Media Resources
Distracted driving citations in Pennsylvania decreased over last year
Pennsylvania distracted driving citations decreased by 5 percent statewide from 2017 to 2018. Despite the recent decrease, citations increased by 118 percent over the last five years. Distracted driving citations in Pennsylvania can be issued for both texting and/or using headphones while driving. Texting includes sending, reading or writing a text-based message.
Celebrating Women’s History Month in the Pennsylvania Courts - 2019
Watch a Q&A video series highlighting some of our female judges in Pennsylvania in honor of Women’s History Month. The video is a wonderful representation and highlight of women on the Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth Courts – as well as president judges who oversee the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts.
A look at insurance fraud in Pennsylvania
Insurance fraud refers to involvement in any intentional activity that cons an organization – commonly seen in the form of false insurance claims. The infographic highlights insurance fraud data including the statewide number of insurance fraud cases from 2013 – 2017, common examples of insurance fraud as well as defendant demographics.
Pennsylvania retail theft offenses decreased over past five years
Pennsylvania retail theft offenses are at a five-year low, having decreased 15 percent since 2013. The infographic highlights retail theft data from 2013 to 2017 including the statewide number of retail theft offenses by month, the top 10 counties with the highest number of retail theft offenses and statewide defendant demographics.
Pennsylvania’s Veterans Courts Make a Difference for Veterans
Pennsylvania’s veteran population ranks fourth in the U.S. with 819,185 veterans as of 2017. Since 2009, Pennsylvania’s Veterans Courts have been assisting veterans who are charged with crimes and are struggling with addiction, mental illness or co-occurring disorders.
Pennsylvania sees a recent increase in protection from abuse filings
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.
Traffic cases account for the majority of Pennsylvania magisterial district court cases in 2016
In 2016, 66 percent of all new cases filed in Pennsylvania magisterial district courts were traffic-related. Magisterial district courts are the first level of the judicial system where magisterial district judges (MDJs) handle minor court cases and matters. This infographic highlights statewide court case data and provides an educational glance at the specific types of cases that MDJs preside over.
Pennsylvania's Guardianship Tracking System
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.