THE COURTS
Title 237--JUVENILE RULES
PART I. RULES
[237 PA. CODE CHS. 1--6 AND 8]
Delinquency Matters
[33 Pa.B. 1581] The Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee is planning to recommend to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania that the Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure be adopted and prescribed to govern juvenile court procedure and practice in this Commonwealth. The proposed rules will secure uniformity and simplicity in procedure throughout juvenile courts in this Commonwealth. This proposal has not been submitted for review by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
The following explanatory Report highlights the history of the Committee, the process of rule-drafting, and the Committee's considerations in formulating this proposal. Please 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.
We request that interested persons submit suggestions, comments, or objections concerning this proposal to the Committee through counsel,
A. Christine Riscili, Esq.
Staff Counsel
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee
5035 Ritter Road, Suite 700
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055no later than Wednesday, May 14, 2003.
By the Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee
FRANCIS BARRY MCCARTHY,
Chair
Annex A
TITLE 237. JUVENILE RULES
PART I. RULES
Subpart A. DELINQUENCY MATTERS
Chap. 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS 2. COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS, ARREST PROCEDURES, AND PRE-ADJUDICATORY DETENTION 3. PRE-ADJUDICATORY PROCEDURES 4. ADJUDICATORY HEARING 5. DISPOSITIONAL HEARING 6. POST-DISPOSITIONAL PROCEDURES 8. SUSPENSIONS
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Rule 100. Scope of Rules.
101. Purpose and Construction. 102. Citing the Juvenile Court Procedural Rules.
105. Search Warrants.
PART A. BUSINESS OF COURTS
110. Definitions.
111. Local Rules.
112. Continuances. 113. Contents of Subpoena. 114. Summons and Notices.
115. Habeas Corpus. 116. Defects in Form, Content, or Procedure.
117. Recording and Transcribing Juvenile Court Hearings.
118. Proceedings in Absentia.
119. (Reserved). 120. Public Discussion by Courtroom Personnel of Pending Matters. 121. Guardian's Presence.
122. Victim's Presence.
125. Captions.
PART B. COUNSEL
130. Attorney--Appearances and Withdrawals.
131. Assignment of Counsel.
132. Waiver of Counsel.
PART C. RECORDS
PART C(1). ACCESS TO JUVENILE RECORDS
140. Inspection of Juvenile Files/Records.
143. Release of Information to School.
PART C(2). MAINTAINING RECORDS
152. Design of Forms.
155. Maintaining Records in the Clerk of Courts' Office.
156. Filings, Docket Entries, and Service of Court Orders and Notices.
PART C(3). EXPUNGING OR DESTROYING RECORDS
160. Contents of Order to Expunge or Destroy.
162. Expunging or Destroying Juvenile Court Records.
PART D. PROCEEDINGS IN CASES BEFORE MASTER
171. Appointment to Cases.
172. Authority of Master.
PART D(1). FORMS AND RECORDS
175. Acknowledgments Before Master.
176. Master's Findings and Recommendation to the Judge. 177. Appealing Decision of Master to Judge. Rule 100. Scope of Rules.
A. These rules shall govern delinquency proceedings in all courts. Unless otherwise specifically provided, these rules shall not apply to domestic relations proceedings and dependency proceedings.
B. Each of the courts exercising juvenile jurisdiction, as provided in the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 6301 et seq., may adopt local rules of procedure in accordance with Rule 111.
Comment These rules govern proceedings when the Juvenile Act vests jurisdiction in the Juvenile Court. See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 6321 and 6302. These rules do not govern summary offense proceedings unless: 1) the summary offense(s) was committed with a delinquent act, as defined by 42 Pa.C.S. § 6302, during the same episode or transaction, as provided in 42 Pa.C.S. § 6303(a)(5), and has been properly charged in a delinquency petition; or 2) a juvenile has failed to comply with a lawful sentence imposed for the summary offense(s), as provided in 42 Pa.C.S. § 6302.
The Rules of Criminal Procedure apply in cases involving juveniles in summary and court cases, as defined by Pa.R.Crim.P. 103, to the extent that the Juvenile Act does not apply to these proceedings. See, e.g., Pa.Rs.Crim.P. 100 and 400. See also 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 6302 and 6303.
Each judicial district may promulgate local rules that follow the requirements of Rule 111 and Pa.R.J.A. 103.
Rule 101. Purpose and Construction.
A. These rules are intended to provide for the just determination of every delinquency proceeding.
B. These rules shall be construed to secure uniformity and simplicity in procedure, fairness in administration, and the elimination of unjustifiable expense and delay.
C. These rules shall be interpreted and construed to effectuate the purposes stated in the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 6301(b).
D. To the extent practicable, these rules shall be construed in consonance with the rules of statutory construction.
Rule 102. Citing the Juvenile Court Procedural Rules.
All juvenile court procedural rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania under the authority of Article V § 10(c) of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, adopted April 23, 1968, shall be known as the Pennsylvania Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure and shall be cited as ''Pa.R.J.C.P.''
