Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure
Current through January 1, 2026
Part 1 · Scope Of Rules, Construction And Definitions, Local Rules
- 100 Scope of Rules
- 101 Purpose, Application, and Construction of Rules
- 102 Citing the Criminal Procedural Rules
- 102.1 Citation of Authorities
- 103 Definitions Deadlines
- 104 Design of Forms
- 105 Local Rules
- 106 Continuances in Summary and Court Cases Deadlines
- 107 Contents of Subpoena
- 108 Habeas Corpus Venue
- 109 Defects in Form, Content, or Procedure
- 110 Special Orders Governing Widely-Publicized or Sensational Cases
- 111 Public Discussion of Pending or Imminent Criminal Litigation by Court Personnel
- 112 Publicity, Broadcasting, and Recording of Proceedings
- 113 Criminal Case File and Docket Entries
- 113.1 Confidential Information and Confidential Documents. Certification
- 114 Orders and Court Notices: Filing; Service; and Docket Entries
- 115 Recording and Transcribing Court Proceedings
- 116 General Supervisory Powers of President Judge
- 117 Coverage: Issuing Warrants; Preliminary Arraignments and Summary Trials; and Setting and Accepting Bail Deadlines
- 118 Court Fees Prohibited for Two-Way Simultaneous Audio-Visual Communication
- 119 Use of Two-Way Simultaneous Audio-Visual Communication in Criminal Proceedings
- 120 Attorneys—Appearances and Withdrawals
- 121 Waiver of Counsel
- 122 Appointment of Counsel Deadlines
- 123 Application for the Assignment of Counsel
- 130 Venue; Transfer of Proceedings
- 131 Location of Proceedings Before Issuing Authority Deadlines
- 132 Temporary Assignment of Issuing Authorities
- 133 Powers of Temporarily Assigned Issuing Authorities
- 134 Objections to Venue
- 135 Transcript of Proceedings Before Issuing Authority
- 140 Contempt Proceedings Before Magisterial District Judges and Pittsburgh Magistrates Court Judges Deadlines
- 141 Appeals from Contempt Adjudications by Magisterial District Judges and Pittsburgh Magistrates Court Judges Deadlines
- 142 Procedures Governing Defaults in Payment of Fine Imposed as Punishment for Contempt Deadlines
- 150 Bench Warrants Deadlines
- 151 Bench Warrant Procedures When Witness is Under Age of 18 Years Deadlines
Part 2 · Investigations
- 200 Who May Issue Deadlines
- 201 Purpose of Warrant
- 202 Approval of Search Warrant Applications by Attorney for the Commonwealth—Local Option
- 203 Requirements for issuance Deadlines
- 204 Person to Serve Warrant Deadlines
- 205 Contents of Search Warrant Deadlines
- 206 Contents of Application for Search Warrant
- 207 Manner of Entry Into Premises Deadlines
- 208 Copy of Warrant; Receipt for Seized Property
- 209 Return With Inventory Deadlines
- 210 Return of Papers to Clerk Deadlines
- 211 Sealing Search Warrant Affidavits Deadlines
- 212 Dissemination of Search Warrant Information
- 220 Motion and Order for Investigating Grand Jury
- 221 Summoning Investigating Grand Jury
- 222 Composition and Organization of the Investigating Grand Jury
- 223 Administering Oath of Stenographer
- 224 Administering Oath of Court Personnel
- 225 Administering Oath to Grand Jury and Foreman
- 226 Charge to Investigating Grand Jury
- 227 Administering Oath to Witness
- 228 Recording of Proceedings Before Investigating Grand Jury
- 229 Control of Investigating Grand Jury Transcript/Evidence
- 230 Disclosure of Testimony Before Investigating Grand Jury
- 231 Who May be Present During Session of an Investigating Grand Jury
- 240 Applicability of Investigating Grand Jury Rules
- 241 Summoning Jurors for Statewide or Regional Investigating Grand Juries
- 242 Providing Prospective Jurors for Statewide or Regional Investigating Grand Juries
