Traffic Ticket in Norristown? Judge Todd N. Barnes, District Court 38-2-09 Address, Phone & How to Fight It

Looking for the judge, address, or phone number behind your traffic ticket in part of Norristown Borough? Traffic and summary cases from these municipalities are heard at Magisterial District Court 38-2-09, the court of Magisterial District Judge Todd N. Barnes. Here is the court's full contact information and a step-by-step look at how to handle your citation.

Magisterial District Court 38-2-09 Contact Information

• Court: Montgomery County Magisterial District Court 38-2-09

• Judge: Magisterial District Judge Todd N. Barnes

• Address: 601 DeKalb Street, Suite 100, Norristown, PA 19401

• Phone: (610) 945-9156

• Fax: (610) 994-2882

• Email: DC38209@montgomerycountypa.gov

• Office hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Public access hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Contact information is taken from the Montgomery County Magisterial District Court directory effective January 5, 2026. Office details can change, so call the court before you visit or mail anything.

What Municipalities Does District Court 38-2-09 Cover?

Magisterial District Court 38-2-09 handles traffic tickets, summary offenses, and other minor cases arising in:

• Part of Norristown Borough

Montgomery County is divided into 29 magisterial districts, and some municipalities are split between more than one court. The district number on your citation controls which court has your case.

How to Find Out Which Judge Has Your Traffic Ticket

Look at the top of your citation for the magisterial district number (for example, 38-2-09) and a docket or citation number. You can also search your name or docket number on the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania web portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us, which lists the assigned court, the judge, the charges, and any hearing date.

How to Handle a Traffic Ticket in Norristown

In Pennsylvania, you generally have 10 days after receiving a traffic citation to respond to the court. You usually have two choices:

• Plead guilty and pay. Paying the ticket is a guilty plea. The conviction is reported to PennDOT, points may be added to your driving record, and your insurance rates may go up.

• Plead not guilty and request a hearing. Mark "not guilty" on the citation and send it back to District Court 38-2-09 (keep a copy and use a trackable mailing method). The court will schedule a summary trial and mail you a hearing notice. The court may require you to post collateral, often the amount of the fine and costs, which is returned or applied depending on the outcome.

Whatever you do, do not ignore the ticket. Failing to respond to a traffic citation can lead PennDOT to suspend your driver's license, and failing to respond to a non-traffic summary citation can result in a warrant for your arrest.

Why Pleading Not Guilty Is Often the Smart Move

For most drivers, pleading not guilty and sending the citation back to court for a hearing preserves every option. At a summary trial before Judge Barnes, the Commonwealth must prove the violation beyond a reasonable doubt, usually through the testimony of the officer who wrote the ticket. A hearing creates opportunities that simply paying the fine does not:

• The charge may be dismissed if the officer does not appear or the evidence falls short

• The violation may be amended to a lesser or no-point offense

• You may avoid points that lead to PennDOT warning letters, exams, or suspension (6 or more points triggers PennDOT action)

• You protect your insurance rates and your record

• If you are found guilty, you have 30 days to appeal to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas for a new trial

Summary Offenses at District Court 38-2-09

Magisterial District Courts also hear non-traffic summary offenses, such as disorderly conduct, harassment, public drunkenness, underage drinking, criminal mischief, and first-offense retail theft of low-value items. Summary offenses are criminal charges. A conviction can carry fines, possible jail time of up to 90 days, and a criminal record that shows up on background checks. These cases deserve the same serious defense as any other criminal matter.

A Born-and-Raised Montgomery County Traffic Lawyer

Your ticket is a local problem, and it deserves a local lawyer. CDM LAW is based in Conshohocken, and attorney Christopher D. Mandracchia is a Montgomery County native who was born and raised here. A former prosecutor who handles many traffic matters and summary trials, he appears in Magisterial District Courts throughout the county, including District Court 38-2-09 serving Norristown.

Whether you received a speeding ticket, a red-light or stop-sign violation, a careless driving citation, a suspended-license ticket, or a non-traffic summary citation in Norristown, we can help you plead not guilty, prepare for your hearing, and appear with you at District Court 38-2-09. Depending on the facts, a hearing may give us the chance to seek a reduced charge or a dismissal.

Contact CDM LAW today: 815 Fayette Street, Suite 200, Conshohocken, PA 19428 · (610) 994-0281 · cdm@cdmattorneys.com. Do not wait until your 10-day deadline passes. Call us or send a message using the form below.

CDM LAW is a private law firm and is not affiliated with Magisterial District Court 38-2-09, the Montgomery County courts, or any judge. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice; reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.