I know! I know!! Jury Duty sometimes feels like a setup, but it's your civic duty. Make sure you…read moreget there early because the lines to get in are always super long, especially because cases are ACTUALLY occurring while you're going through the juror selection process. Make sure you are early enough to stop and get something to eat because they no longer offer food other than from a vending machine. Once in the juror selection room, make sure you pay attention to all instructions. Watch the little video and fill out the questionnaire honestly. The staff that I've interacted with have always been kind and courteous as long as you are the same. It sucks to sit there for hours, but there is a bright side. Your JUROR badge gets you a 10% discount at any of the shops in Reading Terminal Market. One tip I've always found works: if you really don't want to be selected for jury duty, act like you do want to be there! This particular occasion, I wasn't selected, received my $9 check and was on my way.

My stepdad has long drilled it into my head that jury duty is a civic responsibility, and I have to…read moresay I agree with him. As much as I still dread to see the jury duty slip come through the mail slot, I accept the call to action. Maybe it's my easygoing attitude that keeps landing me in the jury box! I just completed my second stint as a juror on a criminal case (first time in Philly - the other case was when I was a NJ resident). I have to say, I found the whole thing fascinating, if a bit time consuming. There are inconveniences involved for sure. The expense of getting to and from, not to mention lunches out each day. But probably the worst is giving up your cell phone the moment you get into the court room. They take this so seriously, even though they send you home with all the Internet access in the world each night. I don't understand it and I suspect it has more to do with not trusting people to have their phone on airplane mode or off in the courtroom, than it does with having Internet access. Pro-tips for potential jurors: serving on jury duty even for just a day will get you discounts at nearby restaurants and some Reading Terminal Market vendors. Be sure to ask about the discount! Also, you can bring coffee or other beverages into the building, but not in glass or aluminum containers. We had a laid-back judge who also allowed us to bring beverages into the courtroom. Trust me, you're gonna need a steady infusion of coffee if you get selected. Overall, my experience was interesting and fairly pleasant, but I'm off the hook for the next three years and not sad about it. I'm sure I'll be back at some point, hopefully in the distant future.

Very clean facility. All staff our polite with no attitude…read moregiven Was there for jury duty You must goto market street side to access building with less aggravation

Served Federal jury duty here, the jury clerks were very nice. Judge was very nice. Nice facility…read moreoverall and very close to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall and visitor's center.

Happy Valentine's Day to all the true believers out there. Here at the Philadelphia Family Court…read moreour motto is simple and heartfelt -- enjoy all the flowers and chocolate and remember we'll be seeing at least 50% of you real soon. XOXOXO from the PFC. BTW, Cupid says Hi.

Judge Sulman is incompetent. And he should've never been a judge. Do families some justice and…read morequit. You know that you don't belong on that bench to say the least. He and Cooper family law will have compensate the damages to my property. Sulman showed no respect to judge Fords PFA and Cooper the crook attorney added their bias "baseless" comments on court documents as a result there is over a hundred thousand dollars worth of damages to my personal property that he or family court will have to address once all the damages is accounted and civil suit is filed. How would Sulman feel if someone caused damages to his property whether directly or indirect. Does he know how much it cost to replace a soiled and rotted joist and everything sitting atop of it. Kitchen and bathroom. I would like to make this case public every step of the way. Pics will be posted later with court documents. I hope judge Sulman has the decency and understanding to step down and own his incompetence. U know what you did in that court room. Even the officer in the court room was confused. Sulman should strongly consider STEPPING DOWN!!! And Cooper the crook shame on you. Never underestimate a family lawyers greed.Family court needs to pay close attention to Coopers tactics.

It was a surprisingly PLEASANT experience. I was here a couple of days ago with my friend. She was…read morethere to contest a speeding ticket and we were both concerned that it would be this HUGE ordeal. It was raining, we were kinda running late. We arrived 5 mins before her appointment at 2:30pm, walked in, went through the metal detectors, everyone was friendly and greeted us, gave us directions to exactly where we needed to go... my friend spoke to a woman and told her the situation, she then spoke to a judge, signed a paper, paid her ticket and we were done. From the moment we walked in, handled the ticket, paid and walk back out... I would say it took no more than ten minutes... I would lean more towards eight minutes. Everyone was super friendly and the place was just about empty. It was appreciated.

Surprisingly, things went really well. No drama, no chaos, everyone followed instructions, judge…read morecame out quickly and got right to dealing with your tickets. The judge in courtroom A (white older guy with a blonde toupee) was fair, funny and allowed you to explain what happened. Both tickets ($122 each) for not signing my registration card and allegedly making an "illegal" U turn were dismissed. They said I owed $75 bucks from 2003?!?! Really? I was advised to write the administrative judge to get that thrown out. Oh, if you ever get pulled over by a very very nasty officer like I did, google their full name and district, you'll be surprise what comes up about them. Typically where there is smoke, there is fire!! Remember to do everything with a big SMILE, it irritates people and can turn a bad situation around!

