Pennsylvania § 3152 - Tenure of judicial officers.
Full text of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 3152 — Tenure of judicial officers., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 3152. Tenure of judicial officers.
(a) Judges and magisterial district judges.--The regular term of office of judges and magisterial district judges shall be as follows:
(1) Judges of the Philadelphia Municipal Court and the Traffic Court of Philadelphia--Six years.
(2) Judges of the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court--Four years.
(3) All other judges--Ten years.
(4) Magisterial district judges--Six years.
(b) Effect of changes.--The tenure of any judge or magisterial district judge shall not be affected by changes in judicial or magisterial districts or by reduction in the number of judges or magisterial districts. Where a multicounty judicial district is divided by statute into two or more districts or where a county is transferred by statute from one judicial district to another, a judge shall continue to be or shall become a judge of that judicial district which embraces the county of that person's residence at the effective date of the change. Where the boundaries of a magisterial district are revised pursuant to section 1503 (relating to reestablishment of districts) a magisterial district judge shall continue to be or shall become a magisterial district judge of the magisterial district in which that person resides at the effective date of the change.
(c) Appointive judicial officers.--Except as otherwise provided or prescribed by law, appointive judicial officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Mental health review officers shall be appointed for terms not to exceed one year, and may be reappointed to successive terms.
(Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days)
2004 Amendment. Act 207 amended subsecs. (a) and (b). See section 29 of Act 207 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to construction of law.
1978 Amendment. Act 53 amended subsecs. (b) and (c).
References in Text. The Traffic Court of Philadelphia, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), was abolished by Joint Resolution No.2 of 2016.
Cross References. Section 3152 is referred to in sections 3131, 3153 of this title.
Source: official Pennsylvania text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania § 3152
What does Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 3152 cover?
Section 3152 ("Tenure of judicial officers.") is part of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, the codified statutory law of Pennsylvania. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Pennsylvania § 3152?
A common citation format is "Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 3152" (Pennsylvania). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Pennsylvania law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Pennsylvania official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.
How does Pennsylvania § 3152 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania.