Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court released an educational video highlighting the Guardianship Tracking System (GTS), a new web-based system for guardians, court staff, Orphans’ Court clerks and judges to file, manage, track and submit reports. The video highlights how the new system will help protect adults of all ages who have been appointed a guardian by Pennsylvania courts.
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This video series explains the judiciary’s policy for protecting confidential information and documents in public court filings. This policy affects everyone – including attorneys – filing cases in magisterial district courts, Philadelphia Municipal Court, common pleas courts, Commonwealth, Superior and Supreme Courts.
The videos highlight:
Established more than three centuries ago, the Pennsylvania courts have a history of providing efficient, effective and fair access to justice for all who come before them. Since their inception however, the breadth and depth of services and support provided by the courts has evolved and expanded. Problem-solving courts, ensuring court access in a myriad of ways, and customizing programs to meet the needs of our youngest and oldest citizens are part of this evolution.
Ample funding, along with sound and efficient fiscal management, allow us to continue fulfilling the courts’ traditional and expanded missions.
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The Supreme Court is aided by select boards, committees, commissions and councils consisting of more than 180 appointed volunteers — most, but not all, are lawyers and judges.
The panels have a wide range of responsibilities and functions. Some make recommendations to the court for amendments, revisions or simplification of court procedural rules. Others regulate the practice of law, oversee continuing legal education for lawyers and administer funds to assist individuals unable to pay for legal services. Still others advise on keeping the courts free of bias and discrimination and on long-range planning.
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Language Access Coordinators oversee the provision of language access services in their judicial districts in compliance with all applicable laws and the district’s policy. Contact these individuals if you wish to request an interpreter for your case or need assistance obtaining information in your language about court services in that particular district.
Los coordinadores de acceso lingüístico supervisan la provisión de servicios de acceso lingüístico en sus distritos judiciales en conformidad con todas las leyes aplicables y la política del distrito. Comuníquese con estas personas si desea solicitar un intérprete para su caso o si necesita ayuda obteniendo información en su idioma sobre los servicios que ofrece el tribunal en ese distrito en particular.
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Pay court-ordered fines, fees, costs or restitution from the comfort of your own home or office.
The state court system offers an increasingly popular way to safely and securely pay money owed to the Common Pleas and magisterial district courts — PAePay. Using the online feature saves time and adds convenience for citizens and court staff.
Payments may be made using a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or ATM card. A non-refundable fee of $2.75 is assessed on each transaction. Those owing money can pay up to $1,000 per transaction.
Attorney fees, appellate court filing fees and parole supervisory costs also can be paid through PAePay.
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Pennsylvania courts recently launched the Android version of PAeDocket – a free app that provides a quick and simple search of court cases or dockets.
Utilizing mobile apps provides a valuable service for the public, including lawyers, law enforcement, consumers, victims and victims’ families.
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Following a steady decline in the statewide number of new protection from abuse (PFA) filings, Pennsylvania has seen a 5 percent increase in PFA filings from 2014 to 2017. A PFA is a civil order that protects victims of domestic violence, providing relief from abuse by an intimate partner, dating partner or family member.
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Pennsylvania courts today launched a “stop abuse” outreach campaign in English and Spanish to educate victims of abuse that protection orders are an option to help stop their abuse.
“Courts play an important role in helping to keep a victim, and the victim’s family, safe from future abuse through protective orders,” said Tom Darr, Court Administrator of Pennsylvania. “Protective orders are free and more importantly, the court order signed by a judge outlines rules for the defendant.”
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