UPDATED COURTHOUSE AND SERVICES CENTER ENTRANCE HOURS:

MONDAY-FRIDAY 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM -- USE SERVICES CENTER

MONDAY-FRIDAY 6:00 PM - 8:00 AM -- USE COURTHOUSE

WEEKENDS (6:00 PM FRIDAY - 8:00 AM MONDAY) -- USE COURTHOUSE

There is a separate policy that applies on to employees as well.

BERKS COUNTY COURTS

Operations Update - March 17, 2020

On March 17, 2020, President Judge Parisi, with the consultation of the Common Pleas Judges, entered a multi-page administrative order which is attached below. The Courts will remain open. There will be one point of entry to the Courthouse / Services Center complex and that will be through the Services Center. It will be monitored by the Sheriffs. Most hearings will be continued but some are considered essential and must heard. The order discusses these issues at length.

If you are currently suffering from any of the symptoms of COVID-19, do not come to the Courthouse but leave a message with your attorney, the Judge’s chambers or Court Administration.

Please refer to the following documents:

Declaration (Judicial Emergency Order)

Administrative Order: Law Library Closure

Administrative Order: COVID-19

Berks County Court of Common Pleas

23rd Judicial District of Pennsylvania

Mission Statement

The 23rd Judicial District of Pennsylvania, located in the County of Berks, shall administer justice according to the law equally to all people, while providing independent and accessible forums for the fair and prompt resolution of disputes.

Overview

The Courts of Common Pleas are the general trial courts of Pennsylvania. They are organized into 60 judicial districts. Most districts follow the geographic boundaries of counties, but seven of the districts are comprised of two counties. Each district has from one to 93 judges and has a president judge and a court administrator.

Court Announcements

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2019 - NEW COURT NOTIFICATION PROGRAM

NOTIFICATION PROGRAM PRESS RELEASE.pdf

Berks County Court implemented text and email electronic notifications to defendants in criminal court cases.

Program information and related documents can be viewed on the Court Notification Program page.
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 6, 2018 NEW PUBLIC ACCESS POLICY OF THE UNIFIED JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF PENNSYLVANIA. NEW public access policy of the Unified Judicial System (UJS) of Pennsylvania for case records filed and maintained by the appellate and trial courts becomes effective January 6, 2018. The policy, related documents and instructional videos can be viewed on the UJS website at: click here to go to the PA Public Records Policies page. In Berks County, new Berks County Rule of Judicial Administration BRJA 510 requires persons filing documents that contain personal information as defined by the Policy to file a Confidential Information Form or a Confidential Document Form as applicable. Parties are expressly prohoibited from filing a redacted and unredacted version. Please click here for the Confidential Information Form and click here for the Confidential Document Form.
Language Access and Interpreter Services
The Berks County Courts are committed to ensuring that persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), or who are deaf or hard of hearing, have equal access to the Courts and all available court services. Interpreters are provided at all Court levels, if your appearance is required. If you, or someone you know, requires the services of a Language Interpreter, please click here for further information.
Electronic Filing System

MANDATORY ELECTRONIC FILING: Effective Monday, October 6, 2014, all documents that can be electronically filed in the Berks County Prothonotary’s Office by attorneys will be required to be filed electronically through the Civil Electronic Filing System (EFS). Access the Civil eFiling system by clicking here or click the following link to visit the Prothonotary's website.