THE COURTS
Title 237—JUVENILE RULES
PART I. RULES
[ 237 PA. CODE CH. 4 ]
Order Amending Rule 407 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure; No. 870 Supreme Court Rules Doc.
[51 Pa.B. 3090]
[Saturday, June 5, 2021]
Order Per Curiam
And Now, this 26th day of May, 2021, upon the recommendation of the Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee, the proposal having been published for public comment at 47 Pa.B. 7011 (November 18, 2017):
It is Ordered pursuant to Article V, Section 10 of the Constitution of Pennsylvania that Rule 407 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure is amended in the following form.
This Order shall be processed in accordance with Pa.R.J.A. No. 103(b), and shall be effective on October 1, 2021.
Annex A
TITLE 237. JUVENILE RULES
PART I. RULES
Subpart A. DELINQUENCY MATTERS
CHAPTER 4. ADJUDICATORY HEARING Rule 407. Admissions.
A. Admissions. At any time after a petition is filed, the juvenile may tender an admission to some or all of the delinquent acts charged.
1) Requirements.
a) Before the court can accept an admission, the court shall determine that the admission is knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made.
b) As a part of this determination, the court shall ensure:
i) an attorney has reviewed and completed the admission colloquy with the juvenile pursuant to paragraph (C); and
ii) there is a factual basis for the admission.
c) At the hearing, the court shall conduct an independent inquiry with the juvenile to determine:
i) whether the juvenile understands the nature of the allegations to which he or she is admitting and understands what it means to admit;
ii) whether the juvenile understands that he or she has the right to a hearing before the judge and understands what occurs at a hearing;
iii) whether the juvenile is aware of the dispositions that could be imposed and the consequences of an adjudication of delinquency that can result from an admission;
iv) whether the juvenile has any questions about the admission; and
v) whether there are any other concerns apparent to the court after such inquiry that should be answered.
2) Agreements. If the parties agree upon the terms of an admission, the tender shall be presented to the court.
3) Court Action. If the court accepts the tender, the court shall enter an order incorporating any agreement. If the court does not accept the tender, the case shall proceed as if no tender had been made.
4) Limitations on Withdrawals. An admission may be withdrawn prior to the court entering the dispositional order. After the court has entered the dispositional order, an admission can be withdrawn only upon a demonstration of manifest injustice.
B. Incriminating Statements. An incriminating statement made by a juvenile in the discussions or conferences incident to an admission that is not ultimately accepted by the court or otherwise permitted to be withdrawn by the court shall not be used against the juvenile over objection in any criminal proceeding or hearing under the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 6301 et seq.
C. Written Admission Colloquy. If a juvenile is making an admission, the colloquy shall be:
1) in writing;
2) reviewed and completed with the juvenile by an attorney;
3) submitted to and reviewed by the court; and
4) substantially in the following form:
ADMISSION COLLOQUY FORM
In re : ____ JD ____ (Juvenile) : : Delinquent Act(s): ______ : ______ : ______ : ______ Answer all of the questions on this form. If you do not understand any question, leave it blank and ask your lawyer or the judge.
