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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 10-1318

THE COURTS

Title 234—RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

[ 234 PA. CODE CHS. 1 AND 11 ]

Proposed Amendments to Pa.Rs.Crim.P. 140, 141, 142 and 1101

[40 Pa.B. 4143]
[Saturday, July 24, 2010]

 The Criminal Procedural Rules Committee is planning to recommend that the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania amend Rules 140, 141, 142 and 1101 to provide for limitations on punishment for contempt before the minor judiciary and to suspend 42 Pa.C.S. § 4137(c) as unconstitutional pursuant to Commonwealth vs. McMullen, 599 Pa. 435, 961 A.2d 842 (2008). This proposal has not been submitted for review by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

 The following explanatory Report highlights the Committee's considerations in formulating this proposal. Note that the Committee's Reports should not be confused with the official Committee Comments to the rules. Also note that the Supreme Court does not adopt the Committee's Comments or the contents of the explanatory Reports.

 The text of the proposed amendments to the rule precedes the Report. Additions are shown in bold; deletions are in bold and brackets.

 We request that interested persons submit suggestions, comments or objections concerning this proposal in writing to the Committee through counsel:

Anne T. Panfil, Chief Staff Counsel
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Criminal Procedural Rules Committee
601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 6200
P. O. Box 62635
Harrisburg, PA 17106-2635

fax: (717) 231-9520
e-mail: criminalrules@pacourts.us

no later than Friday, September 17, 2010.

By the Criminal Procedural Rules Committee

RISA VETRI FERMAN, 
Chair

Annex A

TITLE 234. RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 1. SCOPE OF RULES, CONSTRUCTION AND DEFINITIONS, LOCAL RULES

PART D. Procedures Implementing 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137, 4138, 4139: Criminal Contempt Powers of District Justices, Judges of the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court, and Judges of the Traffic Court of Philadelphia

Rule 140. Contempt Proceedings Before [District Justices] Magisterial District Judges, Pittsburgh Magistrates Court Judges, and Philadelphia Traffic Court Judges.

 (A) CONTEMPT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE COURT

 1. An issuing authority may summarily hold an individual in contempt for misbehavior in the presence of the court [which] that obstructs the administration of justice, and, after affording the individual an opportunity to be heard, may impose a punishment of a fine of not more than $100 or imprisonment [as provided by law] for not more than 30 days or both.

*  *  *  *  *

 3. The issuing authority shall issue a written order of contempt, in which the issuing authority shall:

 a. set forth the facts of the case [which] that constitute the contempt;

*  *  *  *  *

 (B) CONTEMPT NOT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE COURT

 1. INSTITUTION OF PROCEEDINGS

 a. An issuing authority may institute contempt proceedings by either

 (1) giving written notice to the alleged contemnor of the time, date, and place of the contempt hearing, or

 (2) when deemed appropriate by the issuing authority, issuing an attachment by means of a warrant,

 whenever a person is alleged to have (i) failed to obey a subpoena issued by the issuing authority; (ii) failed to comply with an order of the issuing authority directing a defendant to pay fines and costs in accordance with an installment payment order; (iii) failed to comply with an order of a [district justice] magisterial district judge directing a defendant to compensate a victim; or (iv) [violated an order issued pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6110; or (v)] failed to comply with an order of an issuing authority in any case in which the issuing authority is by statute given the power to find the person in contempt.

 b. If the proceedings are instituted by notice, the notice shall:

*  *  *  *  *

 (4) advise the alleged contemnor that failure to appear at the hearing may result in the issuance of a bench warrant [of arrest].

 c. The notice shall be served in person or by both first class and certified mail, return receipt requested.

 2. HEARING

*  *  *  *  *

 c. The issuing authority shall not hold a contempt hearing in the absence of the alleged contemnor. If the alleged contemnor fails to appear for the contempt hearing, the issuing authority may continue the hearing and issue a bench warrant [of arrest].

