Opinion
No. 398.
January 27, 2011.
Criminal Procedural Rules.
ORDER
AND NOW, this 27th day of January, 2011, the proposal having been made without publication pursuant to Pa.R.J.A. No. 103(a)(3) in the interests of justice and efficient administration:
IT IS ORDERED pursuant to Article V, Section 10 of the Constitution of Pennsylvania that Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure 542, 543, 1001, and 1003 are amended, all in the attached form.
This ORDER shall be processed in accordance with Pa.R.J.A. No. 103(b), and shall be effective in 30 days.
RULE 542. PRELIMINARY HEARING; CONTINUANCES.
(A) The attorney for the Commonwealth may appear at a preliminary hearing and:
(1) assume charge of the prosecution; and
(2) recommend to the issuing authority that the defendant be discharged or bound over to court according to law.
(B) When no attorney appears on behalf of the Commonwealth at a preliminary hearing, the affiant may be permitted to ask questions of any witness who testifies.
(C) The defendant shall be present at any preliminary hearing except as provided in these rules, and may:
(1) be represented by counsel;
(2) cross-examine witnesses and inspect physical evidence offered against the defendant;
(3) call witnesses on the defendant's behalf, other than witnesses to the defendant's good reputation only;
(4) offer evidence on the defendant's own behalf, and testify; and
(5) make written notes of the proceedings, or have counsel do so, or make a stenographic, mechanical, or electronic record of the proceedings.
(D) At the preliminary hearing, the issuing authority shall determine from the evidence presented whether there is a prima facie case that (1) an offense has been committed and (2) the defendant has committed it. (E) Hearsay as provided by law shall be considered by the issuing authority in determining whether a prima facie case has been established. Hearsay evidence shall be sufficient to establish any element of an offense requiring proof of the ownership of, non-permitted use of, damage to, or value of property. [(D)] (F) In any case in which a summary offense is joined with a misdemeanor, felony, or murder charge, the issuing authority shall not proceed on the summary offense except as provided in Rule 543(F). [(E)] (G) CONTINUANCES
(1) The issuing authority may, for cause shown, grant a continuance and shall note on the transcript every continuance together with:
(a) the grounds for granting each continuance;
(b) the identity of the party requesting such continuance; and
(c) the new date and time for the preliminary hearing, and the reasons that the particular date was chosen.
(2) The issuing authority shall give notice of the new date and time for the preliminary hearing to the defendant, the defendant's attorney of record, if any, and the attorney for the Commonwealth.
(a) The notice shall be in writing.
(b) Notice shall be served on the defendant either in person or by first class mail.
(c) Notice shall be served on defendant's attorney of record and the attorney for the Commonwealth either by personal delivery, or by leaving a copy for or mailing a copy to the attorneys at the attorneys' offices.
COMMENT: As the judicial officer presiding at the preliminary hearing, the issuing authority controls the conduct of the preliminary hearing generally. When an attorney appears on behalf of the Commonwealth, the prosecution of the case is under the control of that attorney. When no attorney appears at the preliminary hearing on behalf of the Commonwealth, the issuing authority may ask questions of any witness who testifies, and the affiant may request the issuing authority to ask specific questions. In the appropriate circumstances, the issuing authority may also permit the affiant to question Commonwealth witnesses, cross-examine defense witnesses, and make recommendations about the case to the issuing authority.
Paragraph (C)(3) is intended to make clear that the defendant may call witnesses at a preliminary hearing only to negate the existence of a prima facie case, and not merely for the purpose of discovering the Commonwealth's case. The modification changes the language of the rule interpreted by the Court in Commonwealth v. Mullen, 460 Pa. 336, 333 A.2d 755 (1975). This amendment was made to preserve the limited function of a preliminary hearing.
[Former paragraph (D) concerning the procedures when a prima facie case is found was deleted in 2004 as unnecessary because the same procedures are set forth in Rule 543 (Disposition of Case at Preliminary Hearing).]
Paragraph (E) was added to the rule in 2011 to clarify that traditionally our courts have not applied the law of evidence in its full rigor in proceedings such as preliminary hearings, especially with regard to the use of hearsay to establish the elements of a prima facie case. See the Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence generally, but in particular, Article VIII. Accordingly, hearsay, whether written or oral, may establish the elements enumerated in paragraph (E). That enumeration is not comprehensive, and hearsay is admissible to establish other matters as well. The presence of witnesses to establish these elements is not required at the preliminary hearing. See also Rule 1003 concerning preliminary hearings in Philadelphia Municipal Court.
If the case is held for court, the normal rules of evidence will apply at trial.
For the procedures when a defendant fails to appear for the preliminary hearing, see Rule 543(D).
