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Rule 200 Commencing Proceedings

Chapter 2: Commencement of Proceedings, Arrest Procedures, Written Allegation, and Pre-adjudicatory Detention

Juvenile delinquency proceedings within a judicial district shall be commenced by:

1) submitting a written allegation pursuant to Rule 231;

2) an arrest without a warrant:

a) when the offense is a felony or misdemeanor committed in the presence of the police officer making the arrest; or

b) upon probable cause when the offense is a felony; or

c) upon probable cause when the offense is a misdemeanor not committed in the presence of the police officer making the arrest, when such arrest without a warrant is specifically authorized by statute;

3) the filing of a certification with the court that a juvenile has failed to comply with a lawful sentence imposed for a summary offense;

4) transfer of a case from a criminal proceeding pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 597 and 42 Pa.C.S. § 6322;

5) the court accepting jurisdiction of a resident juvenile from another state; or

6) the court accepting supervision of a juvenile pursuant to another state’s order.

Amendment history: The provisions of this Rule 200 amended March 23, 2007, effective August 1, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 1483; amended May 12, 2008, effective May 12, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 2360; amended January 22, 2009, effective March 1, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 676; amended July 31, 2012, effective November 1, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 5350; amended February 18, 2026, effective July 1, 2026, 56 Pa.B. 1108. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (401354) to (401355).