Section 2138. Briefs in Cases Involving Appeals from Multiple Orders

Appeals from multiple sentences imposed on a defendant arising out of a single criminal transaction or episode and tried together, and multiple orders affecting an appellant entered substantially concurrently in civil matters consolidated for trial, shall be treated as a single matter for purposes of briefing and argument on appeal.

Official Note

This rule governs cases where one party appeals multiple sentences or other orders. For example, where under Rule 702(b) (matters tried with capital offenses) an appeal from a robbery conviction is taken to the Supreme Court in conjunction with an appeal from a death sentence imposed for a homicide committed in connection with the robbery, only a single brief and reproduced record should be prepared in the Supreme Court covering all issues to be presented in the robbery and homicide appeals.

Where more than one party appellant is involved, the consolidation of briefing is governed by Rule 2137 (briefs in cases involving multiple appellants or appellees). Where one party appeals multiple orders, and several parties appeal the same or related orders both Rule 2137 and this rule will be applicable to the matters so that all appellants may file one combined brief as to all orders.

The provisions of this Rule 2138 amended through April 26, 1982, effective September 12, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 1536. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (43052).