In cases in which summary offenses are joined with misdemeanor, felony, or murder charges, pursuant to paragraph [(D)] (F) , during the preliminary hearing, the issuing authority is prohibited from proceeding on the summary offenses, including the taking of evidence on the summary offenses, or adjudicating or disposing of the summary offenses except as provided in Rule 543(F).
For the contents of the transcript, see Rule 135.
NOTE: Former Rule 141, previously Rule 120, adopted June 30, 1964, effective January 1, 1965; suspended January 31, 1970, effective May 1, 1970; revised January 31, 1970, effective May 1, 1970; renumbered Rule 141 and amended September 18, 1973, effective January 1, 1974; amended June 30, 1975, effective July 30, 1975; amended October 21, 1977, effective January 1, 1978; paragraph (D) amended April 26, 1979, effective July 1, 1979; amended February 13, 1998, effective July 1, 1998; rescinded October
8, 1999, effective January 1, 2000. Former Rule 142, previously Rule 124, adopted June 30, 1964, effective January 1, 1965, suspended effective May 1, 1970; present rule adopted January 31, 1970, effective May 1, 1970; renumbered Rule 142 September 18, 1973, effective January 1, 1974; amended October 22, 1981, effective January 1, 1982; effective date extended to July 1, 1982; amended July 12, 1985, effective January 1, 1986, effective date extended to July 1, 1986; rescinded October 8, 1999, effective January 1, 2000. New Rule 141, combining former Rules 141 and 142, adopted October 8, 1999, effective January 1, 2000; renumbered Rule 542 and Comment revised March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001; amended August 24, 2004, effective August 1, 2005; amended March 9, 2006, effective September 1, 2006; amended May 1, 2007, effective September 4, 2007, and May 1, 2007 Order amended May 15, 2007 [.] ; amended January 27, 2011, effective in 30 days.
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COMMITTEE EXPLANATORY REPORTS :
Final Report explaining the February 13, 1998 amendments concerning questioning of witnesses published with the Court's Order at 28 Pa.B. 1127 (February 28, 1998).
Final Report explaining new Rule 141 published with the Court's Order at 29 Pa.B. 5509 (October 23, 1999).
Final Report explaining the March 1, 2000 reorganization and renumbering of the rules published with the Court's Order at 30 Pa.B. 1478 (March 18, 2000) .
Final Report explaining the August 24, 2004 amendments concerning notice published with the Court's Order at 34 Pa.B. 5025 (September 11, 2004).
Final Report explaining the March 9, 2006 amendments to paragraph (D) published with the Court's Order at 36 Pa.B. 1392 (March 25, 2006).
Final Report explaining the May 1, 2007 amendments deleting the certified mail service requirement from paragraph [(D)] (E) (2)(b) published with the Court's Order at 37 Pa.B. 2503 (June 2, 2007).
RULE 543. DISPOSITION OF CASE AT PRELIMINARY HEARING.
(A) At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, the decision of the issuing authority shall be publicly pronounced.
(B) If the issuing authority finds that the Commonwealth has establishe d [s] a prima facie case that an offense has been committed and the defendant has committed it [of the defendant's guilt], the issuing authority shall hold the defendant for court on the offense(s) on which the Commonwealth established a prima facie case . [Otherwise,] If there is no offense for which a prima facie case has been established, the issuing authority shall discharge the defendant [shall be discharged].
(C) When the defendant has appeared and has been held for court, the issuing authority shall:
(1) set bail as permitted by law if the defendant did not receive a preliminary arraignment; or
(2) continue the existing bail order, unless the issuing authority modifies the order as permitted by Rule 529(A); and
(3) if the defendant has not submitted to the administrative processing and identification procedures as authorized by law, such as fingerprinting pursuant to Rule 510(C)(2), make compliance with these processing procedures a condition of bail.
(D) In any case in which the defendant fails to appear for the preliminary hearing:
(1) if the issuing authority finds that the defendant did not receive notice of the preliminary hearing by a summons served pursuant to Rule 511, a warrant of arrest shall be issued pursuant to Rule 509(2)(d).
(2) If the issuing authority finds that there was good cause explaining the defendant's failure to appear, the issuing authority shall continue the preliminary hearing to a specific date and time, and shall give notice of the new date and time as provided in Rule 542 [(E] (G) (2). The issuing authority shall not issue a bench warrant.
(3) If the issuing authority finds that the defendant's absence is without good cause and after notice, the absence shall be deemed a waiver by the defendant of the right to be present at any further proceedings before the issuing authority.
(a) In these cases, the issuing authority shall proceed with the case in the same manner as though the defendant were present.
(b) If the preliminary hearing is conducted and the case held for court, the issuing authority shall
(i) give the defendant notice by first class mail of the results of the preliminary hearing and that a bench warrant has been requested; and
(ii) pursuant to Rule 547, transmit the transcript to the clerk of courts with a request that a bench warrant be issued by the court of common pleas and, if the defendant has not complied with the fingerprint order issued pursuant to Rule 510(C)(2), with a notice to the court of common pleas of the defendant's noncompliance.
