Pennsylvania · Through 2026-08-03 (Statute Update stamp, 42 Pa.C.S.)

42 Pa.C.S. § 1502: Classification of districts.

(a) Second class counties.--The classes of magisterial districts in judicial districts coextensive with counties of the second class shall be determined as follows:
(1) Magisterial districts of the first class shall have a population density of more than 5,000 persons per square mile and a population of not less than 65,000 persons.
(2) Magisterial districts of the second class shall have a population density of more than 500 persons per square mile and a population of between 22,500 and 65,000 persons.
(3) Magisterial districts of the third class shall have a population density of more than 200 persons per square mile and a population of between 12,000 and 22,500 persons.
(4) Magisterial districts of the fourth class shall have a population density of more than 70 persons per square mile and a population of between 7,500 and 12,000 persons.
(5) Magisterial districts of the fifth class shall have a population density of less than 70 persons per square mile and a population of between 4,000 and 7,500 persons.
(b) Other counties.--The classes of magisterial districts in judicial districts not coextensive with counties of the first class or counties of the second class shall be determined as follows:
(1) Magisterial districts of the first class shall have a population density of more than 1,000 persons per square mile and a population of not less than 15,000 persons.
(2) Magisterial districts of the second class shall have a population density of more than 400 persons per square mile and a population of not less than 4,000 persons.
(3) Magisterial districts of the third class shall have a population density of less than 400 persons per square mile and a population of not less than 4,000 persons.
(4) Magisterial districts of the fourth class shall have a population density of less than 400 persons per square mile and a population of between 2,000 and 4,000 persons. The number of magisterial districts of the fourth class within a judicial district shall not be increased.

Where this section sits in the code

Title 42 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
PART II ORGANIZATION
SUBPART A COURTS AND MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES
ARTICLE E MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES
CHAPTER 15 MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES
SUBCHAPTER A MAGISTERIAL DISTRICTS

(a) Second class counties.--The classes of magisterial districts in judicial districts coextensive with counties of the second class shall be determined as follows:

(1) Magisterial districts of the first class shall have a population density of more than 5,000 persons per square mile and a population of not less than 65,000 persons.

(2) Magisterial districts of the second class shall have a population density of more than 500 persons per square mile and a population of between 22,500 and 65,000 persons.

(3) Magisterial districts of the third class shall have a population density of more than 200 persons per square mile and a population of between 12,000 and 22,500 persons.

(4) Magisterial districts of the fourth class shall have a population density of more than 70 persons per square mile and a population of between 7,500 and 12,000 persons.

(5) Magisterial districts of the fifth class shall have a population density of less than 70 persons per square mile and a population of between 4,000 and 7,500 persons.

(b) Other counties.--The classes of magisterial districts in judicial districts not coextensive with counties of the first class or counties of the second class shall be determined as follows:

(1) Magisterial districts of the first class shall have a population density of more than 1,000 persons per square mile and a population of not less than 15,000 persons.

(2) Magisterial districts of the second class shall have a population density of more than 400 persons per square mile and a population of not less than 4,000 persons.

(3) Magisterial districts of the third class shall have a population density of less than 400 persons per square mile and a population of not less than 4,000 persons.

(4) Magisterial districts of the fourth class shall have a population density of less than 400 persons per square mile and a population of between 2,000 and 4,000 persons. The number of magisterial districts of the fourth class within a judicial district shall not be increased.

Collected 2026-09-02T16:33:14Z. Source file · JSON

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