3. PUNISHMENT

Punishment for contempt may not exceed the limits set forth as follows:

a. Whenever a person is found to have failed to obey a subpoena issued by the issuing authority, punishment may be a fine of not more than $100. Failure to pay within a reasonable time could result in imprisonment for not more than 10 days.

b. Whenever a person is found to have failed to comply with an order of the issuing authority directing a defendant to pay fines and costs in accordance with an installment payment order, punishment may be imprisonment for not more than 90 days.

c. Whenever a person is found to have failed to comply with an order of an issuing authority directing a defendant to compensate a victim, punishment may be a fine of not more than $100 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both.

Comment

 This rule sets forth the procedures to implement 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137, 4138, and 4139 concerning contempt powers of the minor judiciary, as well as any other statutes subsequently enacted [which] that would provide for findings of contempt by the minor judiciary. It is not intended to supplant the procedures set forth in 23 Pa.C.S. § [6113] 6110 et seq. concerning violations of protection from abuse orders.

 The scope of the contempt powers of [district justices] magisterial district judges, Pittsburgh Magistrates Court judges, and Philadelphia Traffic Court judges is governed by 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137, 4138, and 4139 respectively. Therefore, as used in this rule, ''issuing authority'' refers only to [district justices] magisterial district judges, Pittsburgh Magistrates Court judges, and Philadelphia Traffic Court judges when acting within the scope of their contempt powers. However, 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137(c), 4138(c), and 4139(c) contain limitations upon the punishment that a minor court may impose for contempt. Such statutory limitations were held to be unconstitutional in Commonwealth v. McMullen, 599 Pa. 435, 961 A.2d 842 (2008) and, to the extent that 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137(c), 4138(c), and 4139(c) are inconsistent with this rule, they are suspended by Rule 1101 (Suspension of Acts of Assembly).

By Orders dated November 29, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 6507 (December 11, 2004) and February 25, 2005, 35 Pa.B. 1662 (March 12, 2005), the Pennsylvania Supreme Court created an administrative judicial unit referred to as the Pittsburgh Municipal Court and assigned all matters within the jurisdiction of the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court to the Pittsburgh Municipal Court. As a result of these orders, the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court is no longer staffed while the Pittsburgh Municipal Court is staffed by Allegheny County magisterial district judges assigned on a rotating basis. The terminology is retained in these rules because the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court, which is created by statute, has not been disestablished by the statute.

*  *  *  *  *

 Paragraph (A) sets forth the procedures for handling contempt proceedings when the misbehavior is committed in the presence of the court and is obstructing the administration of justice. See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137(a)(1), 4138(a)(1), and 4139(a)(1). This type of contempt is commonly referred to as ''direct'' or ''summary'' contempt. The issuing authority may immediately impose punishment without a formal hearing because prompt action is necessary to maintain or restore order in the courtroom and to protect the authority and dignity of the court. Although immediate action is permitted in these cases, the alleged contemnor is ordinarily given an opportunity to be heard before the imposition of punishment. See Commonwealth v. Stevenson, 482 Pa. 76, 393 A.2d 386 ([Pa.] 1978).

*  *  *  *  *

For purposes of this rule, the phrase ''failed to obey a subpoena issued by the issuing authority'' in paragraph (B)(1)(a) is intended to include the failure to obey any other lawful process ordering the person to appear before an issuing authority.

 Pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137(a)(2), (3), (4), and (5), 4138(a)(2) and (3), and 4139(a)(2) and (3), only [district justices] magisterial district judges have the power to impose punishment for contempt of court for failure to comply with an order directing a defendant to compensate a victim or an order issued pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6110. See paragraph (B)1.a.

*  *  *  *  *

 No defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment if the right to counsel was not afforded at the contempt hearing. See Alabama v. Shelton, 535 U.S. 654 (2002), Scott v. Illinois, 440 U.S. 367 (1979), and Argersinger v. Hamlin, 407 U.S. 25 (1972). Also see Rule 454 concerning counsel in summary cases. The Supreme Court in Commonwealth v. Abrams, 461 Pa. 327, 336 A.2d 308 ([Pa.] 1975) held that the right to counsel applies in cases of criminal contempt. See also Commonwealth v. Crawford, 466 Pa. 269, 352 A.2d 52 ([Pa.] 1976).