(c) If the preliminary hearing is conducted and the case is dismissed, the issuing authority shall give the defendant notice by first class mail of the results of the preliminary hearing.
(d) If a continuance is granted, the issuing authority shall give the parties notice of the new date and time as provided in Rule 542 [(E] (G) (2), and may issue a bench warrant. If a bench warrant is issued and the warrant remains unserved for the continuation of the preliminary hearing, the issuing authority shall vacate the bench warrant. The case shall proceed as provided in paragraphs (D)(3)(b) or (c).
(E) If the Commonwealth does not establish a prima facie case of the defendant's guilt, and no application for a continuance is made and there is no reason for a continuance, the issuing authority shall dismiss the complaint.
(F) In any case in which a summary offense is joined with misdemeanor, felony, or murder charges:
(1) If the Commonwealth establishes a prima facie case pursuant to paragraph (B), the issuing authority shall not adjudicate or dispose of the summary offenses, but shall forward the summary offenses to the court of common pleas with the charges held for court.
(2) If the Commonwealth does not establish a prima facie case pursuant to paragraph (B), upon the request of the Commonwealth, the issuing authority shall dispose of the summary offense as provided in Rule 454 (Trial In Summary Cases).
(3) If the Commonwealth withdraws all the misdemeanor, felony, and murder charges, the issuing authority shall dispose of the summary offense as provided in Rule 454 (Trial In Summary Cases).
(G) Except as provided in Rule 541(D), once a case is bound over to the court of common pleas, the case shall not be remanded to the issuing authority.
COMMENT: Paragraph (B) was amended in 2011 to clarify what is the current law in Pennsylvania that, based on the evidence presented by the Commonwealth at the preliminary hearing, the issuing authority may find that the Commonwealth has not made out a prima facie case as to the offense charged in the complaint but has made out a prima facie case as to a lesser offense of the offense charged. In this case, the issuing
authority may hold the defendant for court on that lesser offense only. The issuing authority, however, may not sua sponte reduce the grading of any charge.
See Rule 1003 (Procedure In Non-Summary Municipal Court Cases) for the preliminary hearing procedures in Municipal Court, includin reducing felony charges at the preliminary hearing in Philadelphia.
Paragraph (C) reflects the fact that a bail determination will already have been made at the preliminary arraignment, except in those cases in which, pursuant to a summons, the defendant's first appearance is at the preliminary hearing. See Rules 509 and 510.
If the administrative processing and identification procedures as authorized by law, such as fingerprinting required by the Criminal History Record Information Act, 18 Pa.C.S. § 9112, that ordinarily occur following an arrest are not completed previously, when bail is set at the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, the issuing authority must order the defendant to submit to the administrative processing and identification procedures as a condition of bail. See Rule 527 for nonmonetary conditions of release on bail.
If a case initiated by summons is held for court after the preliminary hearing is conducted in the defendant's absence pursuant to paragraph (D)(2) and the defendant has not complied with the fingerprint order issued pursuant to Rule 510(C)(2), the issuing authority must include with the transmittal of the transcript a notice to the court of common pleas that the defendant has not complied with the fingerprint order. See Rule 547.
Nothing in this rule is intended to preclude judicial districts from providing written notice of the arraignment to the defendant at the conclusion of the preliminary hearing when a case is held for court. See Rule 571.
When a defendant fails to appear for the preliminary hearing, before proceeding with the case as provided in paragraph (D), the issuing authority must determine (1) whether the defendant received notice of the time, date, and place of the preliminary hearing either in person at a preliminary arraignment as provided in Rule 540(F)(2) or in a summons served as provided in Rule 511, and (2) whether the defendant had good cause explaining the absence.
If the issuing authority determines that the defendant did not receive notice, the issuing authority must issue an arrest warrant as provided in Rule 509, and the case will proceed pursuant to Rules 516 or 517. See paragraph (D)(1).
If the issuing authority determines that there is good cause explaining why the defendant failed to appear, the preliminary hearing must be continued and rescheduled for a date certain. See paragraph (D)(2). For the procedures when a preliminary hearing is continued, see Rule 542 [(E)] (G) .
If the issuing authority determines that the defendant received service of the summons as defined in Rule 511 and has not provided good cause explaining why he or she failed to appear, the defendant's absence constitutes a waiver of the defendant's right to be present for subsequent proceedings before the issuing authority. The duration of this waiver only extends through those proceedings that the defendant is absent.
