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Pennsylvania Criminal Law

Court Rules

When participating in a court case, it is important to follow the correct set of court rules.

The Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure (Pa.R.Crim.P.) are freely available online in Title 234 of the Pennsylvania Code.

For additional ways to access the Pennsylvania court rules, including in print, on the library's Lexis and Westlaw computers, and other online resources, see the Pennsylvania Court Rules - State guide. Historical versions of the court rules are also available through select resources.

Counties may also publish criminal court rules that are specific to that county and should be used in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 103(d)(6)(ii) now requires local courts to "publish a copy of the local rule on the website of the court or county in which the adopting court has jurisdiction". For where to find Pennsylvania county court rules, including in print, on the library's Lexis and Westlaw computers, and online, see the Pennsylvania Court Rules - County guide. Historical versions of the court rules are also available through select resources.