*  *  *  *  *

 If a contemnor defaults in the payment of a fine imposed as punishment for contempt pursuant to [42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137(c), 4138(c), or 4139(c)] this rule, the matter is to proceed as provided in Rule 142.

See Chapter 5 Part C concerning bail before a contempt hearing. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 4137(e) concerning a [district justice's] magisterial district judge's authority to set bail after an adjudication of contempt.

*  *  *  *  *

 Paragraph (B)2.b(5) requires that the case be reviewed at the conclusion of a contempt hearing to determine whether the restitution order or the fines and costs installment order should be altered or amended, rather than scheduling another hearing. This review should be conducted whether or not the [district justice] magisterial district judge finds an individual in contempt for failure to comply with an order to pay restitution, or whether or not the issuing authority finds an individual in contempt for failure to comply with an installment order to pay fines and costs. For the authority to alter or amend a restitution order, see 18 Pa.C.S. § [106] 1106(c)(2)(iii).

Official Note: Rule 30 adopted October 1, 1997, effective October 1, 1998; renumbered Rule 140 and amended March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001; Comment revised March 26, 2004, effective July 1, 2004; amended  2010, effective   , 2010.

Committee Explanatory Reports:

*  *  *  *  *

 Final Report explaining the March 1, 2000 reorganization and renumbering of the rules published with the Court's Order at 30 Pa.B. [1477] 1478 (March 18, 2000).

*  *  *  *  *

Report explaining the proposed amendments concerning limitations on punishment for contempt published at 40 Pa.B. 4146 (July 24, 2010).

Rule 141. Appeals from Contempt Adjudications by [District Justices] Magisterial District Judges, Pittsburgh Magistrates Court Judges, or Philadelphia Traffic Court Judges.

*  *  *  *  *

 (E) The issuing authority shall, within 20 days after receipt of the notice of appeal, file with the clerk of courts:

*  *  *  *  *

 (4) any bench warrant [of arrest].

*  *  *  *  *

Comment

 This rule provides the procedures for taking an appeal from a finding of contempt by a [district justice] magisterial district judge, a Pittsburgh Magistrates Court judge, or a Philadelphia Traffic Court judge.

 As used in this rule, ''issuing authority'' refers only to [district justices] magisterial district judges, Pittsburgh Magistrates Court judges, and Philadelphia Traffic Court judges when acting within the scope of their contempt powers. See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137, 4138, and 4139.

By Orders dated November 29, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 6507 (December 11, 2004) and February 25, 2005, 35 Pa.B. 1662 (March 12, 2005), the Pennsylvania Supreme Court created an administrative judicial unit referred to as the Pittsburgh Municipal Court and assigned all matters within the jurisdiction of the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court to the Pittsburgh Municipal Court. As a result of these orders, the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court is no longer staffed while the Pittsburgh Municipal Court is staffed by Allegheny County magisterial district judges assigned on a rotating basis. The terminology is retained in these rules because the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court, which is created by statute, has not been disestablished by the statute.

As the Pennsylvania Supreme Court stated in Commonwealth v. McMullen, 599 Pa. 435, 961 A.2d 842 (2008), legislative limitations on a court's power to sentence for contempt are unconstitutional. To the extent that 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137(c), 4138(c), and 4139(c) provide such limitations, they are suspended by Rule 1101 (Suspension of Acts of Assembly).

*  *  *  *  *

See 42 Pa.C.S. § 4137(e) concerning the imposition of bail as a condition of release by a [district justice] magisterial district judge.

*  *  *  *  *

Official Note: Rule 31 adopted October 1, 1997, effective October 1, 1998; renumbered Rule 141 and Comment revised March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001; amended February 28, 2003, effective July 1, 2003; Comment revised March 26, 2004, effective July 1, 2004; amended     , 2010 effective     , 2010.

Committee Explanatory Reports:

*  *  *  *  *

 Final Report explaining the March 1, 2000 reorganization and renumbering of the rules published with the Court's Order at 30 Pa.B. [1477] 1478 (March 18, 2000).