When the defendant fails to appear after notice and without good cause, paragraph (D)(3)(a) provides that the case is to proceed in the same manner as if the defendant were present. The issuing authority either would proceed with the preliminary hearing as provided in Rule 542(A), (B), (C) and Rule 543(A), (B), (C), and (D)(3)(b) or (c); or, if the issuing authority determines it necessary, continue the case to a date certain as provided in Rule 542 [(E)] (G) ; or, in the appropriate case, convene the preliminary hearing for the taking of testimony of the witnesses who are present, and then continue the remainder of the hearing until a date certain. When the case is continued, the issuing authority may issue a bench warrant as provided in paragraph (D)(3)(d), and must send the required notice of the new date to the defendant, thus providing the defendant with another opportunity to appear.
Paragraph (D)(3)(b)(ii) requires the issuing authority to include with the Rule 547 transmittal a request that the court of common pleas issue a bench warrant if the case is held for court.
In addition to the paragraph (D)(3)(b) notice requirements, the notice may include the date of the arraignment in common pleas court.
For purposes of modifying bail once bail has been set by a common pleas judge, see Rules 529 and 536.
See Rule 571 (Arraignment) for notice of arraignment requirements.
Rule 542 [(D)] (F) specifically prohibits an issuing authority at a preliminary hearing from proceeding on any summary offenses that are joined with misdemeanor, felony, or murder charges, except as provided in paragraph (F) of this rule. Paragraph (F) sets forth the procedures for the issuing authority to handle these summary offenses at the preliminary hearing. These procedures include the issuing authority (1) forwarding the summary offenses together with the misdemeanor, felony, or murder charges held for court to the court of common pleas, or (2) disposing of the summary offenses as provided in Rule 454 by accepting a guilty plea or conducting a trial whenever (a) the misdemeanor, felony, and murder charges are withdrawn, or (b) a prima facie case is not established at the preliminary hearing and the Commonwealth requests that the issuing authority proceed on the summary offenses.
Under paragraph (F)(2), in those cases in which the Commonwealth does not intend to refile the misdemeanor, felony, or murder charges, the Commonwealth may request that the issuing authority dispose of the summary offenses. In these cases, if all the parties are ready to proceed, the issuing authority should conduct the summary trial at that time. If the parties are not prepared to proceed with the summary trial, the issuing authority should grant a continuance and set the summary trial for a date and time certain.
In those cases in which a prima facie case is not established at the preliminary hearing, and the Commonwealth does not request that the issuing authority proceed on the summary offenses, the issuing authority should dismiss the complaint, and discharge the defendant unless there are outstanding detainers against the defendant that would prevent the defendant's release.
Paragraph (G) emphasizes the general rule that once a case has been bound over to the court of common pleas, [it shall] the case is not permitted to be remanded to the issuing authority. There is a limited exception to the general rule in the situation in which the right to a previously waived preliminary hearing is reinstated and the parties agree, with the consent of the common pleas judge, that the preliminary hearing be held before the issuing authority. See Rule 541(D).
Nothing in this rule would preclude the refiling of one or more of the charges, as provided in these rules.
See Rule 313 for the disposition of any summary offenses joined with misdemeanor or felony charges when the defendant is accepted into an ARD program on the misdemeanor or felony charges.
[ See Rule 1003 (Procedure in Non-Summary Municipal Court Cases) for the preliminary hearing procedures in Municipal Court.]
NOTE: Original Rule 123, adopted June 30, 1964, effective January 1, 1965, suspended January 31, 1970, effective May 1, 1970. New Rule 123 adopted January 31, 1970, effective May 1, 1970; renumbered Rule 143 September 18, 1973, effective January 1, 1974; amended January 28, 1983, effective July 1, 1983; amended August 9, 1994, effective January 1, 1995; amended September 13, 1995, effective January 1, 1996. The January 1, 1996 effective date extended to April 1, 1996; the April 1, 1996 effective date extended to July 1, 1996; renumbered Rule 142 October 8, 1999, effective January 1, 2000; renumbered Rule 543 and amended March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001; amended August 24, 2004, effective August 1, 2005; amended December 30, 2005, effective August 1, 2006; amended March 9, 2006, effective September 1, 2006; amended May 1, 2007, effective September 4, 2007, and May 1, 2007 Order amended May 15, 2007; amended July 10, 2008, effective February 1, 2009; amended February 12, 2010, effective April 1, 2010 [.] ; amended January 27, 2011, effective in 30 days.
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COMMITTEE EXPLANATORY REPORTS :
Report explaining the August 9, 1994 amendments published at 22 Pa.B. 6 (January 4, 1992); Final Report published with the Court's Order at 24 Pa.B. 4342 (August 27, 1994).
Final Report explaining the September 13, 1995 amendments published with the Court's Order at 25 Pa.B. 4116 (September 30, 1995).
Final Report explaining the October 8, 1999 renumbering of Rule 143 published with the Court's Order at 29 Pa.B. 5509 (October 23, 1999).
