The Pennsylvania Superior Court is a statewide appellate court that reviews civil and criminal cases appealed from the Courts of Common Pleas. It is one of two intermediate appellate courts in Pennsylvania, the other being the Commonwealth Court. 

Main Responsibilities of the PA Superior Court

• Reviewing Appeals: Handles appeals from the Courts of Common Pleas in civil, criminal, and family law matters.

• Ensuring Legal Consistency: Provides guidance on legal interpretations to maintain consistency across Pennsylvania's judicial system.

• Deciding on Errors of Law: Determines whether legal errors occurred during trial court proceedings that warrant reversal or modification of a decision.

• Handling Specific Types of Cases: Addresses a wide range of cases, including criminal convictions, contract disputes, property disputes, custody issues, and more.

• Supervising Lower Courts: Offers precedents and rulings that shape practices in Pennsylvania’s trial courts.

• Managing Workload Distribution: Functions as a high-volume appellate court, handling thousands of cases annually. The PA Superior Court is the busiest appellate court in the entire nation.

Judges

• Superior Court judges serve ten-year terms. 

• Judges may hold their seats if they win a retention vote. 

• Superior Court judges must retire from active service at the age of 75.