*  *  *  *  *

Report explaining the proposed amendments regarding limitations on punishment for contempt published at 40 Pa.B. 4146 (July 24, 2010).

Rule 142. Procedures Governing Defaults in Payment of Fine Imposed as Punishment for Contempt.

 (A) If a contemnor defaults on the payment of a fine imposed as punishment for contempt pursuant to [42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137(c), 4138(c), or 4139(c)] Rule 140(A)(1) and (B)(3), the issuing authority shall notify the contemnor in person or by first class mail that within 10 days of the date on the default notice the contemnor must either:

 (1) pay the amount due as ordered, or

 (2) appear before the issuing authority to explain why the contemnor should not be imprisoned for nonpayment as provided by law,

 or a bench warrant for the contemnor's arrest shall be issued.

*  *  *  *  *

Comment

 This rule provides the procedures governing defaults in the payment of fines imposed as punishment for contempt in proceedings before [district justices] magisterial district judges, Pittsburgh Magistrates Court judges, and Philadelphia Traffic Court judges. See [42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137(c), 4138(c), or 4139(c)] Rule 140(A)(1) and (B)(3).

 As used in this rule, ''issuing authority'' refers only to [district justices] magisterial district judges, Pittsburgh Magistrates Court judges, and Philadelphia Traffic Court judges when acting within the scope of their contempt powers. See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137, 4138, and 4139.

By Orders dated November 29, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 6507 (December 11, 2004) and February 25, 2005, 35 Pa.B. 1662 (March 12, 2005), the Pennsylvania Supreme Court created an administrative judicial unit referred to as the Pittsburgh Municipal Court and assigned all matters within the jurisdiction of the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court to the Pittsburgh Municipal Court. As a result of these orders, the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court is no longer staffed while the Pittsburgh Municipal Court is staffed by Allegheny County magisterial district judges assigned on a rotating basis. The terminology is retained in these rules because the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court, which is created by statute, has not been disestablished by the statute.

 For contempt procedures generally, see Rule 140.

As the Pennsylvania Supreme Court stated in Commonwealth v. McMullen, 599 Pa. 435, 961 A.2d 842 (2008), legislative limitations on a court's power to sentence for contempt are unconstitutional. To the extent that 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137(c), 4138(c), and 4139(c) provide such limitations, they are suspended by Rule 1101 (Suspension of Acts of Assembly).

 When a contemnor defaults on a payment of a fine, paragraph (A) requires the issuing authority to notify the contemnor of the default, and to provide the contemnor with an opportunity to either pay the amount due or appear within a 10-day period to explain why the contemnor should not be imprisoned for nonpayment. If the contemnor fails to pay or appear, the issuing authority must issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the contemnor.

*  *  *  *  *

Official Note: Rule 32 adopted October 1, 1997, effective October 1, 1998; renumbered Rule 142 and amended March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001; amended March 3, 2004, effective July 1, 2004; amended     , 2010 effective     , 2010.

Committee Explanatory Reports:

*  *  *  *  *

Report explaining the proposed rule changes regarding limitations on punishment for contempt published at 40 Pa.B. 4146 (July 24, 2010).

CHAPTER 11. ABOLITIONS AND SUSPENSIONS

Rule 1101. Suspension of Acts of Assembly.

 This rule provides for the suspension of the following Acts of Assembly:

*  *  *  *  *

(8) The Act of June 15, 1994, P. L. 273, No. 45, § 1, 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137, 4138, and 4139, that provides, inter alia, limitations on the punishment that may be imposed for contempt is suspended only insofar as the Act is inconsistent with the punishment limitations set forth in Rule 140. See Commonwealth v. McMullen, 599 Pa. 435, 961 A.2d 842 (2008) (legislative limitations on a court's power to sentence for contempt is unconstitutional).

Comment

 This rule is derived from former Rules 39, 159, 340, 1415, and 2020, the rules previously providing for the suspension of legislation.

