Judge Richard G. Opiela

 District Judge Opiela’s Office is under the supervision and administrative control of the 5th Judicial District, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas President Judge.

• District Judge Opiela is elected by the citizens of Ross Township and Borough of West View to a six year term.
• District Judge Opiela represents a community based system where citizens may resolve their neighborhood disputes in North Hills.
• During non-business hours, Pittsburgh Municipal Court (PMC) located next to the Allegheny County, serves as an after-hours emergency duty court insuring the continual availability of at least one issuing authority in the Fifth Judicial District, e.g. Emergency PFA’s.
• During regular business hours, District Court 05-2-02, located on the 2nd floor of 439 Perry Highway, was established to efficiently adjudicate legal matters originating in Ross Township and the Borough of West View in the following matters:
  • All summary criminal and traffic citations;
  • All Civil matters (contracts, torts, landlord/tenant) not exceeding $8,000 at issue;
  • Presiding over preliminary arraignments, hearings, setting bail and issuing warrants of arrests in all misdemeanor and felony cases;
  • Granting emergency relief from abuse petitions under the Protection from abuse Act (PFA’s)
  • Presiding over local ordinance violations, e.g. failure to file earned income tax or property maintenance violations
  • Issuance of Search Warrants to law enforcement officers;
  • Perform Wedding Ceremonies, and,
  • viii. Preside over Homicide Preliminary Hearings (PMC only)