- 243 Location of Statewide or Regional Investigating Grand Juries
- 244 Venue
Part 3 · Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ard)
- 300 Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition in Summary Cases
- 301 Procedures for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition in Summary Cases Before the Minor Judiciary
- 302 Procedures for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition in Summary Cases in the Court of Common Pleas—Local Option
- 310 Motion for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition
- 311 Application Process and Notice of Motion by Attorney for the Commonwealth
- 312 Hearing, Explanation of Program
- 313 Hearing, Manner of Proceeding
- 314 Deferring Action Upon Admission to Program Before Information
- 315 Deferring Adjudication of the Charges Upon Admission to Program After Information
- 316 Conditions of the Program Deadlines
- 317 Procedure Upon Refusal to Accept the Conditions
- 318 Procedure on Charge of Violation of Conditions
- 319 Procedure for Obtaining Order for Dismissal Upon Successful Completion of the Program Deadlines
- 320 Procedure for Expungement Upon Successful Completion of ARD Program Deadlines
Part 4 · Procedures in Summary Cases
- 400 Means of Instituting Proceedings in Summary Cases Deadlines
- 401 Means of Instituting Proceedings in Summary Cases Charging Parking Violations
- 402 Persons Who Shall Use Citations
- 403 Contents of Citation Deadlines
- 405 Issuance of Citation
- 406 Procedure Following Issuance of Citation Deadlines
- 407 Pleas in Response to Citation Deadlines
- 408 Not Guilty Pleas—Notice of Trial Deadlines
- 409 Guilty Pleas Deadlines
- 410 Filing of Citation
- 411 Procedures Following Filing of Citation—Issuance of Summons Deadlines
- 412 Pleas in Response to Summons Deadlines
- 413 Not Guilty Pleas—Notice of Trial Deadlines
- 414 Guilty Pleas Deadlines
- 420 Filing of Complaint
- 421 Procedure Following Filing of Complaint—Issuance of Summons
- 422 Pleas in Response to Summons Deadlines
- 423 Not Guilty Pleas—Notice of Trial Deadlines
- 424 Guilty Pleas Deadlines
- 430 Issuance of Warrant Deadlines
- 431 Procedure When Defendant Arrested With Warrant Deadlines
- 440 Arrest Without Warrant
- 441 Procedure Following Arrest Without Warrant Deadlines
- 451 Service
- 452 Collateral
- 453 Joinder of Offenses and Defendants
- 454 Trial in Summary Cases Deadlines
- 455 Trial in Defendant’s Absence Deadlines
- 456 Default Procedures: Restitution, Fines, and Costs Deadlines
- 457 Withdrawal of Charges in Summary Cases
- 458 Dismissal in Summary Cases Upon Satisfaction or Agreement
- 460 Notice of Appeal; Transmittal of Transcript and Associated Documents Deadlines
- 461 Stays
- 462 TrialDe Novo Deadlines
- 463 Dismissal of Summary Cases Upon Satisfaction or by Agreement in the Court of Common Pleas
- 470 Procedures Related to License Suspension After Failure to Respond to Citation or Summons or Failure to Pay Fine and Costs Deadlines
- 471 Disposition Report
- 490 Procedure for Obtaining Expungement in Summary Cases; Expungement Order Deadlines
- 490.1 Procedure for Obtaining Expungement of Truancy Cases; Expungement Order Deadlines
- 490.2 Procedure for Expungement of Acquittals in Summary Cases; Expungement Order Deadlines
Part 5 · Pretrial Procedures in Court Cases
- 500 Preservation of Testimony After Institution of Criminal Proceedings
- 501 Preservation of Testimony by Videotape Recording
- 502 Instituting Proceedings in Court Cases
- 503 Complaint Procedures Generally
- 504 Contents of Complaint
- 505 Complaints: Joinder of Offenses and Defendants
- 506 Approval of Private Complaints
