The Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas are Pennsylvania's courts of general trial jurisdiction. They have existed in Pennsylvania at least since the state Constitution of 1776, under which they received constitutional status. The Common Pleas Courts are organized into 60 judicial districts, which generally follow the geographic boundaries of the Commonwealth's counties.
Judicial elections occur in odd-numbered years.
Vacancies occurring before an election may be filled by gubernatorial appointment, subject to Senate confirmation, until such time as an election is held. Judges are reelected at the pleasure of the electorate. This provision was designed to remove judges from the pressure of the political arena once they begin their first term of office. Governor Tom Ridge appointed Susan Ruffner to the Court of Common Pleas in the late fall of 1998. The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved her nomination.