Washington Cnty. C.P. Local Rules of Juvenile Procedure (Updated May 1, 2023)

27th JUDICIAL DISTRICT

WASHINGTON COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

LOCAL RULES OF JUVENILE PROCEDURE

RULES OF JUVENILE PROCEDURE - DELINQUENCY

RULE L-120. DEFINITIONS. CLERK OF COURTS

The Juvenile Probation Office is designated as the Clerk of Courts for juvenile delinquency

matters. The Juvenile Probation Office shall have the responsibility and function to maintain the

official court record and docket as set forth in Pennsylvania Rule of Juvenile Procedure 166. The

Chief Juvenile Probation Officer shall have the authority to certify records of, and affix the seal

of, the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County where the same may be required.

RULE L-205. ELECTRONIC FILING AND SERVICE OF LEGAL PAPERS

(A) The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts and the 27th Judicial District previously

agreed to an implementation plan for electronic filing through the statewide system known as

PACFile, and more than two years has passed since the use of PACFile was authorized for the

filing of legal papers in delinquency proceedings.

(B) All parties represented by counsel and juvenile probation personnel are required to

electronically file legal papers through PACFile with the clerk of courts, unless otherwise

prohibited by Pa. R. J. C. P. 205(C), and for which PACFile has the technical capability to process.

Legal papers that are exempt from filing by PACFile include:

(1) applications for search warrants;

(2) applications for arrest warrants;

(3) exhibits offered into evidence, whether admitted or not, in a proceeding before a

common pleas judge or hearing officer; and

(4) submissions filed ex parte as authorized by law.

(C) Any party who is unable to participate in PACFile may file legal papers in a physical paper

format with the clerk of courts, and shall be served legal papers in a physical paper format by the

clerk of courts and other parties to the case. However, establishment of a PACFile account by a

filing party shall constitute consent to participate in electronic filing, including acceptance of

service electronically of any document filed in PACFile.

(D) The clerk of courts shall maintain a physical paper file until the case is closed. Following

closure, the clerk of courts may maintain an electronic file only after entering a docket notation

that the electronic file is a complete and true copy of the physical file with the exception of those

items identified in subsections (B)(1) through (B)(4), which must be maintained in a physical paper

format only in accordance with Pa. R. J. C. P. 205(C).

(E) For the purposes of this rule, the term “clerk of courts” is defined as that person or entity

designated as such in Local Rule of Juvenile Procedure 120. The Juvenile Probation Office is the

clerk of courts for delinquency matters.

RULE L-407. ADMISSIONS.

A. [RESERVED]

B. [RESERVED]

C. Written Admission Colloquy. Every defense attorney representing a juvenile alleged to have

perpetrated a delinquent act or acts where the juvenile is entering admissions shall ensure that the

written colloquy required by amended Pa.R.J.C.P. 407 shall be completed prior to the date and

time set for the adjudication hearing in the matter. No admission/s shall be accepted without the

written colloquy completed and submitted to the Court. All attorneys representing the

Commonwealth and/or the juvenile shall attend the scheduled Pre-Trial Conferences at which time

the written colloquy may be completed in preparation for the hearings before the Juvenile Master

and/or the Juvenile Judge.

RULE L-610. DISPOSITIONAL AND COMMITMENT REVIEW.

A. Dispositional Review Hearing. The Court and/or Master shall conduct Dispositional Review

Hearings at least every six (6) months on every juvenile case in the system where the juvenile has

been adjudicated delinquent. The defense attorney who represents the juvenile adjudicated

delinquent shall appear for and be prepared to participate in Dispositional Review Conferences as

scheduled by the Juvenile Probation Office. Further, the defense attorney and the juvenile

adjudicated delinquent shall appear for and be prepared to participate in Dispositional Review

Hearings.

RULES OF JUVENILE PROCEDURE – DEPENDENCY

RULE L-1120 DEFINITIONS. CLERK OF COURTS

The Juvenile Probation Office is designated as the Clerk of Courts for juvenile dependency

matters. The Juvenile Probation Office shall have the responsibility and function to maintain the

official court record and docket as set forth in Pennsylvania Rule of Juvenile Procedure 1166. The

Chief Juvenile Probation Officer shall have the authority to certify records of, and affix the seal

of, the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County where the same may be required.

RULE L-1205. ELECTRONIC FILING AND SERVICE OF LEGAL PAPERS

(A) The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts and the 27th Judicial District previously

agreed to an implementation plan for electronic filing through the statewide system known as

PACFile, and more than two years has passed since the use of PACFile was authorized for the

filing of legal papers in dependency proceedings.

(B) All parties represented by counsel and guardian ad litems are required to electronically file

legal papers through PACFile with the clerk of courts, unless otherwise prohibited by Pa. R. J. C.

P. 1205(C), and for which PACFile has the technical capability to process. Legal papers that are

exempt from filing by PACFile include:

(1) submissions filed ex parte as authorized by law; and

(2) exhibits offered into evidence, whether admitted or not, in a proceeding before a

common pleas judge or hearing officer.

(C) Any party who is unable to participate in PACFile may file legal papers in a physical paper

format with the clerk of courts, and shall be served legal papers in a physical paper format.

However, establishment of a PACFile account by a filing party shall constitute consent to

participate in electronic filing, including acceptance of service electronically of any document filed

in PACFile.

(D) The clerk of courts shall maintain a physical paper file until the case is closed. Following

closure, the clerk of courts may maintain an electronic file only after entering a docket notation

that the electronic file is a complete and true copy of the physical file with the exception of those

items identified in subsections (B)(1) and (B)(2), which must be maintained in a physical paper

format only in accordance with Pa. R. J. C. P. 1205(C).

(E) For the purposes of this rule, the term “clerk of courts” is defined as that person or entity

designated as such in Local Rule of Juvenile Procedure 1120. The Juvenile Probation Office is the

clerk of courts for dependency matters.