Philadelphia Municipal Court
What does this court do?
Philadelphia Municipal Court is the lowest level court in Philadelphia. It has 25 Judges, and “is responsible for trying criminal offenses carrying maximum sentences of incarceration of five years or less, civil cases where the amount in controversy is $12,000 or less for Small Claims; unlimited dollar amounts in Landlord and Tenant cases; and $15,000 in real estate and school tax cases. Municipal Court has initial jurisdiction in processing every adult criminal arrest in Philadelphia, and conducts preliminary hearings for most adult felony cases.” Municipal Court judges serve for 6 year terms.
The candidates – choose up to 2
The candidates are listed in the order they appear on the ballot, to make the Guide easier to use in the ballot booth. What do the columns in the table all mean? They are explained here.
The disciplinary records of the candidates … are clean! We searched for the candidates in the Commonwealth of PA’s records of disciplinary proceedings against both lawyers and judges, and we are happy and proud to say that we found nothing regarding this year’s candidates for any court on the Philadelphia ballot.
Suggestions? Corrections? Omissions? Questions? Please let us know now, before you forget the details. We always want to find ways to help more people to be more informed when they vote for judges, and this is only the Guide’s first election.
| Name | Experience | Phila Bar Assoc ratings | NLG - Phila rating (progressive) (5 is highest) | Learn more: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Wolf (Dem) | - Trial lawyer since 1993 - Labor & employment law representing discrimination victims - Major, U.S. Army Reserve - Loyola School of Law, 1993 | Recommended | None | • Campaign website |
| Marissa Brumbach (Dem) | - Law clerk for 20 years, Philadelphia court system - Law practice, criminal defense and family law - Widener University School of Law, 1995 | Recommended | 5 | • Campaign website |
| George Twardy (Dem) | - General practice lawyer since 1992: personal injury, workmen’s compensation, criminal defense & administrative law matters - Former Commissioner, Haverford Township - Widener School of Law, 1988 | Recommended | None | • Campaign website |
| Jon Marshall (Dem) | - MBA from Drexel - Temple Law | Recommended | None | |
| Sherman Toppin (Dem) | - Lawyer for 19 years: civil litigation, real estate, estate & probate - Real estate broker - Extensive participation in community organizations - William and Mary School of Law | Not recommended | None | • Campaign website • PhillyJudges questionnaire |
| Bill Rice (Dem) | - Widener School of Law | Not recommended | None |