Pennsylvania's Judicial System: How the Courts Operate

Information from the Pennsylvania Courts website about the operation of the Judicial System in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania judiciary hears two types of cases: criminal cases and civil cases. A criminal charge is a violation of the criminal law and considered an offense against the community. Civil cases include every type of legal action except criminal actions, including personal injuries, contract disputes, adoptions, divorces and faulty consumer goods. Learn about the differences in how the courts operate in each type of case.