Final Report explaining the March 1, 2000 reorganization and renumbering of the rules published with the Court's Order at 30 Pa.B. 1478 (March 18, 2000).
Final Report explaining the August 24, 2004 changes concerning the procedures when a defendant fails to appear published with the Court's Order at 34 Pa.B. 5025 (September 11, 2004).
Final Report explaining the December 30, 2005 changes adding references to bench warrants published with the Court's Order at 36 Pa.B. 184 (January 14, 2006).
Final Report explaining the March 9, 2006 amendments adding new paragraphs (E) and (F) published with the Court's Order at 36 Pa.B. 1392 (March 25, 2006).
Final Report explaining the May 19, 2006 amendments correcting cross-references to Rule 529 published with the Court's Order at 36 Pa.B. 2633 (June 3, 2006).
Final Report explaining the May 1, 2007 changes clarifying the procedures when a defendant fails to appear published with the Court's Order at 37 Pa.B. 2496 (June 2, 2007).
Final Report explaining the amendments to paragraphs (C) and (D)(2)(c) concerning administrative processing and identification procedures published with the Court's Order at 37 Pa.B . 3971 (July 26, 2008).
Final Report explaining the February 12, 2010 adding new paragraph (G) prohibiting remands to the issuing authority published with the Court's Order at 40 Pa.B. 1068 (February 27, 2010).
RULE 1001. DISPOSITION OF CRIMINAL CASES — PHILADELPHIA MUNICIPAL COURT.
(A) A Municipal Court case is any case in which the only offense or offenses charged are misdemeanors under the Crimes Code or other statutory criminal offenses for which no prison term may be imposed or which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than 5 years, including any offense under the Vehicle Code other than a summary offense.
(B) When one or more such offenses are charged in a single complaint or series of complaints against one defendant, all shall be joined in the same Municipal Court case, regardless of the length of the cumulative sentence which could be imposed on all charges.
(C) A Municipal Court case may be transferred from the Municipal Court to the Court of Common Pleas by order of the President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, or the President Judge's designee, upon the President Judge's approval of:
(1) a certification by defense counsel that trial in the Municipal Court will unduly delay defendant's access to a trial by jury; or
(2) a certification by both defense counsel and the attorney for the Commonwealth that the trial of the case will be so time consuming as to unduly disrupt the business of the Municipal Court.
(D) The attorney for the Commonwealth may file with the Municipal Court Clerk of [Quarter Sessions] Courts a written certification to exercise the Commonwealth's right to a jury trial in a Municipal Court case. The attorney for the Commonwealth shall serve a copy of the certification on counsel for the defendant, or the defendant if unrepresented, and on the President Judge of Municipal Court. Upon receipt of the certification, the President Judge [shall] promptly shall schedule a preliminary hearing, and the case shall be conducted as provided in Rules 541, 542, [and] 543 , and 1003(E) . When a case is held for court, the case shall remain in the Common Pleas Court through final disposition.
COMMENT: This rule, which defines "Municipal Court case," is intended to ensure that the Municipal Court will take dispositive action, including trial and verdict when appropriate, in any criminal case that does not involve a felony, excluding summary cases under the Vehicle Code. The latter are under the jurisdiction of the Philadelphia Traffic Court, see 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 1301- 1303, 1321. Paragraph (D) was added in 2007 in accord with the 1998 amendment to article I, § 6 of the Pennsylvania Constitution that provides that "the Commonwealth shall have the same right to trial by jury as does the accused." See Commonwealth v. Hargraves, 883 A.2d 616 (Pa. Super. 2005), allocatur denied, 587 Pa. 711, 898 A.2d 1069 ( [Pa.] 2006). The filing and service requirement in paragraph (D) must be accomplished as provided in Rule 576. Once a case is bound over to Common Pleas Court, the trial judge may not remand the case to the Municipal Court for any reason, even if the right to jury trial is waived.
NOTE: Present Rule 6001 adopted March 28, 1973, effective March 28, 1973, replacing prior Rule 6001; amended June 28, 1974, effective July 1, 1974; paragraph (C) added February 10, 1975, effective immediately; title amended July 1, 1980, effective August 1, 1980; Comment revised January 28, 1983, effective July 1, 1983; amended June 19, 1996, effective July 1, 1996; amended August 28, 1998, effective immediately; renumbered Rule 1001 and Comment revised March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001; amended August 24, 2004, effective August 1, 2005; amended January 5, 2007, effective March 6, 2007 [.] ; amended January 27, 2011, effective in 30 days.
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COMMITTEE EXPLANATORY REPORTS :
Final Report explaining the June 19, 1996 amendments published with the Court's Order at 26 Pa.B. 3128 (July 6, 1996).
Final Report explaining the August 28, 1998 amendments published with the Court's Order at 28 Pa.B. 4627 (September 12, 1998).