I admit that I did the following things (attorney shall list the delinquent acts, grading of acts, and counts): __________
General Information:
1) What is your full name? __________
2) Do you have any other name or nickname? __________
If yes, state: __________3) How old are you today? __________
4) What grade are you in? __________
5) Can you read, write, and understand English? ______ (if yes, go to #6)
a) If you cannot read, has someone read this form to you? _____
If so, who? _________________ (print name)
_________________
(signature of reader verifies that the form has been read to the juvenile)b) If you do not read English, have you been given a translator or a lawyer who speaks your language? __________
c) Did your translator or lawyer read this form to you and explain it? _____
If so, who? _________________ (print name)
_________________
(signature of reader verifies that the form has been read to the juvenile)Knowing and Voluntary Admission:
6) Are you now a patient in a mental hospital? _____
a) If yes, where? __________
b) Are you being treated for a mental illness? _____
c) If yes, what are you being treated for? __________
7) Have you taken any drugs or alcohol yesterday or today that do not make you think clearly? _____
If yes, specify type of drugs and/or alcohol: __________8) Has anyone threatened or forced you to sign this form? _____
If yes, explain: __________9) Have you been promised anything for this admission? _____
If yes, explain: __________Understanding the Admission:
10) Has your lawyer told you what you did was against the law? _____
11) By admitting what you did, do you understand that you are giving up:
a) the right to be presumed innocent, which means the judge does not think you broke the law until the D.A. (District Attorney) proves beyond a reasonable doubt that you broke the law (a reasonable doubt is a belief that it is very possible you did not break the law); _____
b) the right to a hearing by a fair judge; _____
c) the right to remain silent and your silence cannot be held against you; _____
d) the right to tell the judge your side of the story; _____
e) the right to ask witnesses questions; _____
f) the right to present witnesses or evidence to help tell your side of the story, but you do not have to do anything; _____
g) the right to tell the judge you disagree with something; _____
h) the right to ask the judge to decide if he or she should hear certain things; and _____
i) the right to have a higher court review this judge's decision. _____
12) Do you understand if the judge accepts your admission and believes you need help (finds you delinquent), the judge may make you get help? _____
Possible Consequences of Adjudication of Delinquency:
13) Do you understand that if you are found delinquent, the judge may make you pay money and place you outside of your home or on probation until you turn 21 years old? _____
14) Are you aware that if you are admitting to __________
_________________ that your driving license will be suspended now or in the future (which means you will not be able to drive)?
(lawyer shall write acts on this line, cross off, or write n/a).15) Do you understand that this case can be used against you in the future? For example, if you break the law again, you may get a longer sentence in jail. _____
16) Do you understand that if you are found delinquent, other people may find out about it? You may also have to tell people, including colleges, military recruiters, or employers? _____
17) Do you understand that if you are not a U.S. citizen, it may cause problems, which could include being forced to leave the U.S. _____
Admission Agreements:
18) Are you aware that the judge does not have to accept any agreement between you and the District Attorney? _____ (write n/a if no agreement)
19) If you change your mind about admitting to the charges before the judge decides your disposition or consequences, then you can ask the judge to let you take back your admission.
Appeals:
20) If you are found delinquent after this admission, you can have a higher court review your case for only three reasons:
[a) You did not understand this admission or you were forced to admit; _____
b) The court was not the proper court to take your admission; or _____
c) The judge's disposition or consequence is more than the biggest punishment an adult would get for the same crime. _____]
a) whether your admission was voluntary (you made your own decision to admit to a charge. No one forced you to do this. You understood what you were doing, including the consequences.);
b) whether the court was the correct court to hear your case (the court had the authority over your case); or
c) whether the court abused its responsibility or made any mistakes in the things that were ordered as your consequences.
If you do not admit, do you understand you have other rights? _____
Lawyer's Representation and Opportunity to Speak with Guardian
21) Are you okay with what your lawyer did for you and how he or she explained everything? _____
22) Did you talk with your parent or guardian about admitting to the charge(s)? _____
I promise that I have read the whole form or someone has read the form to me. I understand it. I am telling the truth. I am saying that I have done the things on page 1. I believe that this admission is best for me. The signature below and initials on each page of this form are mine.
_________________
JUVENILE_________________
DATEI, ______ , lawyer for the juvenile, have reviewed this form with my client. My client has told me and I believe that he or she understands this form.
_________________
LAWYER FOR JUVENILE_________________
DATED. Admission to an Act of Sexual Violence. If a juvenile is making an admission to an act of sexual violence, see 42 Pa.C.S. § 6358, which may render the juvenile eligible for civil commitment for involuntary treatment upon attaining 20 years of age and subject to SORNA requirements, then the admission colloquy form set forth in paragraph (C) shall be amended to include substantially the following form:
ADDENDUM TO ADMISSION COLLOQUY FORM
In re : ____ JD ____ (Juvenile) : : Delinquent Act(s): ______ : ______ : ______ : ______
ELIGIBILITY FOR CIVIL COMMITMENT FOR INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT Civil Commitment Cases
I did at least one of the crimes (in the box below); AND
If the judge says that I am a delinquent; AND
If I am in placement when I turn age 20,
I can go to a different placement against my will.