Comment The authority for rule-making is granted to the Supreme Court by Article V § 10(c) of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which states in part, ''[t]he Supreme Court shall have the power to prescribe general rules governing practice, procedure and the conduct of all courts . . . if such rules are consistent with this Constitution and neither abridge, enlarge nor modify the substantive rights of any litigant, nor affect the right of the General Assembly to determine the jurisdiction of any court or justice of the peace, nor suspend nor alter any statute of limitation or repose. All laws shall be suspended to the extent that they are inconsistent with rules prescribed under these provisions.''
Rule 105. Search Warrants.
The Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rules 200 through 211, shall apply to search warrants for juveniles.
PART A. BUSINESS OF COURTS Rule 110. Definitions.
AFFIANT is any responsible person capable of taking an oath who signs, swears to, affirms, or when permitted by these rules, verifies a written allegation and appreciates the nature and quality of that person's act.
CLERK OF COURTS is that official in each judicial district who has the responsibility and function under state and local law to maintain the official juvenile court file and docket, without regard to that person's official title.
COURT is the Court of Common Pleas, a court of record, which is assigned to hear juvenile delinquency matters. Court shall include masters when they are permitted to hear cases under these rules. Juvenile Court shall have the same meaning as Court.
DETENTION FACILITY is any facility, privately or publicly owned and operated, designated by the court and approved by the Department of Public Welfare to detain a juvenile temporarily. The term detention facility, when used in these rules, shall include shelter-care.
GUARDIAN is any parent, custodian or other person who has legal custody of a juvenile, or person designated by the court to be a temporary guardian for purposes of a proceeding.
INTAKE STAFF is any responsible person taking custody of the juvenile on behalf of the court, detention facility, or medical facility.
ISSUING AUTHORITY is any public official having the power and authority of a magistrate, a Philadelphia bail commissioner, or a district justice.
JUVENILE is a person who has attained ten years of age and is not yet twenty-one years of age who is alleged to have committed a delinquent act before reaching eighteen years of age.
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER is any person who is by law given the power to enforce the law when acting within the scope of that person's employment.
MASTER is an attorney with delegated authority to hear and decide juvenile delinquency matters. Master has the same meaning as hearing officer.
MEDICAL FACILITY is any hospital, urgent care facility, psychiatric or psychological ward, drug and alcohol detoxification or rehabilitation program, or any other similar facility designed to treat a juvenile medically or psychologically.
ORDINANCE is a legislative enactment of a political subdivision.
PENAL LAWS include all statutes and embodiments of the common law, which establish, create, or define crimes or offenses, including any ordinances that may provide for placement in a juvenile facility upon finding of delinquency or upon failure to pay a fine or penalty.
PETITION is a formal written document by which an attorney for the Commonwealth or the juvenile probation officer alleges a juvenile is delinquent.
PETITIONER is an attorney for the Commonwealth or, when permitted by these rules, a probation officer, who signs, swears to, affirms, or verifies and files a petition.
PLACEMENT FACILITY is any facility, privately or publicly owned and operated, that identifies itself either by charter, articles of incorporation or program description, to receive delinquent juveniles as a case disposition. Placement facilities include, but are not limited to, residential facilities, group homes, after-school programs, and day programs, whether secure or non-secure.
POLICE OFFICER is any person, who is by law given the power to arrest when acting within the scope of the person's employment.
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION shall mean county, city, township, borough, or incorporated town or village having legislative authority.
PROCEEDING is any stage in the juvenile delinquency process once a written allegation has been submitted.
WRITTEN ALLEGATION is the document that is completed by a law enforcement officer or other person that is necessary to allege a juvenile has committed an act of delinquency.
Comment Under the term ''court,'' to determine if masters are permitted to hear cases, see Rule 172.
Neither the definition of ''law enforcement officer'' nor the definition of ''police officer'' gives the power of arrest to any person who is not otherwise given that power by law.
A ''petition'' and a ''written allegation'' are two separate documents and serve two distinct functions. A ''written allegation'' is the document that initiates juvenile delinquency proceedings. Usually, the ''written allegation'' will be filed by a law enforcement officer and will allege that the juvenile has committed a delinquent act that comes within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. This document may have been formally known as a ''probable cause affidavit,'' ''complaint,'' ''police paper,'' ''charge form,'' ''allegation of delinquency,'' or the like. Once this document is submitted, a preliminary determination of the juvenile court's jurisdiction must be made. Informal adjustment and other diversionary programs may be pursued. If the attorney for the Commonwealth or the juvenile probation officer determines that formal juvenile court action is necessary, a petition is then filed.
For definition of ''delinquent act,'' see 42 Pa.C.S. § 6302.
Rule 111. Local Rules.
A. For the purpose of this rule, the term, ''local rule'' shall include every rule, regulation, directive, policy, custom, usage, form, or order of general application, however labeled or promulgated, adopted or enforced by a court of common pleas to govern juvenile delinquency practice and procedure, which requires a party or party's attorney to do or refrain from doing something.
