New Hatboro-Horsham Court Expected This Summer

HATBORO / HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA —The Hatboro and Horsham Township courts began their consolidation with a new district justice at the start of the year.

The Hatboro Courthouse, located right below the Loller Academy on York Road, was folded and combined with the Horsham Township Courthouse at 903 Sheehy Dr.

That's where former State Rep. Todd Stephens resides as the new judge for both communities as part of a consolidation launched by Montgomery County officials.

And that's where he will remain for several more months until a new courthouse opens.

Stephens —appearing at Hatboro Borough Council Monday night to honor the borough's retiring Police Chief James Gardner —told Patch that the new courthouse is expected to open possibly in August.

The new court location will be in the Babylon Business Campus at 955 Horsham Rd.

Horsham Township officials said the Montgomery County Court rents the space from Joe Heffernan, owner of the Babylon Business Campus.

Stephens and township officials have not heard as of yet about a specific opening date for the new court.

Stephens took over as district justice at the start of the month after winning election to the post in the Nov. 7 general election. He served as state representative for 12 years before losing the election in the 151st Legislative District to Melissa Cerrato.

He replaced Judges Paul Leo in Hatboro and Harry Nesbitt in Horsham. Nesbitt was recently honored in Horsham with a proclamation for his years of service.

Patch was the first to report in October that Montgomery County would consolidate the Hatboro and Horsham courts.

The consolidation was part of a county magisterial district realignment that eliminated the Hatboro court.

The plan stated that Montgomery County has 30 Magisterial Districts while others such as Bucks, Delaware, Chester, and Lancaster counties average 21 districts.

The plan called for boundary realignment of 12 districts while 17 others remained the same with the Hatboro court being eliminated.

Hatboro officials said the lease the borough has with Montgomery County for the York Road court is expected to expire at the end of February.

The county has been using the building for storage.