See 42 Pa.C.S. § 6401 et seq.
Check all that are true:
[ ] Rape, 18 Pa.C.S. § 3121 [ ] Sexual Assault,
18 Pa.C.S. § 3124.1[ ] Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse,
18 Pa.C.S. § 3123[ ] Indecent Assault,
18 Pa.C.S. § 3126[ ] Aggravated Indecent Assault, 18 Pa.C.S. § 3125 [ ] Incest, 18 Pa.C.S. § 4302 1) If I am in placement when I am age 20, SOAB (State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board) will look at information about me to see if I have mental problems that make it hard for me to stop doing sexual crimes. _____ initials
See 42 Pa.C.S. § 6358.
2) If SOAB thinks that I need treatment, the judge will have a hearing. _____ initials
See 42 Pa.C.S. § 6358.
3) If the judge agrees I need treatment, I will have a second hearing. _____ initials
See 42 Pa.C.S. § 6358.
4) At the hearing, the judge will decide if I have mental problems that make it likely that I will do sexual crimes again. If the judge says yes[,]:
a) I will go to a different placement for at least one year. _____ initials
See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 6403 & 6404.
b) I will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. _____ initials
See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.13(9)
c) If and when I am released from this different placement, I must register with the state police and report to them every 90 days for at least 25 years. It is a crime not to register and report to the state police. Information about me and my crime will also be available for everyone to see on the internet. _____ initials
See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9799.15(a)(5), (a.2) & 9799.15(b)(1)(iii); 18 Pa.C.S. § 4951.1.
d) If I am released from this different placement and continue to register and report to the state police and I do not commit any more serious crimes for at least 25 years, I can ask the judge whether I can stop registering and reporting to the state police. _____ initials
See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.15(a.2).
5) The judge will look at my case each year. I will stay in that placement for as long as the judge decides that I have mental problems that make it likely that I will do sexual crimes again. _____ initials
See 42 Pa.C.S. § 6404.
6) If the judge says I can leave placement, I must continue to get treatment when told for my mental problems. The judge will look at my case after one year. _____ initials
See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 6404.1 & 6404.2.
7) If the judge says I can stop getting treatment after one year, I still must talk to a counselor every month. ____ initials
See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 6404.1 & 6404.2.
8) If I do not obey these rules or the counselor says I cannot stop my bad actions, I will be sent back to placement. _____ initials
See 42 Pa.C.S. § 6404.2.
Lawyer's Representation and Opportunity to Speak with Guardian
9) Did you talk with your lawyer before you decided to tell the judge you did the crimes (delinquent acts)
[ ] Yes [ ] No10) Are you okay with what your lawyer did for you?
[ ] Yes [ ] No11) Did your lawyer answer all your questions?
[ ] Yes [ ] No12) Did you talk with your parent or guardian about saying you did the crimes? [ ] Yes [ ] No
If you answered no, would you like to talk with them now? [ ] Yes [ ] No
I have read this form or someone has read this form to me.
I understand the form and what I have to do. The signature below and initials on each page of this form are mine.
_________________
JUVENILE_________________
DATEI, ______ , lawyer for the juvenile, have reviewed this form with my client. My client has informed me and I believe that he or she understands the rights, consequences, and dispositions outlined in this form. I have completed the foregoing sections with my client. I have explained them. I have no issues with my client admitting to the delinquent acts.
_________________
LAWYER FOR JUVENILE_________________
DATE
Comment Under paragraph (A)(1), the court is to determine if the admission is knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made by asking questions to ascertain the juvenile's ability to comprehend the written colloquy and to make an admission.
The written colloquy serves as an aid for the court in making its determination that the admission is knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made and it does not supplant the court's responsibility to conduct a sufficient inquiry to support its determination pursuant to paragraph (A)(1).
Nothing in this rule prohibits the judge from reviewing the entire written colloquy with the juvenile on the record or asking more questions than required under paragraph (A)(1)(c).