- 507 Approval of Police Complaints and Arrest Warrant Affidavits by Attorney for the Commonwealth—Local Option Deadlines
- 508 Procedure Following Submission of Complaint to Issuing Authority
- 509 Use of Summons or Warrant of Arrest in Court Cases Deadlines
- 510 Contents of Summons; Notice of Preliminary Hearing Deadlines
- 511 Service of Summons; Proof of Service Deadlines
- 512 Procedure in Court Cases Following Issuance of Summons
- 513 Requirements for Issuance; Dissemination of Arrest Warrant Information Deadlines
- 513.1 Sealing of Arrest Warrant Deadlines
- 514 Duplicate and Reissued Warrants of Arrest
- 515 Execution of Arrest Warrant
- 516 Procedure in Court Cases When Warrant of Arrest is Executed Within Judicial District of Issuance
- 517 Procedure in Court Cases When Warrant of Arrest is Executed Outside Judicial District of Issuance Deadlines
- 518 Using Advanced Communication Technology in Court Cases When Warrant of Arrest is Executed Outside Judicial District of Issuance
- 519 Procedure in Court Cases Initiated by Arrest Without Warrant Deadlines
- 520 Bail Before Verdict Deadlines
- 521 Bail After Finding of Guilt Deadlines
- 522 Detention of Witnesses Deadlines
- 523 Release Criteria Deadlines
- 524 Types of Release on Bail Deadlines
- 525 Bail Bond Deadlines
- 526 Conditions of Bail Bond Deadlines
- 527 Nonmonetary Conditions of Release on Bail Deadlines
- 528 Monetary Condition of Release on Bail Deadlines
- 529 Modification of Bail Order Prior to Verdict
- 530 Duties and Powers of a Bail Agency Deadlines
- 531 Qualifications of Surety Deadlines
- 532 Substitution of Surety or Security Deadlines
- 533 Increased Amount of Monetary Condition of Bail Deadlines
- 534 Duration of Obligation Deadlines
- 535 Receipt for Deposit; Return or Retention of Deposit Deadlines
- 536 Procedures Upon Violation of Conditions: Revocation of Release and Forfeiture; Bail Pieces; Exoneration of Surety Deadlines
- 540 Preliminary Arraignment Deadlines
- 541 Waiver of Preliminary Hearing Deadlines
- 542 Preliminary Hearing; Continuances Deadlines
- 543 Disposition of Case at Preliminary Hearing Deadlines
- 544 Reinstituting Charges Following Withdrawal or Dismissal Deadlines
- 545 Witnesses: Compulsory Process
- 546 Dismissal Upon Satisfaction or Agreement
- 547 Transmittal of Transcript and Associated Documents Deadlines
- 548 Amendment of Transcript in Court Cases
- 549 Compelling Transmission of Papers by Issuing Authority
- 550 Pleas of Guilty Before Magisterial District Judge in Court Cases Deadlines
- 551 Withdrawal of Charges Pending Before Issuing Authority
- 555 Transfer of Proceedings Deadlines
- 556 Indicting Grand Jury Deadlines
- 556.1 Summoning Panels of Grand Jurors Deadlines
- 556.10 Secrecy; Disclosure Deadlines
- 556.11 Proceedings When Case Presented to Grand Jury Deadlines
- 556.12 Waiver of Grand Jury Action Deadlines
- 556.13 Procedures Following Execution of Warrant of Arrest Issued Following Indictment
- 556.2 Proceeding by Indicting Grand Jury Without Preliminary Hearing Deadlines
- 556.3 Composition and Organization of the Indicting Grand Jury Deadlines
- 556.4 Challenges to Grand Jury and Grand Jurors Deadlines
- 556.5 Duration of Indicting Grand Jury Deadlines
- 556.6 Administering Oath to Grand Jury and Foreperson Deadlines
- 556.7 Administration of Oath to Witnesses; Court Personnel Deadlines
- 556.8 Recording of Testimony Before Indicting Grand Jury Deadlines
- 556.9 Who May Be Present During Sessions of Indicting Grand Jury Deadlines
- 559 Request for Bench Warrant
- 560 Information: Filing, Contents, Function Deadlines
- 561 Withdrawal of Charges by Attorney for the Commonwealth
- 562 Copy of Information to be Furnished Defendant