Official Note: Former Rule 39 adopted October 1, 1997, effective October 1, 1998; rescinded March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001, and replaced by Rule 1101. Former Rule 159 adopted September 18, 1973, effective January 1, 1974; amended January 28, 1983, effective July 1, 1983; amended February 1, 1989, effective July 1, 1989; amended April 10, 1989, effective July 1, 1989; amended January 31, 1991, effective July 1, 1991; rescinded March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001, and replaced by Rule 1101. Former Rule 340 combined previous Rules 321 and 322, which were the prior suspension rules, and was adopted June 29, 1977, effective September 1, 1977; amended April 24, 1981, effective June 1, 1981; amended January 28, 1983, effective July 1, 1983; rescinded March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001, and replaced by Rule 1101. Former Rule 1415 adopted July 23, 1973, effective 90 days hence; paragraph (g) added March 21, 1975, effective March 31, 1975; amended August 14, 1995, effective January 1, 1996; rescinded March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001, and replaced by Rule 1101. Former Rule 2020 adopted September 3, 1993, effective January 1, 1994; rescinded March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001, and replaced by Rule 1101. New Rule 1101 adopted March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001; amended     , 2010 effective     , 2010.

Committee Explanatory Reports:

FORMER RULE 39:

 Final Report explaining the provisions of new Rule 39 published with the Court's Order at 27 Pa.B. [5401] 5405 (October 18, 1997).

FORMER RULE 159:

 Report explaining the January 31, 1991 amendments to former Rule 159 published at 20 Pa.B. [4788] 4793 (September 15, 1990); Supplemental Report published at 21 Pa.B. 621 (February 16, 1991).

*  *  *  *  *

FORMER RULE 2020:

 Report explaining the provisions of former Rule 2020 published at 21 Pa.B. [3681] 3684 (August 17, 1991).

NEW RULE 1101:

 Final Report explaining the reorganization and renumbering of the rules and the provisions of Rule 1101 published at 30 Pa.B. [1477] 1478 (March 18, 2000).

Report explaining the proposed rule changes regarding the suspension of portions of 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4137, 4138, and 4139, published at 40 Pa.B. 4146 (July 24, 2010).

REPORT

Proposed Amendments to Pa.Rs.Crim.P.
140, 141, 142, and 1101

Punishment for Contempt

 On December 18, 2008, the Court issued the opinion in Commonwealth v. McMullen, 961 A.2d 842 (Pa. 2008), which held, inter alia, that the Legislature may not ''create a form of indirect criminal contempt and restrict the court's ability to punish individuals who commit contempt of court,'' and therefore 42 Pa.C.S. § 4136(b), which provides that the punishment for the indirect criminal contempt addressed in the statute is limited to a fine not exceeding $100 or imprisonment not exceeding 15 days and that the defendant is entitled to a jury trial, ''unconstitutionally restricts the court's ability to punish for contempt.'' This case was brought to the Committee's attention because, although it addresses only the provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 4136(b) (indirect criminal contempt), 42 Pa.C.S. § 4137(c) also mandates the sentence that may be imposed for contempt before magisterial district judges.

 Rules of Criminal Procedure 140 (Contempt Proceedings Before District Justices, Pittsburgh Magistrate Court Judges, and Philadelphia Traffic Court Judges.), 141 (Appeals from Contempt Adjudications by District Justices, Pittsburgh Magistrate Court Judges, and Philadelphia Traffic Court Judges.), 142 (Procedures Governing Defaults in Payment of Fine Imposed as Punishment for Contempt), that were adopted in 1997, implement 42 Pa.C.S. § 4137 providing the procedures for instituting the contempt proceedings, etc., but do not address the punishment provisions in 42 Pa.C.S. § 4137(c).1 The rules also reference 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 4138 and 4139, defining similar contempt powers for the Pittsburgh Magistrate's Court and Philadelphia Traffic Court, respectively.

