Rule 100 Scope of Rules

The Pennsylvania Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure are split into two categories: delinquency matters and dependency matters. All delinquency matters are governed by Chapters One through Ten (Rules 100—1099). All dependency matters are governed by Chapters Eleven through Twenty (Rules 1100—2099).

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 alleged 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.

Unless specifically provided in these rules, the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure and the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure do not apply to delinquency proceedings commenced pursuant to Rule 200 and 42 Pa.C.S. § 6301 et seq.

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.R.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 121 and Pa.R.J.A. 103.

Rule 100 adopted April 1, 2005, effective October 1, 2005. Amended May 12, 2008, effective immediately.

Final Report explaining the amendments to Rule 100 published with the Court’s Order at 38 Pa.B. 2360 (May 24, 2008).