- 563 Joinder of Offenses in Information
- 564 Amendment of Information
- 565 Presentation of Information Without Preliminary Hearing
- 566 Application of Indictment Statutes to Information
- 567 Notice of Alibi Defense Deadlines
- 568 Notice of Defense of Insanity or Mental Infirmity; Notice of Expert Evidence of a Mental Condition Deadlines
- 569 Examination of Defendant by Mental Health Expert
- 570 Pretrial Conference
- 571 Arraignment Deadlines
- 572 Bill of Particulars Deadlines
- 573 Pretrial Discovery and Inspection Deadlines
- 574 Forensic Laboratory Report; Certification in Lieu of Expert Testimony Deadlines
- 575 Motions and Answers Deadlines
- 576 Filing and Service by Parties Deadlines
- 576.1 Electronic Filing and Service of Legal Papers Deadlines
- 577 Procedures Following Filing of Motion
- 578 Omnibus Pretrial Motion for Relief
- 579 Time for Omnibus Pretrial Motion and Service Deadlines
- 580 Disposition of Pretrial Motions
- 581 Suppression of Evidence
- 582 Joinder—Trial of Separate Indictments or Informations Deadlines
- 583 Severance of Offenses or Defendants
- 584 Motion for Change of Venue or Change of Venire
- 585 Nolle Prosequi
- 586 Court Dismissal Upon Satisfaction or Agreement
- 587 Motion for Dismissal Deadlines
- 588 Motion for Return of Property Deadlines
- 589 Pretrial Disposition of Summary Offenses Joined with Misdemeanor, Felony, or Murder Charges
- 590 Pleas and Plea Agreements Deadlines
- 591 Withdrawal of Plea of Guilty orNolo Contendere Deadlines
- 595 Mandatory Status Conference Deadlines
- 596 Motion Requesting Transfer from Criminal Proceedings to Juvenile Proceedings Deadlines
- 597 Procedures Following the Filing of a Motion Requesting Transfer from Criminal Proceedings to Juvenile Proceedings Deadlines
- 598 Place of Detention During Procedures for Transfer from Criminal Proceedings to Juvenile Proceedings Pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 6322
Part 6 · Trial Procedures in Court Cases
- 600 Prompt Trial Deadlines
- 601 Presence of Judge
- 602 Presence of the Defendant
- 603 Exceptions
- 604 Opening Statements and Closing Arguments
- 605 Mistrial
- 606 Challenges to Sufficiency of Evidence Deadlines
- 607 Challenges to the Weight of the Evidence
- 608 Motion for Judgment of Acquittal After Discharge of Jury Deadlines
- 620 Waiver of Jury Trial Deadlines
- 621 Procedure When Jury Trial Is Waived
- 622 Time for Court Action Following Non-Jury Trial Deadlines
- 625 Juror Qualification Form, Lists of Trial Jurors, and Challenge to the Array Deadlines
- 626 Preliminary Instructions to Prospective and Selected Jurors
- 627 Sanctions for Use of Prohibited Electronic Devices
- 631 Examination and Challenges of Trial Jurors
- 632 Juror Information Questionnaire Deadlines
- 633 Examination and Challenges of Alternate Trial Jurors
- 634 Number of Peremptory Challenges
- 635 Exhaustion of the Jury Panel
- 640 Swearing the Trial Jury to Hear the Cause
- 641 Consent to Be Tried by Less Than Twelve Jurors
- 642 Sequestration of Trial Jurors Deadlines
- 643 View by Jury
- 644 Note Taking by Jurors
- 645 Seating and Retention of Alternate Jurors
- 646 Material Permitted in Possession of the Jury Deadlines
- 647 Request for Instructions, Charge to the Jury, and Preliminary Instructions
- 648 Verdicts Deadlines
- 649 Sealed Verdict Deadlines
Part 7 · Post-trial Procedures in Court Cases
- 700 Sentencing Judge
- 701 Pleas of Guilty to Multiple Offenses Deadlines
- 702 Aids in Imposing Sentence Deadlines
- 703 Disclosure of Pre-Sentence Reports Deadlines
- 704 Procedure at Time of Sentencing Deadlines
- 705 Imposition of Sentence Deadlines
- 705.1 Restitution
- 706 Fines or Costs Deadlines