B. Local rules shall not be inconsistent with any rule of the Supreme Court or any Act of Assembly.
1) Each judicial district may promulgate new local rules that do not conflict with the Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure.
2) Local rules shall be given numbers that are keyed to the number of the Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure to which the local rules correspond.
C. A local rule shall not become effective and enforceable until the adopting court has fully complied with all the following requirements:
1) A local rule shall be in writing.
2) Seven certified copies of the local rule shall be filed by the court promulgating the rule with the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
3) Two certified copies of the local rule shall be distributed by the court promulgating the rule to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
4) One certified copy of the local rule shall be filed by the court promulgating the rule with the Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee.
5) The local rules shall be kept continuously available for public inspection and copying in the office of the clerk of courts. Upon request and payment of reasonable costs of reproduction and mailing, the clerk shall furnish to any person a copy of any local rule.
D. All local rules promulgated before the effective date of this rule are hereby vacated on the date this rule becomes effective.
E. A local rule shall become effective not less than thirty days after the date of publication of the rule in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
F. No case shall be dismissed nor request for relief granted or denied because of the failure to comply with a local rule. In any case of noncompliance with a local rule, the court shall alert the party to the specific provision at issue and provide a reasonable time for the attorney to comply with the local rule.
G. The Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee may at any time recommend that the Supreme Court suspend, vacate, or require amendment of a local rule and may suspend that local rule pending action by the Court on that recommendation.
Comment The purpose of this rule is to further the policy of the Supreme Court to implement the unified judicial system under the Constitution of 1968, to facilitate the statewide practice of law under this Court's general rules, and to promote the further policy that a general rule of juvenile court procedure normally preempts the subject covered. It is intended that local rules should not repeat general rules or statutory provisions verbatim or substantially verbatim nor should local rules make it difficult for attorneys to practice law in several counties.
The caption or other words used as a label or designation shall not determine whether something is or establishes a local rule; if the definition in paragraph (A) of this rule is satisfied, the matter is a local rule regardless of what it may be called. The provisions of this rule also are intended to apply to any amendments to a ''local rule.'' Nothing in this rule is intended to apply to case-specific orders.
To simplify the use of local rules, local juvenile delinquency procedural rules are required to be given numbers that are keyed to the number of the general juvenile delinquency procedural rules to which the local rules correspond. This requirement is not intended to apply to local rules that govern the general business of the court and which do not correspond to a general juvenile delinquency procedural rule.
The purpose of paragraph (C) is to emphasize that the adopting authority shall comply with all the provisions of paragraph (C) before any local rule, or any amendment to local rules, will be effective and enforceable.
Paragraph (C)(5) requires that a separate consolidated set of local rules be maintained in the clerk's office.
Paragraph (D) vacates all current local rules on the effective date of this rule. The local rules must be repromulgated to comply with this rule. This includes rekeying pursuant to paragraph (B)(2) and meeting the appropriate filing requirements under paragraph (C).
The Administrative Offices of Pennsylvania Courts maintains a web-page containing the texts of local rules. That web-page is located at: http://www.courts.state.pa.us/judicial-council/local-rules/index.htm.
Although under paragraph (E) a local rule shall not be effective until at least thirty days after the date of publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, when a situation arises that requires immediate action, the local court may act by specific orders governing particular cases in the interim before an applicable local rule becomes effective.
The purpose of paragraph (F) is to prevent the dismissal of cases, or the granting or denial of requested relief, because a party has failed to comply with a local rule. In addition, paragraph (F) requires that the party be alerted to the local rule, and be given a reasonable amount of time to comply with the local rule.
After the court has alerted the party to the local rule pursuant to paragraph (F), the court may impose a sanction for subsequent noncompliance either on the attorney or the juvenile if proceeding pro se, but may not dismiss the case, or grant or deny relief because of non-compliance.
Rule 112. Continuances.
A. Generally. In the interests of justice, the court may grant a continuance on its own motion or the motion of either party. On the record, the court shall identify the moving party and state its reasons for granting or denying the continuance.
B. Notice and rescheduling. If a continuance is granted, each party shall be notified of the date, place, and time of the rescheduled hearing.
Comment Under paragraph (B), if a party is summoned to appear and the case is continued, the party is presumed to be under the scope of the original summons and a new summons is not necessary.
See Rule 344 for motion procedures.
Rule 113. Contents of Subpoena.
A subpoena in a delinquency case shall:
1) order the witness named to appear before the court at the date, time, and place specified;
2) order the witness to bring any items identified or described;
3) state on whose behalf the witness is being ordered to testify; and
4) state the identity, address, and phone number of the person who applied for the subpoena.
Comment For power to compel attendance, see 42 Pa.C.S. § 6333.
Rule 114. Summons and Notices.
A) Requirements of the summons. The summons shall:
1) be in writing;
2) set forth the date, time, and place of the hearing;
3) instruct the juvenile about the juvenile's right to counsel, and if the juvenile cannot afford counsel, the right to assigned counsel; and
4) give a warning stating that the failure to appear for the hearing may result in arrest.