The admission colloquy is similar to a guilty plea colloquy in criminal court; however, the juvenile court judge has special responsibilities under the Juvenile Act in providing a balanced attention to the protection of the community, the imposition of accountability for delinquent acts committed, and the development of competencies to enable juveniles to become responsible and productive members of the community. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 6301.
If the court finds an admission is not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made, the case is to proceed to a hearing pursuant to Rule 406. The decision whether an admission is knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made is not appealable to another common pleas judge; therefore, the admission may not be presented to another judge once this determination has been made.
Under paragraph (A)(3), if the disposition agreed upon by the parties is unavailable or the court does not agree with the terms of the tender, the case is to proceed as if no tender had been made.
The court is not to accept a plea of nolo contendere. See In re B.P.Y., 712 A.2d 769 (Pa. Super. 1998).
If the court does not accept an agreement or finds an admission not to be knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made, a motion for recusal of the judge may be appropriate for the adjudicatory hearing.
Pursuant to paragraph (C), an attorney is to review the written admission colloquy with the juvenile prior to entering the courtroom. The practice in some judicial districts permitting the juvenile probation officer to review this colloquy with the juvenile is inconsistent with this rule.
Pursuant to paragraph (D), the written admission colloquy in paragraph (C) is to be amended when the juvenile is admitting to an act that would render the juvenile eligible for court-ordered involuntary treatment upon attaining 20 years of age and SORNA registration and reporting requirements. See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 6358, 6403, 9799.13(9), and 9799.15(a)(5). The court is to conduct a colloquy as to the potential consequences of an admission of this type using the form in paragraph (D).
The colloquy forms use several age-appropriate terms for the juvenile to understand; however, certain legal terms are contained in the form. It is expected that attorneys will explain these forms until their clients understand.
The forms used for admissions are to be substantially in the forms found at paragraphs (C)(4) and (D). The questions set forth are the minimal standard. A judicial district may choose to add requirements to these admission colloquies. Any addition to the required colloquies is considered a local rule and the procedures of Rule 121 and Rule of Judicial Administration 103(d) are to be followed if a judicial district chooses to make additions. See [Rule 121] Pa.R.J.C.P. 121; Pa.R.J.A. No. 103(d).
The admission colloquies can be downloaded from the Supreme Court's webpage at [http://www.pacourts.us/T/BoardsCommittees/JuvenileCourtProcedural/] http://www.pacourts.us/forms/juvenile-delinquency-forms. The forms are also available in Spanish.
The Pennsylvania Juvenile Collateral Consequences checklist is also available on the Supreme Court's webpage.
Nothing in this rule precludes the court from entering a consent decree after the acceptance of an admission.
Official Note: Rule 407 adopted April 1, 2005, effective October 1, 2005. Amended January 18, 2012, effective April 1, 2012. Amended January 23, 2017, effective April 3, 2017. Amended May 26, 2021, effective October 1, 2021.
Committee Explanatory Reports:
Final Report explaining the provisions of Rule 407 published with the Court's Order at 35 Pa.B. 2214 (April 16, 2005).
Final Report explaining the amendments to Rule 407 published with the Courts' Order at 42 Pa.B. 664 (February 4, 2012).
Final Report explaining the amendments to Rule 407 published with the Courts' Order at 47 Pa.B. 820 (February 11, 2017).
Final Report explaining the amendments to Rule 407 published with the Courts' Order at 51 Pa.B. 3090 (June 5, 2021).
FINAL REPORT1
Amendment of Pa.R.J.C.P. 407 On May 26, 2021, the Supreme Court amended Rule of Juvenile Court Procedure 407 to add a provision concerning requirements pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9799.10—9799.42 for a sexually violent delinquent child (SVDC) committed for involuntary treatment. The Committee further recommends revision of the colloquy to make language concerning appellate rights after an admission consistent with Rule 512(C).
