The Summary Appeal Process
An individual charged with a traffic citation or other summary offense has the right to contest that charge before the appropriate District Justice. In the event the individual is found guilty by the District Justice, they may then take a summary appeal to the Court of Common Pleas, where they would be entitled to a new hearing on the merits of the case.
At this summary appeal, a prosecutor would then become involved in the case by representing the commonwealth and presenting testimony from the police officer filing the charge, as well as any other witness to the offense.