Final Report explaining the March 1, 2000 reorganization and renumbering of the rules published with the Court's Order at 30 Pa.B. 1478 (March 18, 2000) .
Final Report explaining the August 24, 2004 amendments clarifying the definition of "Municipal Court Case" published with the Court's Order at 34 Pa.B . 5016 (September 11, 2004).
Final Report explaining the January 5, 2007 amendments adding paragraph (D) concerning the Commonwealth's right to a jury trial in a Municipal Court case published with the Court's Order at 37 Pa.B. 313 (January 20, 2007).
RULE 1003. PROCEDURE IN NON-SUMMARY MUNICIPAL COURT CASES.
(A) INITIATION OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
(1) Criminal proceedings in court cases shall be instituted by filing a written complaint, except that proceedings may be also instituted by:
(a) an arrest without a warrant when a felony or misdemeanor is committed in the presence of the police officer making the arrest; or
(b) an arrest without a warrant upon probable cause when the offense is a misdemeanor not committed in the presence of the police officer making the arrest, when the arrest without a warrant is specifically authorized by law; or
(c) an arrest without a warrant upon probable cause when the offense is a felony.
(2) Private Complaints
(a) When the affiant is not a law enforcement officer, the complaint shall be submitted to an attorney for the Commonwealth, who shall approve or disapprove it without unreasonable delay.
(b) If the attorney for the Commonwealth:
(i) approves the complaint, the attorney shall indicate this decision on the complaint form and transmit it to the issuing authority;
(ii) disapproves the complaint, the attorney shall state the reasons on the complaint form and return it to the affiant. Thereafter, the affiant may petition the President Judge of Municipal Court, or the President Judge's designee, for review of the decision. Appeal of the decision of the Municipal Court shall be to the Court of Common Pleas.
(B) CERTIFICATION OF COMPLAINT
Before an issuing authority may issue process or order further proceedings in a Municipal Court case, the issuing authority shall ascertain and certify on the complaint that:
(1) the complaint has been properly completed and executed; and
(2) when prior submission to an attorney for the Commonwealth is required, an attorney has approved the complaint.
The issuing authority shall then accept the complaint for filing, and the case shall proceed as provided in these rules.
(C) SUMMONS AND ARREST WARRANT PROCEDURES
When an issuing authority finds grounds to issue process based on a complaint, the issuing authority shall:
(1) issue a summons and not a warrant of arrest when the offense charged is punishable by imprisonment for a term of not more than 1 year, except as set forth in paragraph (C)(2);
(2) issue a warrant of arrest when:
(a) the offense charged is punishable by imprisonment for a term of more than 5 years;
(b) the issuing authority has reasonable grounds for believing that the defendant will not obey a summons;
(c) the summons has been returned undelivered;
(d) a summons has been served and disobeyed by a defendant;
(e) the identity of the defendant is unknown;
(f) a defendant is charged with more than one offense, and one of the offenses is punishable by imprisonment for a term of more than 5 years; or
(3) when the offense charged does not fall within the categories specified in paragraph (C)(1) or (2), the issuing authority may, in his or her discretion, issue a summons or a warrant of arrest.
(D) PRELIMINARY ARRAIGNMENT
(1) When a defendant has been arrested within Philadelphia County in a Municipal Court case, with or without a warrant, the defendant shall be afforded a preliminary arraignment by an issuing authority without unnecessary delay. If the defendant was arrested without a warrant pursuant to paragraph (A)(1)(a) or (b), unless the issuing authority makes a determination of probable cause, the defendant shall not be detained.
(2) In the discretion of the issuing authority, the preliminary arraignment of the defendant may be conducted by using two-way simultaneous audiovisual communication. When counsel for the defendant is present, the defendant must be permitted to communicate fully and confidentially with defense counsel immediately prior to and during the preliminary arraignment.
(3) At the preliminary arraignment, the issuing authority:
(a) shall not question the defendant about the offense(s) charged;
(b) shall give the defendant's attorney, or if unrepresented the defendant, a copy of the certified complaint;
(c) if the defendant was arrested with a warrant, the issuing authority shall provide the defendant's attorney, or if unrepresented the defendant, with copies of the warrant and supporting affidavit(s) at the preliminary arraignment, unless the warrant and affidavit(s) are not available at that time, in which event the defendant's attorney, or if unrepresented the defendant, shall be given copies no later than the first business day after the preliminary arraignment; and
(d) shall also inform the defendant:
(i) of the right to secure counsel of choice and the right to assigned counsel in accordance with Rule 122;
(ii) of the day, date, hour, and place for the trial, which shall not be less than 20 days after the preliminary arraignment, unless the issuing authority fixes an earlier date for the trial or the preliminary hearing upon request of the defendant or defense counsel, with the consent of the attorney for the Commonwealth;
(iii) in a case charging a felony, of the date, time, and place of the preliminary hearing, which shall not be less than 14 nor more than 21 days after the preliminary arraignment unless extended for cause or the issuing authority fixes an earlier date upon the request of the defendant or defense counsel with the consent of the complainant and the attorney for the Commonwealth and that failure to appear without good cause for the preliminary hearing will be deemed a waiver by the defendant of the right to be present at any further proceedings before the issuing authority, and that the case shall proceed in the defendant's absence, and a warrant of arrest shall be issued; and
(iv) of the type of release on bail, as provided in Chapter 5 Part C of these rules, and the conditions of the bail bond.