 The Committee studied the McMullen opinion and the statutes, as well as the history of Rules 140-142, and concluded that the holding in McMullen also applied to the statutory limitations imposed on the minor judiciary and therefore, the statutory limitations were unconstitutional. Although concluding the statutes are unconstitutional in so far as they set limitations on punishment, from the Committee's review of the statutory provisions, [also believed] the members concluded the statutory punishments are reasonable. The members also concluded that there should be some reasonable parameters for the exercise of the contempt power by the minor courts spelled out in the Criminal Rules, and agreed to incorporate the statutory punishments.

 Rule 140 is the general rule for contempt procedures in the magisterial district courts, the Pittsburgh Magistrate's Court, and the Philadelphia Traffic Court. Rule 140 breaks the procedures down into two contempt categories, contempt committed in the presence of the court and contempt occurring outside of the presence of the court. Each contempt category and associated procedures are described separately. The Committee agreed the statutory punishment limitations would go in Rule 140. Thus, the statutory punishment limitations for contempt before the court would be enumerated in current paragraph (A)(1). The statutory punishment limitations for contempt occurring outside of the presence of the court would be enumerated in a new paragraph (B)(3).

 One of the punishment limitations in 42 Pa.C.S. § 4137 applies to a violation of an order issued pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6110, the portion of the Protection from Abuse Act authorizing emergency protection from abuse orders to be issued by the minor judiciary. The Committee concluded that protection from abuse proceedings are unique and that any limitations on the rare circumstance under which the minor judiciary would adjudicate contempt under this statute are not appropriately addressed in a general Rule of Criminal Procedure. Therefore, the proposed amendments to Rule 140 would delete from paragraph (B)(2) the reference to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6110 and expand the existing Comment language that states ''It is not intended to supplant the procedures set forth in 23 Pa.C.S. § 6113 concerning violations of protection from abuse orders'' to include the entire Protection from Abuse Act, 23 Pa.C.S. § 6110 et seq.

 Rule 140 presently contains one category of contempt for which the statutes do not provide any limitation on punishment. That category is described as a failure to ''comply with an order of an issuing authority in any case in which the issuing authority is by statute given the power to find the person in contempt.'' The Committee noted that the only example of such a statute not covered by the existing punishment provisions was found in 42 Pa.C.S. § 1523 which, in summary cases before a magisterial district judge in which the defendant is a juvenile, permits the magisterial district judge to issue an order directing the parent or guardian of the juvenile to appear at the summary hearing. Observing that a failure to obey the order to appear is the same as failing to obey a subpoena, the Committee agreed that this specific instance would be addressed by adding to the Rule 140 Comment that the rule's use of the phrase ''failed to obey a subpoena issued by the issuing authority'' included any other lawful process ordering the person to appear before an issuing authority.

 Another revision to the Rule 140 Comment would be an explanation regarding the status of the Pittsburgh Magistrate's Court. Currently, the Pittsburgh Magistrate's Court is no longer staffed and its function has been taken over by the Pittsburgh Municipal Court that is staffed by magisterial district judges. However, since the Magistrate's Court has never been disestablished and theoretically could be re-staffed, the terminology is retained in the rules with an explanation in the Comments to Rules 140, 141, and 142.

 Rule 141 provides procedures for appeal from contempt findings in the minor courts, and does not address any matters related to punishment limitations. There is a cross-reference to the statutes contained in the Rule 141 Comment but that refers primarily to stay provisions that already have been suspended. Therefore, only a general cross-reference to the suspension of the punishment limitations in Rule 1101 would be added to the Comment.

 Rule 142 provides procedures for the handling of defaults in payment of fines imposed for contempt. The Rule 142 Comment currently cross-references the punishment provisions of the statutes. Conforming to the other changes, that cross-reference would be changed to refer to punishment provisions that would be added to Rule 140.

 Finally, an amendment describing the suspensions of the statutory provisions, which would be limited solely to the punishment provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 4137(c), would be added to Rule 1101.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 10-1318. Filed for public inspection July 23, 2010, 9:00 a.m.]

_______

1  At the time, the Committee believed that the scope of the punishment was substantive and therefore not subject for the Court's rule-making authority, and did not question the constitutionality of the punishment provisions of the statutes.



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