Rule Text
A. Summons. The court shall issue a summons compelling the juvenile and the juvenile’s guardian to appear for the dispositional hearing.
B. Notice. Notice of the dispositional hearing shall be given to:
1) the attorney for the Commonwealth;
2) the victim;
3) the juvenile’s attorney;
4) the juvenile probation office; and
5) the educational decision maker, if applicable.
C. Requirements. The general summons and notice procedures of Rule 124 shall be followed.
Amendment history: The provisions of this Rule 500 amended April 29, 2011, effective July 1, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 2413; amended May 26, 2011, effective July 1, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 3180. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (357301) to (357302).
Plain-English Summary (for reference only — not a substitute for the rule text above)
This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
When a juvenile case reaches the dispositional hearing stage, the court must send official legal papers requiring the juvenile and their parent or guardian to show up. This is called a summons, and it is mandatory. They do not have a choice about attending.
The court also must notify several other people about the hearing. This includes the prosecutor, the victim, the juvenile's lawyer, the probation office, and sometimes a person who makes educational decisions for the juvenile.
The court follows the same general rules for sending out these summons and notices that apply to other cases under Rule 124. This covers things like how the papers are delivered and the timing of when people must receive them.
Committee Notes
Section 6335(a) of the Juvenile Act provides that the court shall direct the issuance of a summons to the juvenile, guardian, and any other persons as appears to the court to be proper and necessary for the proceedings. 42 Pa.C.S. § 6335(a).
The attorney for the Commonwealth or its designee is to notify the victim of the date, time, place, and purpose of the dispositional hearing. See Victim’s Bill of Rights, 18 P. S. § 11.201 et seq.
Any persons may be subpoenaed to appear for the hearing. See Rule 123 and 42 Pa.C.S. § 6333. However, nothing in these rules requires the attendance of the victim unless subpoenaed.
Rule 500 adopted April 1, 2005, effective October 1, 2005. Amended April 29, 2011, effective July 1, 2011. Amended May 26, 2011, effective July 1, 2011.
Final Report explaining the amendments to Rule 500 published with the Court’s Order at 41 Pa.B. 2413 (May 14, 2011).
Final Report explaining the amendments to Rule 500 published with the Court’s Order at 41 Pa.B. 3180 (June 25, 2011).