B) Method of Service. Summons or notices shall be served:
1) in-person; or
2) by first-class mail.
C) Warrant of arrest. If any summoned person fails to appear for the hearing and the court is assured that sufficient notice was given, the court may issue a warrant of arrest.
Rule 115. Habeas Corpus.
A. The petition for writ of habeas corpus challenging the legality of the juvenile's detention or placement shall be filed with the clerk of courts of the judicial district in which the order directing the juvenile's detention or placement was entered.
B. The clerk of courts shall forward the petition immediately to the presiding juvenile court judge for review and shall identify the petition as time sensitive.
Comment See Rule 344 for motion procedures.
See In re Crouse, 4 Whart. 9 (Pa. 1839).
Rule 116. Defects in Form, Content, or Procedure.
A juvenile shall not be discharged, nor shall a case be dismissed, because of a defect in the form or content of the petition, written allegation, or warrant, or a defect in the procedures of these rules, unless the juvenile raises the defect prior to the commencement of the adjudicatory hearing, and the defect is prejudicial to the rights of the juvenile.
Comment As a condition of relief regardless of whether the defect is in form, content, or procedure, the court must determine that there is an actual prejudice to the rights of the juvenile.
A petition, written allegation, or warrant may be amended at any time so as to remedy any defect in form or content that is not prejudicial to the rights of the juvenile. Nothing in this rule is to prevent the filing of a new written allegation, a new petition, or the reissuance of process. Any new written allegation or petition is to be filed within the time permitted by the applicable statute of limitations.
If a juvenile does not raise a defect before the adjudicatory hearing, the juvenile cannot thereafter raise the defect as grounds for dismissal or discharge at a later stage.
Rule 117. Recording and Transcribing Juvenile Court Hearings.
A. Recording. There shall be a recording of all juvenile delinquency hearings, including hearings conducted by masters.
B. Transcribing. Upon the motion of any party, upon its own motion, or as required by law, the court shall determine and designate those portions of the record, if any, that are to be transcribed.
C. Modifying. At any time before an appeal is taken, the court may correct or modify the record in the same manner as is provided by Rule 1926 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Comment Some form of record or transcript is necessary to permit meaningful consideration of claims of error and an adequate effective appellate review. See, e.g., Pa.Rs.A.P. 1922, 1923, 1924; Commonwealth v. Fields, 387 A.2d 83 (Pa. 1978); Commonwealth v. Shields, 383 A.2d 844 (Pa. 1978). No substantive change in law is intended by this rule; rather it is intended to provide a mechanism to ensure appropriate recording and transcribing of court hearings.
The rule is intended to apply to all juvenile delinquency hearings and to ensure all hearings are recorded, including hearings before masters.
Paragraph (B) of the rule is intended to authorize courts to require transcription of only such portions of the record, if any, as are needed to review claims of error.
Paragraph (C) provides a method for correcting and modifying transcripts before an appeal is taken by incorporating Pa.R.A.P. 1926, which otherwise applies only after an appeal has been taken. It is intended that the same standards and procedures apply both before and after appeal.
Rule 118. Proceedings in Absentia.
If the juvenile fails to appear, the court may proceed with a hearing in the absence of the juvenile if the court finds that the juvenile was properly subpoenaed or summoned to appear and has willfully failed to attend, and the juvenile's attorney is present.
Comment The court has discretion whether to proceed if the court finds that the juvenile received proper notice of the hearing and has willfully failed to appear. Requiring the juvenile's attorney to be present protects the juvenile's interest if the proceeding is conducted in the juvenile's absence.
Cf. Commonwealth v. Ford, 650 A.2d 433 (Pa. 1994); Commonwealth v. Sullens, 619 A.2d 1349 (Pa. 1992).
Rule 119. (Reserved).
Rule 120. Public Discussion by Courtroom Personnel of Pending Matters.
All court personnel including, among others, court clerks, bailiffs, tip-staffs, sheriffs, and court stenographers, are prohibited from disclosing to any person, without authorization from the court, information relating to a pending juvenile case that is not part of the court record otherwise available to the public. This rule specifically prohibits the divulgence of information concerning arguments and hearings that are closed proceedings, held in chambers, or otherwise outside of the presence of the public.
Rule 121. Guardian's Presence.
The court may, when the court determines that it is in the best interests of the juvenile, order a guardian of a juvenile to be present at and to bring the juvenile to any proceeding. The court shall direct the juvenile probation officer to provide the guardian with timely notice of any hearing.
Comment Nothing in these rules gives the guardian legal standing in the matter being heard by the court or creates a right of a juvenile to have his or her guardian present. See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 6310, 6335(b), 6336.1.
Rule 122. Victim's Presence.
The victim, counsel for the victim, and other persons accompanying a victim for his or her assistance shall be permitted to attend the proceedings.
Comment The court has discretion to maintain confidentiality of mental health, medical, or juvenile institutional documents or juvenile probation reports. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 6336(f).
