Magisterial District Judge Donald M. Hahn

Welcome to Magisterial District Court 49-1-01, serving voter precincts 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30 and 34 of the Borough of State College and the Campus of the Pennsylvania State University.

Our goal is to uphold the law and administer justice as fairly as possible and operate the court in as efficient and effective a manner as possible.

Jurisdiction of The Magisterial District Court

The court has jurisdiction over civil and landlord-tenant cases with monetary values of up to $12,000, and over summary criminal offenses – including both traffic and non-traffic citations. The court handles citations for unpaid parking tickets and truancy cases as well. If you believe you are a victim of a crime, and the police have not filed criminal charges, you may file a private criminal complaint in the court in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Location and Hours

The court is located at 131 South Fraser Street, Suite 5, State College, PA 16801. This is the ground floor of the Fraser Street Parking Garage at the end of the plaza near the elevators on the right. The GPS coordinates are 40.793238, -77.861733.

The court is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday except for holidays. Due to staffing issues the court may close over the lunch hour or for administrative purposes, without prior notice. In such cases notice will be posted on the door.

Courtroom Decorum

1. Please turn off your cell phones before entering the court.

2. You may attend another person’s hearing as long as you are not disruptive.

3. Stand when the judge enters the courtroom.

4. Dress appropriately. This is a court of law, not a basketball court.

5. No photography, video, or audio recording is allowed in the courtroom except during weddings or other ceremonial events. However, litigants are permitted to make an audio recording of a summary trial or civil hearing for their own use in the case.

6. Be on time. If you are late the case may proceed without you.

Right to Counsel

Although the constitutional right to counsel attaches only if imprisonment is likely, litigants may bring attorneys into my court in all cases. If you cannot afford an attorney, there are several options for reduced cost or free representation:

• In civil cases, Mid-Penn Legal Services: 814-238-4958
• In criminal cases, Centre County Public Defender’s Office: 814-355-6798
• If you are a Penn State University student, Penn State Student Legal Services: 814-867-4388.

Student Legal Services does not represent students on felony charges.

If you want to be represented by an attorney, contact the attorney immediately. We will not continue your case because you delayed in retaining an attorney.

Restrooms

The court does not have public restrooms. However, there are public restrooms adjacent to the entrance to the Fraser Street Parking Garage.

Parking and Transportation

Parking is available in the Fraser Street Garage (directly above the court) and the Beaver Avenue Garage (one block away). There is also CATA bus transportation with stops on both College Avenue and Beaver Avenue. Transportation and parking are the responsibility of the litigants.

Scheduling and Continuances

Hearing Continuance Procedure - Adopted June 23, 2020

Once you receive your trial or hearing notice, if you find that the date conflicts with another obligation, you may request a continuance in writing. Oral requests will not be considered. Your request must identify the reason and should be made at least a week in advance. Continuances are not guaranteed and the court will not grant continuances because of a conflict with a Penn State University Class. As a general rule, the court will not grant more than one continuance to a party.

Language and Sign Language Interpreters

The court will provide, free of charge, an interpreter for witnesses, attorneys, and defendants who are not fluent in spoken English. This includes persons who may need a sign-language interpreter. Please give the court as much advance notice as possible so that the trial or hearing is not delayed.

Payment of Fines

If you plead guilty to or are convicted of an offense, your fine, costs, and restitution are normally due within 30 days of your plea or verdict. However, if you cannot afford to pay everything at once, you may ask to be put on a payment plan. The request must be in writing and must contain four things:

(1) the reason you cannot afford the assessment,

(2) how much per month you can afford to pay,

(3) your current address, and

(4) your current phone number.

The court usually requires that the full amount of the assessment be paid within six months.

Payment may be made by cash, check, or money order. Do not send cash through the mail. We do not accept credit card payments over the phone or in person. However, credit card payments may be made online: PA Courts or at a kiosk in the court lobby.

If you are assessed a fine, costs, and/or restitution and do not pay your assessment on time, the court will issue a bench warrant for your arrest. The constable who serves the warrant charges the court a fee, and that fee is added to your assessment.

If you absolutely cannot afford to pay your fines, notify the court promptly. Don’t wait for the court to issue an arrest warrant. The court will schedule a payment determination hearing to determine your payment ability. At that hearing, you must produce documentation of your income and expenses. If it truly appears you are unable to pay, the court may extend your payment plan. Please be aware that if you can afford cigarettes, alcohol, or cable TV, then you can afford to pay your fines.

What happens at a trial?

Criminal Trial (including traffic and parking cases): The prosecution goes first, and has the burden of proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Although the prosecution may be represented by an attorney, usually the police or parking officer appears alone to present the case. They may call and question witnesses, or testify themselves. After each person testifies, the defendant or his/her attorney may cross-examine the witness. After the prosecution completes its case in chief, the defendant may (but is not required to) introduce its own testimony through witnesses, and the prosecution’s representative may cross-examine the defense witnesses. At the conclusion of all testimony, the court listens to any summary arguments that each side may make, with the defense going first. The court will then consider all the evidence and announce the verdict.

Civil Trial: The burden the plaintiff must meet in a civil trial is "a preponderance of the evidence," meaning that there must be more evidence supporting the plaintiff’s position than against it. The plaintiff calls its witnesses first, and when the plaintiff completes its case, the defense may call its witnesses. Every witness is subject to cross examination by the opposing side. The court has 5 days after the hearing to render a verdict, which will be mailed to the parties. Individuals, corporations, and partnerships may be represented by attorneys, officers, or non-attorney representatives with personal knowledge of the subject matter of the case. If you or your firm want to be represented by a non-attorney employee or agent, you must provide written authorization signed by you, a corporate officer, or a partner before the trial begins. Otherwise, the representative will not be allowed to present the case. Attorneys must enter a written notice of appearance before the court.

Weddings

The court is happy to help couples seal their vows. Centre County charges a fee for the performance of weddings in the Magisterial District Court. Please call the court to schedule your wedding. You must have a Marriage License issued by your county prior to the wedding ceremony. You may bring family and friends to the ceremony.