- 707 Documents Transmitted to Prison Deadlines
- 708 Violation of Probation, Intermediate Punishment, or Parole: Hearing and Disposition Deadlines
- 720 Post-Sentence Procedures; Appeal Deadlines
- 721 Procedures for Commonwealth Challenges to Sentencing; Sentencing Appeals Deadlines
- 771 Disposition Report to the Department of Transportation
- 790 Procedure for Obtaining Expungement in Court Cases; Expungement Order Deadlines
- 790.2 Procedure for Expungement of Acquittals in Court Cases; Expungement Order Deadlines
- 791 Procedure for Obtaining Order for Limited Access in Court Cases; Order for Limited Access Deadlines
Part 8 · Special Rules For Cases in Which Death Sentence is Authorized
- 800 Applicability of Part A
- 801 Qualifications for Defense Counsel in Capital Cases Deadlines
- 802 Notice of Aggravating Circumstances Deadlines
- 803 Guilty Plea Procedure
- 804 Procedure When Jury Trial is Waived
- 805 No Sealed Verdict
- 806 Closing Arguments at Sentencing Hearing
- 807 Sentencing Verdict Slip
- 808 Form for Jury Sentencing Verdict Slip
- 809 Form for Trial Judge Sentencing Verdict Slip
- 810 Sentence
- 811 Post-Sentence Motion Deadlines
- 840 Scope
- 841 Notice of Mental Retardation Precluding Imposition of Sentence of Death Deadlines
- 842 Examination of the Defendant by Mental Health Expert
- 843 Optional Pretrial Hearing Deadlines
- 844 Sentencing Procedures in Cases in which the Defendant’s Mental Retardation is Asserted
- 845 Form for Sentencing Verdict Slip in Cases in which the Defendant’s Mental Retardation is Asserted
Part 9 · Post-conviction Collateral Proceedings
- 900 Scope; Notice In Death Penalty Cases Deadlines
- 901 Initiation of Post-Conviction Collateral Proceedings Deadlines
- 902 Content of Petition for Post-Conviction Collateral Relief; Request for Discovery
- 903 Docketing and Assignment Deadlines
- 904 Entry of Appearances and Appointment of Counsel; In Forma Pauperis
- 905 Amendment and Withdrawal of Petition for Post-Conviction Collateral Relief
- 906 Answer to Petition for Post-Conviction Collateral Relief Deadlines
- 907 Disposition Without Hearing Deadlines
- 908 Hearing Deadlines
- 909 Procedures for Petitions in Death Penalty Cases: Stays of Execution of Sentence; Hearing; Disposition Deadlines
- 910 Appeal Deadlines
Part 10 · Rules Of Criminal Procedure For The Philadelphia Municipal Court And The Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division
- 1000 Scope of Rules
- 1001 Disposition of Criminal Cases—Philadelphia Municipal Court Deadlines
- 1002 Procedure in Summary Cases Deadlines
- 1003 Procedure in Non-Summary Municipal Court Cases Deadlines
- 1004 Arraignment Prior to Trial
- 1005 Pretrial Applications for Relief Deadlines
- 1006 Notice of Right to Appeal or to Petition forCertiorari; Guilty Plea Challenge Procedure Deadlines
- 1007 Challenge to Guilty Plea Deadlines
- 1008 Contents of Notice of Appeal or Petition for Certiorari
- 1009 Notice to Municipal Court Judge and Attorney for the Commonwealth of Appeal or of Petition for Certiorari
- 1010 Procedures for TrialDe Novo Deadlines
- 1011 Bail Deadlines
- 1012 Recording and Transcribing Municipal Court Proceedings; Admissibility of Testimony at Trial De Novo
- 1013 Prompt Trial—Municipal Court Deadlines
- 1030 Scope of Summary Municipal Court Traffic Division Rules
- 1031 Institution of Proceedings in Summary Traffic Cases Deadlines
- 1032 Pleas in Response to Citation
- 1033 Procedures When Defendant Arrested with Warrant Deadlines
- 1034 Collateral
- 1035 Appointment of Counsel
- 1036 Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division Hearing Officers
- 1037 Appeal from Summary Conviction Deadlines