Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Rule 704 - Procedure at Time of Sentencing(A) TIME FOR SENTENCING.(1) Except as provided by Rule 702(B), sentence in a court case shall ordinarily be imposed within 90 days of conviction or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.(2) When the date for sentencing in a court case must be delayed, for good cause shown, beyond the time limits set forth in this rule, the judge shall include in the record the specific time period for the extension.(3) In a summary case appeal, sentence shall be imposed immediately following a determination of guilt at a trial de novo in the court of common pleas.(B) ORAL MOTION FOR EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF. (1) Under extraordinary circumstances, when the interests of justice require, the trial judge may, before sentencing, hear an oral motion in arrest of judgment, for a judgment of acquittal, or for a new trial.(2) The judge shall decide a motion for extraordinary relief before imposing sentence, and shall not delay the sentencing proceeding in order to decide it.(3) A motion for extraordinary relief shall have no effect on the preservation or waiver of issues for post-sentence consideration or appeal.(C) SENTENCING PROCEEDING. (1) At the time of sentencing, the judge shall afford the defendant the opportunity to make a statement in his or her behalf and shall afford counsel for both parties the opportunity to present information and argument relative to sentencing.(2) The judge shall state on the record the reasons for the sentence imposed.(3) The judge shall determine on the record that the defendant has been advised of the following: (a) of the right to file a post-sentence motion and to appeal, of the time within which the defendant must exercise those rights, and of the right to assistance of counsel in the preparation of the motion and appeal;(b) of the rights,(i) if the defendant is indigent, to proceed in forma pauperis and to proceed with appointed counsel as provided in Rule 122, or,(ii) if represented by retained counsel, to proceed with retained counsel unless the court has granted leave for counsel to withdraw pursuant to Rule 120(B);(c) of the time limits within which post-sentence motions must be decided;(d) that issues raised before or during trial shall be deemed preserved for appeal whether or not the defendant elects to file a post-sentence motion; and(e) of the defendant's qualified right to bail under Rule 521(B).(4) The judge shall require that a record of the sentencing proceedings be made and preserved so that it can be transcribed as needed. The record shall include:(a) The record of any stipulation made at a pre-sentence conference; and(b) a verbatim account of the entire sentencing proceeding.The provisions of this Rule 704 amended March 27, 2003, effective 7/1/2003, 33 Pa.B. 1927; amended April 28, 2005, effective 8/1/2005, 35 Pa.B. 2855; amended March 15, 2013, effective 5/1/2013, 43 Pa.B. 1702; amended March 9, 2016, effective 7/1/2016, 46 Pa.B. 1532.