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Gateway to Government
The Constitution of Pennsylvania is the foundation of our state government. The Constitution establishes the three branches of government for the counties:
- The County Executive is responsible for overseeing county operations that serve the residents and municipalities of Northampton County, and oversees the departments of Administration, Community & Economic Development, Corrections, Court Services, Fiscal Affairs, Human Resources, Human Services, and Public Works, and the offices of the Coroner, Public Defender, Sheriff, and Solicitor.
- The Common Pleas Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in the Commonwealth. It is here that criminal prosecutions are brought, claims for money damages in complex civil cases are tried, and all matters relating to the family are presented. Juvenile court cases, estate matters, adoptions, property disputes and equity issues are all heard at this level.
- The County Council is the governing body of the County, and exercises legislative power subject to the provisions of the Northampton County Home Rule Charter. County Council is empowered to levy taxes, set salaries, adopt budgets, ordinances and resolutions. County Council consists of nine elected members, four of which represent specific districts, and five which are elected at-large throughout the entire County.
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