(4) After the preliminary arraignment, if the defendant is detained, he or she shall be given an immediate and reasonable opportunity to post bail, secure counsel, and notify others of the arrest. Thereafter, if the defendant does not post bail, he or she shall be committed to jail, as provided by law.
(E) PRELIMINARY HEARING IN CASES CHARGING A FELONY
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (E)(2) and (E)(3) , [In] in cases charging a felony, the preliminary hearing in Municipal Court shall be conducted as provided in Rule 542 (Preliminary Hearing; Continuances) and Rule 543 (Disposition of Case at Preliminary Hearing).
(2) At the preliminary hearing, the issuing authority shall determine whether there is a prima facie case that an offense has been committed and that the defendant has committed it.
(a) Hearsay as provided by law shall be considered by the issuing authority in determining whether a prima facie case has been established.
(b) Hearsay evidence shall be sufficient to establish any element of an offense requiring proof of the ownership of, non-permitted use of, damage to, or value of property.
(3) If a prima facie case is not established on any felony charges, but is established on any misdemeanor or summary charges, the judge shall remand the case to Municipal Court for trial.
(F) ACCEPTANCE OF BAIL PRIOR TO TRIAL
The Clerk of [Quarter Sessions] Courts shall accept bail at any time prior to the Municipal Court trial.
COMMENT: The 2004 amendments make it clear that Rule 1003 covers the preliminary procedures for all non-summary Municipal Court cases, see Rule 1001(A), and cases charging felonies, including the institution of proceedings, the preliminary arraignment, and the preliminary hearing.
See Chapter 5 (Procedure in Court Cases), Parts I (Instituting Proceedings), II (Complaint Procedures), III(A) (Summons Procedures), III(B) (Arrest Procedures in Court Cases), and IV (Proceedings in Court Cases Before Issuing Authorities) for the statewide rules governing the preliminary procedures in court cases, including non-summary Municipal Court cases, not otherwise covered by this rule.
The 2004 amendments to paragraph (A)(1) align the procedures for instituting cases in Municipal Court with the statewide procedures in Rule 502 (Means of Instituting Proceedings in Court Cases).
The 1996 amendments to paragraph (A)(2) align the procedures for private complaints in non-summary cases in Municipal Court with the statewide procedures for private complaints in Rule 506 (Approval of Private Complaints). In all cases in which the affiant is not a law enforcement officer, the complaint must be submitted to the attorney for the Commonwealth for approval or disapproval.
As used in this rule, "Municipal Court judge" includes a bail commissioner acting within the scope of the bail commissioner's authority under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1123(A)(5).
The procedure set forth in paragraph (C)(3) allows the issuing authority to exercise discretion in whether to issue a summons or an arrest warrant depending on the circumstances of the particular case. Appropriate factors for issuing a summons rather than an arrest warrant will, of course, vary. Among the factors that may be taken into consideration are the severity of the offense, the continued danger to the victim, the relationship between the defendant and the victim, the known prior criminal history of the defendant, etc.
If the attorney for the Commonwealth exercises the options provided by Rule 202, Rule 507, or both, the attorney must file the certifications required by paragraphs (B) of Rules 202 and 507 with the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County and with the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
For the contents of the complaint, see Rule 504.
Under paragraphs (A) and (D), if a defendant has been arrested without a warrant, the issuing authority must make a prompt determination of probable cause before the defendant may be detained. See Riverside v. McLaughlin, 500 U.S. 44 [, 111 S.Ct. 1661, 114 L.Ed.2d 49] (1991). The determination may be based on written affidavits, an oral statement under oath, or both.
Within the meaning of paragraph (D)(2), counsel is present when physically with the defendant or with the issuing authority.
Under paragraph (D)(2), the issuing authority has discretion to order that a defendant appear in person for the preliminary arraignment.
Under paragraph (D)(2), two-way simultaneous audio-visual communication is a form of advanced communication technology.
See Rule 130 concerning venue when proceedings are conducted pursuant to this rule using advanced communication technology.