Went on a *SATURDAY* to get passports for my 3 kids. The lady helping us was on fire! Like a…read moremachine! She sped us through the process and it was so easy. You do have to enter via Orange Street on the weekends and walk down a pathway. But it was such a great experience compared to a post office!

Case was continued without being heard. after waiting in the courtroom for 6 hours it was revealed…read morea third party had been recording. Following the removal of the third party, the entire case was continued and everyone was asked to leave. Its completely unreasonable for a third party to cause a "continuance" which really felt more like a dismissal since we never got called to speak. completely unfair place with pushy rude police officers. avoid at all costs. Zero stars.

I was here yesterday and told I could court back today once I printed certain paperwork! I spent…read moreover $8 to park, again, heart patient through traffic and all just to be told once I got upstairs that the building would be closed last minute! I work during the week and this is urgent to get filed and I dont know when I can get back down here. The city doesn't care, they just wanted the day off. What a waste of all the things I moved around to be here when the hours are clearly 9-5pm!!!! a week hold up costs me money and time waiting just to get into litigation or mediation. I hate the way this city runs.

Go with a lawyer. The Judges will listen to a lawyer if the lawyer says midgets grow in the…read moresunlight. They badger pro se plaintifs, and they are as daft a dead pet hamster. The municipal court system in Philadelphia is run by idiots, and is reminiscent of the 1960's Planet of the Apes starring Charleton Heston. Yes, seriously. On the other hand simply try to avoid the judges. See if you can settle out of court and sometimes the action of bringing suit against someone gets attention. Do not expect human intelligence from the judges and by all means turn your cell phone off.

What can you really say? You're here for a gross experience and I'm always anxious walking up to…read morethe ominious building. There is a security check and conveyer belt as you walk in, plenty of security guards and someone you sign in with. We were excited to have an early time but we weren't so thrilled to find out that we had to wait regardless. This was based on which parties were 'completely present'. We lucked out and truly were first. Make sure to take your 'pacifier' (iPhones, etc. electronics) with you, b/c you're usually in for a long wait and day - blach!

Luckily I've only ever been here for Jury Duty- so far only twice. The courthouse is easy to locate…read moreand the inside is easy to navigate. The security and jury workers are all very friendly and willing to point lost jurors in the right direction. There is free jury parking on 3rd street, the court also offers a free shuttle- so you don't have to walk around Camden. The Jurors are put on the bottom floor in two separate rooms with chairs and TVs- it is pretty cold down there, so bring layers. There is also a small "cafe" on the lower level- I would suggest skipping it. You are better off either packing a lunch or going out for it.

I have been to this courthouse on several occasions for several different reasons and I have never…read moreleft there feeling the way I felt just now. I am going to comment very candidly about my experience here today. First of all when you have folks coming in to Family Court I think it goes without saying that there is going to be a lot of sensitive information being discussed. There is not an ounce of privacy in any of the Family Court departments. You are forced to stand in front of a pane of glass and discuss your business aloud in front of everyone. It's disgusting and humiliating. Second you have employees who don't know what they are talking about wasting your time. After having to once again shout my business there at yet another clerk behind a pane of glass I was directed to fill out a form. A half hour later when I return to the window to present my filled out form I am told by the clerks co worker that it's the wrong form and what you actually need is this packet oh and the packet cost 5.00! "Oooh, I'm so sorry", the first clerk chimes in, "that was my fault, I misunderstood her." "Really? Then why don't you pay the 5.00 for me!", is what I wanted to say but I held my tongue. Despicable.

The New Castle County Courthouse is located on a 5.3-acre site in the City of Wilmington, bordered…read moreby 4th, 6th, Walnut and King Streets. What's to say? I mean it's court. Who enjoys going to court? Whether it's for Jury Duty, you were sent a subpoena, or you work there. It all suck!! The parking is overpriced and seems a bit shady to walk through. When I interned for the Department of Justice, I refused to park here. I parked at the hotel right before the courthouse. It's cheaper, well lit, and has 24/hr security. There was a shooting at the courthouse last year. A deranged husband shot his wife, while on their way to a divorce hearing. The court has stepped up their security since then, and now you can only enter through the front doors. PLEASE DO EVERYONE A FAVOR!! Leave your cell phones in your car. If you do not have a car, the court will provide lockers for you to put electronics in. Nothing is worse than standing in the line to enter the metal detectors and that one guy holds up the line for having a cell phone on him. Don't be "That Guy!" **The New Castle County Court House will open to the public at 8:15 a.m. Monday through Friday until further notice. The front doors will be locked until that time. Employees wishing to gain access to the courthouse prior to 8:15 a.m. may do so by using their key card. While modifications to the current hours of operation are currently under review, no changes have been made at this time.