See Victim's Bill of Rights, 18 P. S. § 11.201 et seq.
Rule 125. Captions.
All court documents and orders shall contain a caption that includes the following:
1) ''In the interest of (the juvenile's name);''
2) the juvenile's case docket number; and
3) the name of the court.
PART B. COUNSEL Rule 130. Attorneys--Appearances and Withdrawals.
A. Appearances.
1) Counsel for the juvenile shall file an entry of appearance with the clerk of courts promptly after being retained or assigned, and serve a copy on the attorney for the Commonwealth and the juvenile probation office.
2) If a firm name is entered, the name of the individual lawyer who is designated as being responsible for the conduct of the case shall be entered.
B. Duration. Once an appearance is entered or the court assigns counsel, counsel shall represent the juvenile until final judgment, including any proceeding upon direct appeal and dispositional review, unless permitted to withdraw pursuant to paragraph (C).
C. Withdrawals. Upon motion, counsel shall be permitted to withdraw only:
1) by order of the court for good cause shown; or
2) if new counsel has entered an appearance with the court.
Comment Paragraph (A)(1) is intended to alleviate any problems when the court or a party(s) is unaware of who is representing the juvenile.
Paragraph (B) follows the same requirements as the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, except that dispositional review was added to this rule. Paragraph (B) implements the decisions of Douglas v. California, 372 U.S. 353 (1963), and Commonwealth v. Hickox, 249 A.2d 777 (Pa. 1969), by providing that counsel assigned originally shall retain his or her assignment until final judgment, which includes appellate procedure.
Under paragraph (C)(1), a court can terminate an attorney's appearance if there is good cause shown. The court should allow an attorney to withdraw from a case for good cause if the standards for termination of representation, as provided for in the Rules of Professional Conduct 1.16 are met.
If the court allows counsel to withdraw under paragraph (C)(1), the court may need to assign new counsel.
Under paragraph (C), withdrawal is presumed when a court's jurisdiction is terminated because the juvenile reaches the age of twenty-one. See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 6302, 6303.
Under paragraph (C), because the juvenile probation office and attorney for the Commonwealth's office will be on notice of the identity of the new attorney, they should comply with the discovery requirements of Rule 340.
See also Rule 613 for termination of court supervision.
Rule 131. Assignment of Counsel.
A. General. If counsel does not enter an appearance for the juvenile, the court shall inform the juvenile of the right to counsel prior to any proceeding. In any case, the court shall assign counsel for the juvenile if the juvenile is without financial resources or otherwise unable to employ counsel.
B. Time.
1) If the juvenile is detained, the court shall assign counsel prior to the detention hearing.
2) If the juvenile is not detained, the court shall assign counsel prior to the adjudicatory hearing.
Comment Counsel may be present at an intake hearing or participate in the decision to place the juvenile on informal adjustment with the probation office.
See also 42 Pa.C.S. § 6337.
Rule 132. Waiver of Counsel.
A. Waiver requirements. A juvenile may not waive the right to counsel unless:
1) the waiver is knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made; and
2) the court conducts a colloquy on the record.
B. Stand-by counsel. The court may assign stand-by counsel if the juvenile waives counsel at any stage.
C. Notice and revocation of waiver. If a juvenile waives counsel for any proceeding, the waiver only applies to that proceeding, and the juvenile may revoke the waiver of counsel at any time. At any subsequent proceeding, the juvenile must be informed of the right to counsel.
Comment It is recommended that, at a minimum, the court ask questions to elicit the following information in determining a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of counsel:
1) Whether the juvenile understands the right to be represented by counsel;
2) Whether the juvenile understands the nature of the charges and the elements of each of those charges;
3) Whether the juvenile is aware of the permissible range of dispositions, community service, or fines that may be imposed by the court;
4) Whether the juvenile understands that if he or she waives the right to counsel he or she will still be bound by all the normal rules of procedure and that counsel would be familiar with these rules;
5) Whether the juvenile understands that there are possible defenses to these charges that counsel might be aware of, and if these defenses are not raised at the adjudicatory hearing, they may be lost permanently;
6) Whether the juvenile understands that, in addition to defenses, the juvenile has many rights that, if not timely asserted, may be lost permanently; and if errors occur and are not timely objected to, or otherwise timely raised by the juvenile, these errors may be lost permanently;
7) Whether the juvenile knows the whereabouts of absent guardians and if they understand they should be present; and
8) Whether the juvenile has had the opportunity to consult with his or her guardian about this decision.
This rule is not meant to preclude the guardian's presence in any hearing. As provided in Rule 121 and the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 6310, 6335(b), and 6336.1, the court can order the guardian's presence if the court determines that it is in the best interests of the juvenile. When conducting the colloquy, the court should also keep in mind the age, maturity, intelligence, and mental condition of the juvenile, as well as, the experience of the juvenile, the juvenile's ability to comprehend, the guardian's presence and consent, and the juvenile's prior record.
PART C. RECORDS
PART C(1). ACCESS TO JUVENILE RECORDS Rule 140. Inspection of Juvenile File/Records.