Effective April 1, 2017, the Court amended Rule 407 to simplify language in the admission colloquy and to add a separate colloquy when a juvenile is making an admission to an act of sexual violence. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 6358; see also 47 Pa.B. 820 (February 11, 2017). Regarding the latter colloquy, it advised the juvenile of the possibility of civil commitment after termination of juvenile court supervision when the juvenile turns 21 years of age. The same judicial finding that would trigger the civil commitment would also result in the juvenile being subject to lifelong SORNA registration. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.13(9) (applicability of SORNA to SVDC) and § 9799.15(a)(5) (lifelong registration requirement).
The Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee subsequently received a request to amend Rule 407(D) to add a provision regarding the SORNA registration requirement under these circumstances. The Committee published a proposal to amend Rule 407 to revise the ''Addendum to Admission Colloquy Form'' to add a new Question 4(b) concerning the SORNA registration requirement, the frequency of reporting, the term of this obligation, and the public availability of registration information. The phrasing contained in the question was intended to reflect a seventh grade reading level. See 47 Pa.B. 7011 (November 18, 2017).
Additionally, for consistency purposes, the Committee proposed replacing the language of Question 20 in the Admission Colloquy Form in Rule 407(C) with the language contained in Question 9 of the Post Dispositional Rights Colloquy in Rule 512(C). The provisions in both forms discuss a juvenile's appellate rights after an admission; the Committee did not believe the description of the rights should vary because the rights themselves do not vary.
On February 21, 2018, the General Assembly passed Act 10 of 2018, which divided SORNA into two subchapters. Subchapter H is based on the original SORNA statute and is applicable to offenders who committed their offenses after the December 20, 2012 effective date of SORNA, 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.11(c); Subchapter I is applicable to offenders who committed their offenses prior to the effective date of SORNA, 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.52. Subchapter I does not provide for the SORNA registration of SVDCs and does not apply to those who were adjudicated delinquent for sexual offenses as juveniles. However, a determination of SVDC status for those who committed their offenses after the effective date of SORNA does result in an SVDC being placed on the SORNA registry under Subchapter H, and SVDCs are subject to the same registration and notification requirements as sexually violent predators (SORNA Subchapter H requirements), see 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9799.15, 9799.16, 9799.26, 9799.27, as well as lifetime monthly counseling, see 42 Pa.C.S. § 6404.2(g). The General Assembly later passed Act 29 of 2018, which replaced Act 10, but made no relevant changes to Subchapter H regarding the statutory scheme applicable to SVDCs.
To reflect the consequences of Subchapter H, the Committee recommended post-publication revision of Pa.R.J.C.P. 407(D) to state:
D. Admission to an Act of Sexual Violence. If a juvenile is making an admission to an act of sexual violence, see 42 Pa.C.S. § 6358, which may render the juvenile eligible for civil commitment for involuntary treatment upon attaining 20 years of age and subject to SORNA requirements, then the admission colloquy form set forth in paragraph (C) shall be amended to include substantially the following form:
The added language would qualify the use of the form for offenses subject to Subchapter H, which contains the SORNA requirements. Consequently, the previously proposed Question 4(b) within the proposed ''Addendum to Admission Colloquy'' form in Pa.R.J.C.P. 407(D) was revised to include only the consequence of SORNA registration. Where an offense is not subject to Subchapter H due to the date of the offense, the colloquy requirement pursuant to Pa.R.J.C.P. 407(D) would not apply.
Another significant change resulting from Act 10 with regard to SVDCs under Subchapter H was the addition of a provision allowing SVDCs, and other lifetime registrants, to petition for removal from the registry after 25 years. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.15(a.2). To reflect this change, the Committee recommended the post-publication addition of Questions 4(c)-(d) to the proposed ''Addendum to Admission Colloquy'' form. The content of Question 4(c) is partially derived from the previously proposed Question (4)(b). These changes are intended to further inform a juvenile of the consequences of an admission and ability to seek removal from the registry.
This amendment to Pa.R.J.C.P. 407 will become effective October 1, 2021.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 21-884. Filed for public inspection June 4, 2021, 9:00 a.m.] _______
1 The Committee's Final Report 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 Committee's explanatory Final Reports.
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