Pike Cnty. C.P. Local Rules Local Rule 131(b)

The Pike County Court of Common Pleas, having considered the increase in criminal

prosecutions over the past several years and the fact that more than 75% of the preliminary hearings

before Magisterial District Judges are resolved by waivers to the Court of Common Pleas, now

concludes that in order to make the most efficient use of prosecutors, public defenders and the other

resources of the MDJ offices as well as the County Judicial District, the creation of a Central Court

for conduct of Preliminary Hearings is appropriate and will allow for a more effective and efficient

use of judicial personnel and facilities. This central court shall be identified as the Criminal Central

Court of Pike County (hereinafter Central Court).

The Pike County Court of Common Pleas hereby directs that the Magisterial District Courts

of Pike County shall utilize the Central Court which is hereby created to hear all Preliminary

Hearings in criminal cases with the exception of any criminal homicide case as defined under 18 Pa.

C.S.A. §2501, §2502, §2503, §2505, §2506, and §2507 and 18 Pa. C.S.A. §2603, §2604 and §2605.

(The homicide cases set forth above shall be scheduled for a Preliminary Hearing before the

Magisterial District Judge of the jurisdiction in which the crime was committed unless the hearing is

otherwise scheduled by Court Order.)

The President Judge shall issue an Administrative Order setting the place and time for all

proceedings before Central Court.