All files and records of the court in a proceeding are open to inspection only by:
1) the judges, masters, juvenile probation officers, and staff of the court;
2) the attorney for the Commonwealth, the juvenile's attorney, and the juvenile, but the persons in this category shall not be permitted to see reports revealing the names of confidential sources of information, except in the discretion of the court;
3) a public or private agency or institution providing supervision or having custody of the juvenile under order of the court;
4) a court and its probation officers and other officials or staff and the attorney for the defendant for use in preparing a pre-sentence report in a criminal case in which the defendant is convicted and the defendant previously was adjudicated delinquent;
5) a judge or issuing authority for use in determining bail, provided that such inspection is limited to orders of delinquency adjudications and dispositions, orders resulting from dispositional review hearings, and histories of bench warrants and escapes;
6) the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts;
7) officials of the Department of Corrections or a state correctional institution or other penal institution to which an individual who was previously adjudicated delinquent in a proceeding under the Juvenile Act has been committed, but the persons in this category shall not be permitted to see reports revealing the names of confidential sources of information contained in social reports, except in the discretion of the court;
8) a parole board, court or county probation official in considering an individual who was previously adjudicated delinquent in a proceeding under the Juvenile Act, but the persons in this category shall not be permitted to see reports revealing the names of confidential sources of information contained in social reports, except in the discretion of the court;
9) the judges, juvenile probation officers, and staff of courts of other jurisdictions when necessary for the discharge of their official duties; and
10) with leave of court, any other person, agency or institution having a legitimate interest in the proceedings or in the work of the unified judicial system.
Comment See the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 6307, for the statutory provisions on inspection of the juvenile's file.
Rule 143. Release of Information to School.
A. Generally. Upon finding a juvenile to be a delinquent, the court shall, through the juvenile probation office, provide the following information to the building principal or his or her designee of any public, private, or parochial school in which the juvenile is enrolled:
1) name and address of the juvenile;
2) the delinquent act or acts that the juvenile was found to have committed;
3) a brief description of the delinquent act or acts; and
4) the disposition of the case.
B. Additional information.
1) If the juvenile is adjudicated delinquent of a felony offense, the court, through the juvenile probation office, shall provide to the building principal or his or her designee relevant information regarding the juvenile contained in the juvenile probation or treatment reports pertaining to the adjudication, prior delinquent history, and the supervision plan of the juvenile.
2) The court or the juvenile probation office shall have the authority to share any additional information regarding the juvenile under its jurisdiction with the building principal or his or her designee as deemed necessary to protect public safety or to enable appropriate treatment, supervision, or rehabilitation of the juvenile.
C. Transfers to other schools. Any information provided to and maintained by the building principal or his or her designee under this rule shall be transferred to the building principal or his or her designee of any public, private, or parochial school to which the juvenile transfers enrollment.
D. Maintained separately. Any information provided to the building principal or his or her designee under this rule shall be maintained separately from the juvenile's official school record.
Comment The delinquency information in the school record may be used only by school officials and may not be released to the general public or third parties unless ordered by the court.
For further dissemination and usage in school, see 42 Pa.C.S. § 6341(b.1).
PART C(2). MAINTAINING RECORDS Rule 152. Design of Forms.
The Court Administrator of Pennsylvania, in consultation with the Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee, shall design and publish forms necessary to implement these rules.
Comment The purpose of the unified judicial system can be further achieved by creating uniform forms to accompany a particular rule.
Rule 155. Maintaining Records in the Clerk of Courts' Office.
A. Generally. The juvenile case file shall contain all original records, papers, and orders filed in the case, and copies of all court notices. These records shall be maintained by the clerk of courts' office and shall not be taken from the custody of the clerk of courts without order of the court. Juvenile records are confidential. Only the persons enumerated in Rule 140 may inspect or copy the juvenile's record or file.
B. Docket entries. The clerk of courts shall maintain a list of docket entries: a chronological list, in electronic or written form, of documents and entries in the juvenile case file and of all proceedings in the case. The clerk of courts shall make docket entries at the time the information is made known to the clerk.
C. Contents of docket entries. The docket entries shall include at a minimum the following information:
1) the juvenile's name, last known address, date of birth, if known;
2) the names and addresses of all attorneys who have appeared or entered an appearance, the date of the entry of appearance, and the date of any withdrawal of appearance;
3) notations concerning all papers filed with the clerk, including all court notices, appearances, acknowledgments, motions, orders, findings and adjudications, and dispositions, briefly showing the nature and title, if any, of each paper filed, writ issued, and motion made, and the substance of each order or disposition of the court and of the returns showing execution of process;
4) notations concerning motions made orally or orders issued orally in the courtroom when directed by the court;
5) a notation of every judicial proceeding, continuance, and disposition;
6) the location of exhibits made part of the record during the proceedings; and
7) all other information required by Rules 156 and 345.
Comment This rule sets forth the mandatory contents of the list of docket entries and the juvenile case file. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of what is required to be recorded in the docket entries. The judicial districts may require additional information to be recorded in a case or in all cases.
