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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 16-1480

THE COURTS

Title 255—LOCAL
COURT RULES

BEDFORD COUNTY

Designation of a Central Location for Holding Preliminary Hearings in Court Cases; AD No. 3 for 2016

[46 Pa.B. 5534]
[Saturday, August 27, 2016]

Order of Court

 And Now, this 4th day of August, 2016, because of the increase in criminal prosecution, involuntary detention after arrest, and the relatively large geographical area of this Judicial District, it is the opinion of this Court that the administration of justice may be more expeditiously accomplished by the establishment of a new central place within the Judicial District for the conduct of all preliminary hearings in court cases in which issuing Authorities of the various Magisterial District shall have jurisdiction.

 Wherefore, it is the Order of the Court that, effective October 19, 2016, and continuing until further Order of Court, Courtroom Number 3 of the Bedford County Courthouse/Office Building, 200 South Juliana Street, Bedford, Pennsylvania, is hereby designated as the place for the conduct of all preliminary hearings within the 57th Judicial District of Pennsylvania, the same to be known as the ''Central Court of Bedford County.''

 Court cases requiring a preliminary hearing shall be transferred forthwith as they are filed by the respective issuing Authorities to Magisterial District 57-3-04 in the West Providence Township Building, 500 State Street, Everett, Pennsylvania, to be brought by staff to ''Central Court'' Wednesday for further processing.

 The ''Central Court'' shall convene for the holding of preliminary hearings at 9:00 o'clock a.m. on Wednesday of each week, unless such day shall be a legal holiday, in which event the regular session of ''Central Court'' for that week shall convene at 9:00 o'clock a.m. on the Thursday immediately following such holiday. Special sessions of said ''Central Court'' may be scheduled for other days of the week as the need arises.

 This Court shall provide for the assignment of Magisterial District Justices to preside at said ''Central Court'', and also shall establish from time to time such procedures for the ''Central Court'' as the needs of justice and the efficient administration thereof may require.

 The Magisterial District Justices, when assigned to preside at ''Central Court'', shall exercise all powers given to Magisterial District Justices by the laws of this Commonwealth and the Rules of Criminal Procedure promulgated by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

 The Court Administrator of this Court acting through the Central Court Manager shall exercise administrative control over the operation of the ''Central Court'', and shall supervise and administer the operation of the same.

 The Sheriff of Bedford County shall ensure at all times when court is in session that a Deputy will be stationed on the first and second floor hallways adjacent to Courtroom No. 3 to facilitate the flow of persons, to provide security, and to minimize disruptions to the rest of the Courthouse. The assigned Deputies shall ensure that those attending ''Central Court'' remain in the hallway areas of the ''Central Court Room'' except as necessary to use the restrooms and to transact other legitimate business.

 All incarcerated persons, absent good reason to the contrary, shall be conducted to the courtroom by way of the outside portico.

 Food, beverage, and smoking shall not be permitted in the ''Central Court'' hallways, or adjacent outside areas.

 The Commonwealth, police officers, victims, witnesses, support personnel, and associated persons shall be situated on the second floor and may make use of the waiting area on that floor. Defense counsel, accused persons, witnesses, family, and associated persons shall be situated on the first floor and may make use of the spaces on that level. Defendants shall proceed to the second floor for hearings and waivers only. Attorneys, including prosecution and defense counsel, may pass freely between the floors. All others should remain on the level assigned except for good cause. Defendant's family and friends shall be permitted to attend the hearings if they so desire. The press and public are permitted to attend preliminary hearings. Photography, video, and recordings are barred except as allowed by law.

 For security reasons, parking outside the first floor hallway exit will be restricted to County personnel.

By the Court

THOMAS S. LING, 
President Judge

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 16-1480. Filed for public inspection August 26, 2016, 9:00 a.m.]


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