Northumberland Cnty. C.P. Rule N.C.R 576.1 Electronic Filing of Legal Papers

Northumberland County

Rule N.C.R. 576.1. Electronic Filing of Legal Papers.

A. Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 576.1, Electronic Filing

and Service of Legal Papers electronic filing of legal papers through the

PACFile electronic filing system is permissive in Northumberland County,

the 8th Judicial District, as of March 13, 2017. The Administrative Office of

Pennsylvania Courts and the judicial district of Northumberland County

have agreed upon an implementation plan for PACFile in Northumberland

County.

B. The electronic filing of motions and other legal papers in the

Northumberland County Court of Commons Pleas-Clerk of Courts is

authorized as specifically provided in this rule. Parties shall electronically

file documents using the PacFile electronic filing system developed by the

Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts. The application of

general rules of court and court policies that implement the rules shall

continue to apply to all filings regardless of the method of filing.

C. Legal Papers Defined. The ”legal papers” which shall be filed electronically

shall encompass all written motions, written answers and any notices or

documents for which filing is required or permitted, including orders,

exhibits and attachments, except for the following:

1. Applications for a search warrant;

2. Applications for an arrest warrant;

3. Grand jury materials, except the indicting grand jury indictment or the

investigating grand jury presentment;

4. Submissions filed ex parte as authorized by law and

5. Submissions filed or authorized to be filed under seal.

D. Attorneys or self-represented parties who file legal papers electronically

must establish a PACFile account using the Unified Judicial System of

Pennsylvania Web Portal. Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal

Procedure 576.1(D)(2), the establishment of PACFile account constitutes

consent to participate in electronic filing, including acceptance of service

electronically of any document filed using PACFile.

E. Applicable filing fees shall be paid electronically through procedures

established by the Clerk of Courts and at the same time and in the same

amount as required by statute, court rule or order, or established by a

published fee schedule.

Northumberland County

F. A party who was granted In Forma Pauperis status shall not pay filing fees

to the Clerk of Courts.

G. All filings shall comply with the Case Records Public Access Policy of the

Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania.

H. Service of Legal Papers.

a. Attorney or self-represented parties who are unable or unwilling to

participate in electronic filing of documents are permitted to file and

serve the legal papers in a physical paper format.

b. Service of legal papers on any attorney or party who has not

established an account as provided in subsection (C) of this rule shall

be made in accordance with Pa.R.Crim.P. 576. Specifically, the

following offices must be served in accordance with Rule 576: Sheriff,

Probation Services, Court Reporter, and Court Administration. This

applies to the service of court orders and notices. Distribution to

those parties not automatically served via PACFile with a court order

or notice must be filed with the Clerk of Courts office with a

complete distribution legend listing the names and addresses of all

parties required to be served with a paper copy.

This rule shall be effective thirty (30) days from the date of publication.

By the Court

CHARLES H. SAYLOR,

President Judge