Paragraph (D)(3)(c) requires that the defendant's attorney, or if unrepresented the defendant, receive copies of the arrest warrant and the supporting affidavits at the preliminary arraignment. This amendment parallels Rule 540(B). See also Rules 208(A) and 513(A).
Paragraph (D)(3)(c) includes a narrow exception which permits the issuing authority to provide copies of the arrest warrant and supporting affidavit(s) on the first business day after the preliminary arraignment. This exception applies only when copies of the arrest warrant and affidavit(s) are not available at the time the issuing authority conducts the preliminary arraignment, and is intended to address purely practical situations such as the unavailability of a copier at the time of the preliminary arraignment.
Nothing in this rule is intended to address public access to arrest warrant affidavits. See Commonwealth v. Fenstermaker, 515 Pa. 501, 530 A.2d 414 (1987).
Under paragraph (D)(4), after the preliminary arraignment, if the defendant is detained, the defendant must be given an immediate and reasonable opportunity to post bail, secure counsel, and notify others of the arrest. Thereafter, if the defendant does not post bail, he or she must be committed to jail as provided by law.
Paragraphs (D)(3)(d)(iii) and (E) make it clear that, with some exceptions [except for the time for the preliminary hearing], the procedures in Municipal Court for both preliminary hearings and cases in which the defendant fails to appear for the preliminary hearing are the same as the procedures in the other judicial districts.
Paragraph (E)(2)(a) permits the use of hearsay at the preliminary hearing to establish certain elements of specific crimes. But compare Commonwealth ex rel. Buchanan v. Verbonitz , 525 Pa. 413, 581 A.2d 172 (1990) (plurality) (disapproving reliance on hearsay testimony as the sole basis for establishing a prima facie case). Nothing in this rule is intended to prohibit the use of hearsay at the preliminary hearing as otherwise permitted by case law or other authority. See, e.g. , the Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence generally, but in particular, Article VIII.
Paragraph (E)(2)(b) provides that hearsay, whether written or oral, may establish the elements enumerated in paragraph (E)(2). That enumeration is not comprehensive, and hearsay is admissible to establish other matters as well. The presence of witnesses to establish these elements is not required at the preliminary hearing.
For purposes of modifying bail once bail has been set by a common pleas judge, see Rules 529 and 536.
NOTE: Original Rule 6003 adopted June 28, 1974, effective July 1, 1974; amended January 26, 1977, effective April 1, 1977; amended December 14, 1979, effective April 1, 1980; amended July 1, 1980, effective August 1, 1980; amended October 22, 1981, effective January 1, 1982; Comment revised December 11, 1981, effective July 1, 1982; amended January 28, 1983, effective July 1, 1983; amended February 1, 1989, effective July 1, 1989; rescinded August 9, 1994, effective January 1, 1995. New Rule 6003 adopted August 9, 1994, effective January 1, 1995; amended September 13, 1995, effective January 1, 1996. The January 1, 1996 effective date extended to April 1, 1996; amended March 22, 1996, effective July 1, 1996; the April 1, 1996 effective date extended to July 1, 1996; amended August 28, 1998, effective immediately; renumbered Rule 1003 and amended March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001; amended May 10, 2002, effective September 1, 2002; amended August 24, 2004, effective August 1, 2005; amended August 15, 2005, effective February 1, 2006; amended April 5, 2010, effective April 7, 2010 [.] ; amended January 27, 2011, effective in 30 days.
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COMMITTEE EXPLANATORY REPORTS :
Report explaining the provisions of the new rule published at 22 Pa.B. 6 (January 4, 1992). Final Report published with the Court's Order at 24 Pa.B. 4342 (August 27, 1994).
Final Report explaining the September 13, 1995 amendments published with Court's Order at 25 Pa.B. 4116 (September 30, 1995).
Final Report explaining the March 22, 1996 amendments published with the Court's Order at 26 Pa.B. 1690 (April 13, 1996).
Final Report explaining the August 28, 1998 amendments published with the Court's Order at 28 Pa.B. 4627 (September 12, 1998).
Final Report explaining the March 1, 2000 reorganization and renumbering of the rules published with the Court's Order at 30 Pa.B. 1478 (March 18, 2000).
Final Report explaining the May 10, 2002 amendments concerning advanced communication technology published with the Court's Order at 32 Pa. B. 2591 (May 25, 2002).
Final Report explaining the August 24, 2004 changes clarifying preliminary arraignment and preliminary hearing procedures in Municipal Court cases published with the Court's Order at 34 Pa.B. 5025 (September 11, 2004).
Final Report explaining the August 15, 2005 amendments to paragraphs (A)(2)(b)(ii) and (D)(3)(d)(ii) published with the Court's Order at 35 Pa. B. 4918 (September 3, 2005).
Court's Order adopting the April 5, 2010 amendments to paragraph (D)(3)(d) published at 40 Pa.B. 2012 (April 17, 2010).