conditions are finished on time. The county's approximate total for DUI-ARD is $2,000.75 for a six-month program and $2,310.75 for a 12-month program, and court costs vary with the charges. Our comparison of how DUI ARD differs in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties sets the three counties side by side.

For other cases, the county lists Drug Court, Recovery Court, Mental Health Court and Veterans Court, along with a Domestic Violence ARD program. Recovery Court asks for an assessment request within 30 days of formal arraignment and generally lasts two to three years. For DUI and driving under suspension cases, Adult Probation also runs Restrictive Conditions of Probation, a sentencing option that requires an application at least 30 days before sentencing. If ARD is not an option, our page on whether to accept ARD or fight a DUI weighs the choice.

How common are crashes and DUI deaths in Chester County?

PennDOT's 2025 Crash Facts and Statistics book reports county figures. Chester County, with a population of 557,116 in that book, recorded 4,379 reportable crashes in 2025, including 33 fatal crashes and 1,697 injury crashes. Seat belt use in its crashes was 89 percent in 2025, compared with 76 percent in Delaware County.

PennDOT counts a crash as "alcohol-related" when a driver was reported to have been drinking or a drinking pedestrian was involved, and it warns that this does not necessarily mean the driver who caused the crash was drunk. These are county-wide statistics, not evidence in any individual case. A crash that injures someone changes a DUI case sharply, and it can also bar ARD; our page on DUI crashes with injuries explains the separate charges.

What changes the answer?

• The place of the offense. Venue follows where the offense allegedly happened, not where you live (Pa.R.Crim.P. 130). A Delaware County resident stopped in Phoenixville goes to the Phoenixville district court and the Chester County DA.
• Custody after arrest. The preliminary hearing deadline is 14 days if you are held on this case only, otherwise 21 days (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(G)).
• Your record. State law bars DUI ARD after a DUI conviction or ARD within ten years, apart from a narrow exception, after a crash that killed or seriously injured someone else, or with a passenger under 14 (75 Pa.C.S. 3807(a)(2)). Chester County adds its own denial list.
• Whether you waive the preliminary hearing. The county's DUI-ARD track requires the waiver, and its application warns that once a preliminary hearing is waived, a defendant is not entitled to send the case back for one.
• Your test result. The ARD license suspension is set by blood alcohol: none under 0.10%, 30 days from 0.10% to under 0.16%, and 60 days at 0.16% or higher or when the result is unknown (75 Pa.C.S. 3807(d)). The timing of PennDOT's letters is in when PennDOT suspends your license after a DUI.
• Whether it is a family matter. Family cases go to Family Court Administration and Domestic Relations, not to a district judge, except for emergency protection orders.

For example: a Friday night stop in West Chester

Here is a hypothetical. A driver from Media is stopped in West Chester, in ward 5, and charged with a first DUI with a breath result of 0.12%. Because the stop happened in that ward, the case goes to District Court 15-1-04 on West Market Street, not to a court near the driver's home, and the Chester County DA decides ARD. The driver is released on supervised bail and must contact the county's bail agency within 48 hours.

With a lawyer, the driver applies for DUI-ARD at the preliminary hearing and waives it, and leaves with an ARD hearing date about two to four months away. The driver calls Pretrial Services within 24 hours of applying, schedules the CRN evaluation with the DUI Program, takes Alcohol Highway Safety School over a weekend, and pays the $300 DUI Program fee and the other costs before the morning of the ARD hearing. At 0.12%, the ARD suspension would be 30 days. This is only an illustration of how the county routes a case, not a prediction of any outcome.

What mistakes do people make in Chester County?

• Leaving old matters off the ARD application. The form asks about dismissed, pardoned and expunged charges too, and warns that many applications are denied for inaccurate answers.
• Missing the Pretrial Services call. ARD applicants must contact the Pretrial Services Unit within 24 hours of applying, and a bail violation can sink the application.
• Arriving at the ARD hearing with costs unpaid. Fees must be paid by the morning of the hearing, or the person is not admitted without the DA's consent and the court's approval.
• Showing up at the prison with too much cash. After hours, the prison takes cash only up to $9,500, and you must call it first.
• Applying for a public defender at the last minute. The Public Defender asks for applications at least two business days before a court date.

What should I do this week?

1. Read your paperwork for the district court number, the next date and any bail conditions.
2. Match the court to the place of the offense using the county directory or the table above.
3. If you are on supervised bail, call the bail agency within 48 hours of release.
4. For a DUI, gather your test result and every prior arrest, citation or diversion, then talk with a lawyer before the preliminary hearing about DUI-ARD.
5. If someone is held at Chester County Prison, plan bail: the Clerk of Courts during weekday hours, or the prison after hours after calling ahead.
6. For a family case, collect income records and note the first conference date on your notice.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Chester County Justice Center?

