Rutenberg v. Philadelphia

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Barnes,

This appeal challenges the constitutionality of the “1937 Magistrates’ Court Act.” This act contains two classes of provisions, those providing for a civil division of the magistrates’ courts, and those relating to their criminal side. We are of opinion that while the sections setting up a so-called civil division are invalid, the sections relating to the criminal jurisdiction of these courts are constitutional and severable from the invalid provisions of the act.

It seems to us that the primary purpose of the act is to effect worthy and needed reforms in the…