The list of docket entries is a running record of all information related to any action in a juvenile case in the court of common pleas of the clerk's county, such as dates of filings, of orders, and of court proceedings, including hearings conducted by masters. Nothing in this rule is intended to preclude the use of automated or other electronic means for time stamping or making docket entries.
This rule applies to all proceedings in the court of common pleas, including hearings conducted by masters, at any stage of the delinquency case.
This rule is not intended to include items contained in the juvenile probation records or reports. Juvenile probation records or reports, include, but are not limited to, social summaries, psychological and psychiatric evaluations, personal histories, school reports and records, mental health histories and reports, drug and alcohol evaluations, treatment facility records and reports. These items are not to be copied or reviewed or open to any person except the court and its staff, the attorney for the Commonwealth, the juvenile, and the juvenile's attorney.
The practice in some counties of creating the list of docket entries only if an appeal is taken is inconsistent with this rule.
The requirement of paragraph (C)(2) that all attorneys and their addresses be recorded makes certain there is a record of all attorneys who have appeared for any juvenile in the case. The requirement also ensures that attorneys are served as required by Rules 156 and 345. See also Rule 345(C) concerning certificates of service.
In those cases in which the attorney has authorized receiving service by facsimile transmission or electronic means, the docket entry required by paragraph (C)(2) must include the facsimile number or electronic address.
Paragraph (C)(4) recognizes that occasionally disposition of oral motions presented in open court should be reflected in the docket, such as motions and orders related to omnibus motions as provided in Rule 346.
Rule 156. Filings, Docket Entries, and Service of Court Orders and Notices.
A. Filings.
1) All orders and court notices shall be transmitted promptly to the clerk of courts' office for filing. Upon receipt in the clerk of courts' office, the order or court notice shall be time stamped promptly with the date of receipt.
2) All orders and court notices shall be filed in the juvenile case file.
B. Service.
1) A copy of any order or court notice shall be served promptly on each party's attorney, and the juvenile, if unrepresented.
2) The clerk of courts shall serve the order or court notice, unless the president judge has promulgated a local rule designating service to be by the court or court administrator.
3) Methods of service. Service shall be:
a) in writing by:
i) personal delivery to the party's attorney, and if unrepresented, the juvenile;
ii) mailing a copy to the party's attorney or leaving a copy for the attorney at the attorney's office;
iii) in those judicial districts that maintain in the courthouse assigned boxes for counsel to receive service, leaving a copy for the attorney in the attorney's box;
iv) sending a copy to an unrepresented juvenile by first class mail addressed to the juvenile's place of residence, detention, or placement; or
v) sending a copy by facsimile transmission or other electronic means if the party's attorney, and if unrepresented, the juvenile has filed written request for this method of service or has included a facsimile number or an electronic address on a prior legal paper filed in the case; or
vi) delivery to the party's attorney, and if unrepresented, the juvenile by carrier service; or
b) orally in open court on the record.
C. Docket entries.
1) Docket entries promptly shall be made.
2) The docket entries shall contain:
a) the date of receipt in the clerk's office of the order or court notice;
b) the date appearing on the order or court notice; and
c) the date and manner of service of the order or court notice.
D. Unified Practice. Any local rule that is inconsistent with the provisions of this rule is prohibited, including any local rule requiring a party to file or serve orders or court notices.
Comment Court notices, as used in this rule, are communications that ordinarily are issued by a judge or the court administrator concerning, for example, calendaring or scheduling, including proceedings requiring the juvenile's presence.
A facsimile number or electronic address set forth on the letterhead is not sufficient to authorize service by facsimile transmission or other electronic means under paragraph (B)(3)(a)(v). The authorization for service by facsimile transmission or other electronic means under this rule is valid only for the duration of the case. A separate authorization must be filed in each case the juvenile, if unrepresented, or the attorney wants to receive documents by this method of service.
Nothing in this rule is intended to preclude the use of automated or other electronic means for the transmission of the orders or court notices between the judge, court administrator, and clerk of courts, or for time stamping or making docket entries.
PART C(3). EXPUNGING OR DESTROYING RECORDS Rule 160. Contents of Order to Expunge or Destroy.
Any order to expunge or destroy the juvenile court file, docket entries, law enforcement records, or fingerprints and photographs shall include the following information:
1) the name of the juvenile;
2) the date of birth of the juvenile, if known;
3) the juvenile's case docket number, if any;
4) the charges to which the order pertains;
5) the law enforcement agency that initiated the charges;
6) the reference number of the police report or written allegation to be expunged or destroyed;
7) the date of arrest;
8) the disposition of the written allegation or petition;
9) the reasons for expunging or destroying the document;
10) the agencies upon which certified copies of the court order shall be served;
11) the printed name and signature of the judge issuing the order; and
12) the date of the court order.
Comment Under paragraph (6), any number assigned to police papers helpful in tracking the police report or written allegation would assist the law enforcement agency in expunging or destroying the document. A reference number could be an offense tracking number, district control number, crime control number, incident number, Philadelphia identification number, or another number assigned by the law enforcement agency to track the document.