At 201 West Market Street in West Chester. The county lists its hours as Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on weekends. The Court of Common Pleas, the Clerk of Courts, the District Attorney and the family court offices are all in the building.

Where is the Chester County jail?

Chester County Prison is at 501 South Wawaset Road, West Chester, PA 19382, and its main number is 610-344-5040. The county says to call the prison before posting bail there after hours.

How many district courts are in Chester County?

Sixteen, under the court's current list. The court has proposed eliminating the vacant 15-1-02 district and realigning its municipalities among three neighboring courts, subject to approval by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Are Chester County family cases heard at the Justice Center?

Yes. Divorce conferences and hearings, custody conferences and support hearings are on the 5th floor, with check-in at Room 5402 for custody and divorce matters and at Hearing Room A for support hearings. The Domestic Relations Office is in Suite 3400; its main page lists walk-in applications on weekdays from 8:30 to 3:30, but other county pages give earlier cut-offs, so call ahead.

How much does DUI ARD cost in Chester County?

The DA's sheet estimates about $2,000.75 for a six-month DUI program and $2,310.75 for a 12-month program, before any treatment. Court costs vary with the number and type of charges, so the county says to call the Adult Probation collection unit for the actual amount.

Can I get a public defender in Chester County?

If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can apply to the Chester County Public Defender at the Justice Center, with financial documents and a copy of the criminal complaint. Apply at least two business days before your court date.

Do you also handle cases in Delaware and Montgomery counties?

Yes. Our page on criminal, DUI and family cases in Delaware County covers the county around our Media office. For Norristown and the rest of Montgomery County, see criminal and DUI cases in Montgomery County.

Questions clients ask about cases in Chester County

These pages explain Pennsylvania rules that apply in West Chester as much as anywhere in the state.

DUI cases

• What happens if I refused a breath or blood test in Pennsylvania?
• What is the two-hour rule for DUI tests in Pennsylvania?
• Can I drive during a DUI suspension in Pennsylvania, and what changes with the new ignition interlock license?
• Is a third DUI a felony in Pennsylvania?
• Can a DUI be expunged or sealed in Pennsylvania?
• I live in Delaware or New Jersey and got a DUI in Pennsylvania. What happens?
• What does a DUI mean for a commercial driver's license in Pennsylvania?

Criminal cases

• How long can a criminal case take in Pennsylvania? (Rule 600)
• What are the maximum penalties for each grade of crime in Pennsylvania?
• What are the penalties for drug possession in Pennsylvania, and is there a first-offender option?
• What is possession with intent to deliver in Pennsylvania, and how is it different from possession?
• Is possessing a small amount of marijuana still a crime in Pennsylvania?
• How serious is a robbery or burglary charge in Pennsylvania?
• Is retail theft a felony in Pennsylvania?
• How does the value of property change a theft charge in Pennsylvania?
• How long does sex offender registration last in Pennsylvania?
• Are disorderly conduct and public drunkenness crimes in Pennsylvania?
• Is reckless driving a crime in Pennsylvania?

Protection From Abuse orders

• What happens if I am accused of violating a PFA order in Pennsylvania?
• Do I have to give up my guns when a PFA is entered in Pennsylvania?
• How does a PFA affect custody in Pennsylvania?

Divorce and property

• How long does a divorce take in Pennsylvania?
• What if my spouse will not consent to a divorce in Pennsylvania?
• Why does the date of separation matter in a Pennsylvania divorce?
• How is property divided in a Pennsylvania divorce?
• What counts as marital property in Pennsylvania, and what stays separate?
• Who gets the house in a Pennsylvania divorce?
• How are pensions and retirement accounts divided in a Pennsylvania divorce?
• Is a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement enforceable in Pennsylvania?
• What should I bring to a divorce consultation in Pennsylvania?

Support and alimony

• How is child support calculated in Pennsylvania?
• When does child support end in Pennsylvania?
• Spousal support, APL or alimony: what is the difference in Pennsylvania?
• How long does alimony last in Pennsylvania?
• How do I change a custody or child support order in Pennsylvania?

Custody

• How do Pennsylvania judges decide custody after Kayden's Law?
• What is the difference between legal and physical custody in Pennsylvania?
• Can I move away with my child after a separation in Pennsylvania?
• Can grandparents seek custody or visitation in Pennsylvania?

Call Giribaldi Law at (610) 891-8303 or contact us online for a free consultation about a Chester County case.