The Magisterial District Judge System is a system of minor court judges designed to hear cases involving traffic violations, minor criminal matters, disputes between landlords and tenants, and civil cases such as contract matters or injuries with damages claimed up to $12,000. The system also carries initial jurisdiction over all criminal cases, rendering decisions on the issuance of warrants, and finding sufficient justification to send misdemeanor and felony cases to the Courts of Common Pleas for further action.