Rule 162. Expunging or Destroying Juvenile Court Records.
A. Expunging records. Juvenile records may be expunged upon motion.
B. Notice and answer.
1) Notice. The movant shall serve the motion to expunge juvenile court records upon all parties.
2) Answer. The respondent, the attorney for the Commonwealth, the juvenile's attorney, or the juvenile, if unrepresented, shall respond within thirty days of the service of the motion to expunge the juvenile's record. If the respondent fails to respond, the failure to respond shall constitute a waiver of any objections to expunge the juvenile's record.
C. Hearing. If the attorney for the Commonwealth objects to expunging the juvenile's record, the court shall hold a hearing prior to deciding the motion.
Comment Juveniles who have been adjudicated delinquent are not entitled to have their records expunged. In re Lowe, 448 A.2d 632 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1982).
See 18 Pa.C.S. § 9123 for records that may be expunged.
PART D. PROCEEDINGS IN CASES BEFORE MASTER Rule 171. Appointment to Cases.
A. Appointment. If necessary to assist the juvenile court judge, the president judge or his or her designee may appoint masters to hear juvenile delinquency matters.
B. Prohibited practice. Masters shall not engage in practice before the juvenile court in the same judicial district where they preside over juvenile matters.
Comment Each judicial district should create and maintain a contract with the master establishing the salary and the terms of employment.
Rule 172. Authority of Master.
A. Cases to be heard by Master. A master shall have the authority to preside over only the following:
1) detention hearings, detention review hearings, or shelter care hearings;
2) discovery, pre-adjudicatory or preliminary proceedings for misdemeanors;
3) any hearing in which the petition charges only misdemeanors; and
4) uncontested dispositional review hearings and uncontested probation revocation hearings.
B. No authority. A master shall not have the authority to:
1) conduct or hear transfer hearings;
2) issue warrants; and
3) hear requests for writs of habeas corpus.
C. Right to hearing before judge. Prior to the commencement of any proceeding, the master shall inform the juvenile, the juvenile's guardian(s), the juvenile's attorney, and the attorney for the Commonwealth that they have a right to have the matter heard by a judge. If any person objects to having the matter heard by the master, the case shall proceed before the judge.
Comment Under paragraph (B)(2), nothing is intended to limit the master's ability, in a proper case before the master, to recommend to the court that a warrant be issued. This includes arrest, bench, and search warrants.
Concerning the provisions of paragraph (C), see 42 Pa.C.S. § 6305(b).
See Rule 117 for recording of hearings before a master.
PART D(1). FORMS AND RECORDS Rule 175. Acknowledgments Before Master.
A. Types of cases. A master may accept an acknowledgment to any misdemeanor.
B. Requirements. The acknowledgment requirements of Rule 407 shall be followed.
Rule 176. Master's Findings and Recommendation to the Judge.
A. Announcement of Findings and Recommendation. At the conclusion of the hearing, the master shall announce in open court on the record, the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and the recommendation to the judge.
B. Submission of Papers and Contents of Recommendation. Within one business day, the master shall submit a summary of the recommendation to the juvenile court judge. If requested, a copy of the summary shall be given to the juvenile's attorney, the juvenile, if unrepresented, the attorney for the Commonwealth, and the juvenile probation officer. The summary shall specifically state a recommendation to the judge based on the outcome of the hearing and shall include the following information:
1) a caption pursuant to Rule 125;
2) the charges that the juvenile is acknowledging or found delinquent of; and
3) the final recommendation of the master.
C. Judicial Action. The judge shall:
1) accept the recommendation;
2) reject the recommendation and issue an order with new findings or disposition;
3) send the recommendation back to the master for more specific findings; or
4) order a rehearing under Rule 177 within seven days.
Comment The juvenile court may promulgate a form for masters to use. The summary of the recommendation may take the form of a court order to be adopted by the court.
If a party contests the master's decision, the copy of the summary may be used as an attachment in a motion for a rehearing in front of the judge.
The master's decision is subject to approval of the judge. The judge may reject the master's findings and enter a new finding or disposition without a rehearing. See In re Perry, 459 A.2d 789 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1983). Jeopardy does not attach at a master's hearing. See In re Stephens, 419 A.2d 1244 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1980).
Rule 177. Appealing Decision of Master to Judge.
A. Time limitation. A party may appeal the recommendation made by the master within three days. The party shall petition the court for a rehearing and aver reasons for the appeal.
B. Rehearing. The judge may order a rehearing to be held within seven days of the date of the appeal. The detention status of the juvenile will remain the same pending the rehearing unless otherwise ordered by the judge.
Comment Under paragraph (B), the judge does not have to grant a rehearing. A judge may deny the request based on the petition. If the judge does grant a hearing, it should be held within seven days of the date of the appeal.
Jeopardy does not attach at a master's hearing. See In re Stephens, 419 A.2d 1244 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1980).
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