PART B(1). Complaint Procedures
Rule 503. Complaint Procedures Generally.
In every court case a complaint shall be filed with the appropriate issuing authority.
Comment Except in those cases where a warrantless arrest is made pursuant to Rules 502 and 518, the filing of a complaint institutes proceedings in a court case, followed by the issuance of a summons or arrest warrant. When a defendant is arrested without a warrant, it is the arrest itself which institutes proceedings, followed by the filing of a complaint.
For the filing of a complaint in summary cases, see Chapter 4, Part C, Procedures in Summary Cases When Complaint is Filed. See also Rule 504(6)(b) concerning the contents of a complaint in summary cases.
Official Note
Rule 103 adopted August 9, 1994, effective January 1, 1995; renumbered Rule 503 and Comment revised March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001.
Committee Explanatory Reports:
Report explaining the provisions of the new rule published at 22 Pa.B. 6 (January 4, 1992); Final Report published with the Courts Order at 24 Pa.B. 4342 (August 27, 1994).
Final Report explaining the March 1, 2000 reorganization and renumbering of the rules published with the Courts Order at 30 Pa.B. 1478 (March 18, 2000).
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