Rule 400 – Means of Instituting Proceedings in Summary Cases

May 14, 2021 | Criminal Procedure, Pennsylvania

Criminal proceedings in summary cases shall be instituted either by:

(1) issuing a citation to the defendant; or
(2) filing a citation; or
(3) filing a complaint; or
(4) arresting without a warrant when arrest is specifically authorized by law.

234 Pa. Code ยง 400

Committee Explantory Reports:

Report explaining the January 31, 1991 amendments published at 20 Pa.B. 4788 (September 15, 1990) ; Supplemental Report published at 21 Pa.B. 621 (February 16, 1991) .

Report explaining the January 16, 1996 Comment revisions published with the Court’s Order at 26 Pa.B. 437 (February 3, 1996) .

Report explaining the June 6, 1997 Comment revision published with the Court’s Order at 25 Pa.B. 2923 (June 21, 1997) .

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 February 6, 2003 Comment revision concerning electronic transmission of citations published with the Court’s Order at 33 Pa.B. 973 (February 22, 2003) .

Final Report explaining the August 7, 2003 changes to the last two paragraphs of the Comment concerning the Juvenile Act and the rules published with the Court’s Order at 33 Pa.B. 4293 (August 30, 2003) .

Final Report explaining the April 1, 2005 Comment revision concerning Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure published with the Court’s Order at 35 Pa.B. 2213 (April 16, 2005) .

Final Report explaining the March 3, 2006 Comment revision concerning summary motor vehicle offenses published with the Court’s Order at 36 Pa.B. 1392 (March 25, 2006) .