Where does a City of Chester criminal or DUI case go, and what happens next?

Last updated October 4, 2026.

A City of Chester criminal or DUI case starts at one of three district courts that share 529 Penn Street; the ward where the offense happened decides which one. Most charges are filed by the Chester Police Department. If the case is held for court, it moves to the Delaware County Courthouse in Media.

The city says its police department is open 24 hours a day and answers about 4,900 calls for service a month. The court assignments come from Delaware County's district court list effective April 8, 2026.

The City of Chester's courts are separate from those for Chester Township, a different municipality. Giribaldi Law's office is across from the Courthouse in Media; for the county overview, see our Delaware County page.

Which district court hears my Chester case?

Because all three city courts are in the same building, check the court number on your notice and match it to the courtroom before the hearing. The county-wide list is in Delaware County's district courts.

How does a Chester case move, step by step?

1. The arrest or citation by Chester police, or another agency acting in the city.
2. Preliminary arraignment and bail. A person held at the county jail, the George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Thornton, can be released once bail is posted; see how bail works in Pennsylvania.
3. Preliminary hearing at 529 Penn Street before the judge for the ward; see the preliminary hearing.
4. Held for court: formal arraignment at 201 West Front Street in Media; see formal arraignment and pretrial motions.
5. Diversion, plea or trial in the Court of Common Pleas; programs are compared in diversion for non-DUI charges.

The full sequence, from central intake to sentencing, is in what happens after an arrest in Delaware County.

What should I know about the Chester Police Department?

The city describes the Chester Police Department as open around the clock, all year, and responding to approximately 4,900 calls for service per month, with a mobile app for residents. The department's public CrimeWatch page links residents to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office and to the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County.

That second link matters in domestic cases. According to the county's district court PFA page, the Domestic Abuse Project helps people file for protection from abuse and offers, with few exceptions, free legal representation through the process; the county says to go to its office before 10:30 a.m. on a weekday for a same-day court appearance. A person served with a PFA should read what happens at the final PFA hearing. The city's main government offices are at City Hall, 1 Fourth Street, according to the county's municipal directory.

What if someone is being held at the county jail?

People arrested in Chester who cannot post bail right away are held at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility on Cheyney Road in Thornton. The county says bail can be paid at the facility between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. if there are no outstanding issues, or online through the statewide ePay bail portal, with the confirmation number sent to the facility's records office. Released people are picked up in front of the facility; the county lists pickup at 1:25 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. for a 1:00 p.m. discharge and at 9:05 p.m. and 10:20 p.m. for a 9:00 p.m. discharge, and says the facility provides a one-way SEPTA fare with a transfer.

Which county programs and supervision apply to Chester cases?

Chester cases are prosecuted by the Delaware County District Attorney, so the county's programs apply. The county's Second Chance Court coordinator works from the preliminary arraignment to identify people who need substance use treatment, according to the Pre-Trial/Bail Service Unit. The DA describes a voluntary 30-month Drug Treatment Court for county residents with non-violent charges and substance use disorders, a Veterans Treatment Court, an 18-month Young Offender Program for 18 to 25 year olds charged with felony marijuana offenses, and Misdemeanor Diversion for low-level, non-violent misdemeanors. If bail includes supervision, Pre-Trial/Bail officers handle weekly call-ins, random drug testing and GPS monitoring, at no cost while on pretrial supervision.

What changes the answer?

• City or township. The City of Chester uses the three Penn Street courts; Chester Township uses 32-2-38 in Aston.
• The ward. It decides which of the three city courts hears the case.
• Marcus Hook and Trainer. Offenses there go to 32-1-22 at 529 Penn Street, with Chester's Wards 10 and 11. Nearby Ridley Township has its own courts; see Ridley Township cases.
• Custody status. A person held only on this case must have a preliminary hearing within 14 days of the preliminary arraignment (Pa.R.Crim.P. 540(G)).
• Diversion eligibility. County programs require early decisions; for drug charges, see drug possession penalties and options.
• A DUI. The PennDOT side runs separately; see what happens after a DUI arrest in Delaware County.

For example: two arrests, two courtrooms, one building

Here is a hypothetical. Two friends are arrested after the same argument, one on a street in Ward 2 and one, after walking away, in Ward 10. Their charges are filed separately and their notices list different courts: 32-1-20 for the first and 32-1-22 for the second, both at 529 Penn Street.

When charges arise from the same criminal episode in more than one magisterial district, the rules say the proceeding on all of them should be brought before one issuing authority (Pa.R.Crim.P. 130(A)(2)), so lawyers may ask that the cases be heard together. If either case is held for court, it moves to the Courthouse in Media for formal arraignment. This example only illustrates how the ward system works; it does not predict any result.

What mistakes do people make with Chester cases?

• Going to the wrong courtroom at 529 Penn Street. Check the court number.
• Confusing Chester Township with the City of Chester. They use different courts.
• Missing the preliminary hearing. A warrant issues and the case can go ahead without you.
• Contacting the complaining witness. It violates every bail bond.
• Assuming a PFA is only a family matter. Violations can bring criminal contempt.
• Waiting to get a lawyer. The first two weeks shape bail and diversion.

What should I do this week?

1. Read the court number and date on your papers.
2. Follow every bail condition.
3. Write down what happened and list witnesses.
4. If a PFA was filed, follow it exactly and note the Thursday hearing in Media.
5. Read the first-week checklist after a criminal charge.
6. Book a consultation before the preliminary hearing.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the Chester district courts?

All three city courts, 32-1-20, 32-1-21 and 32-1-22, are at 529 Penn Street, Chester, according to the county.

Is Chester Township in the same court?

No. Chester Township goes to District Court 32-2-38 at 2901 Dutton Mill Road, Aston.

Where is Chester City Hall?

At 1 Fourth Street, according to the county's municipal directory.

Where does a Chester case go after the preliminary hearing?

To the Delaware County Courthouse in Media; see what to expect at the Courthouse. The other county offices in town are in cases in Media, PA.

Does a Chester case have to be heard in Chester?

Criminal proceedings are generally brought before the district court for the place where the offense allegedly happened (Pa.R.Crim.P. 130(A)), so a Chester offense goes to 529 Penn Street even if the person lives elsewhere. After the preliminary hearing, the case moves to Media.

Can I post bail online for someone held after a Chester arrest?

Yes. The county says bail can be posted online through the statewide ePay bail portal, and the confirmation number should be sent to the facility's records office so processing can begin.

Can I get free help with a PFA petition?

The county says the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County offers help filing and, with few exceptions, free representation for petitioners.

Call Giribaldi Law at (610) 891-8303 or contact us online for a free consultation about a City of Chester case. Evening and weekend appointments are available.