Section 407. Pleas in Response to Citation

Within 10 days after issuance of a citation, the defendant shall notify the issuing authority by mail or in person that the defendant either pleads not guilty or pleads guilty.

Comment

For the consequences of failure to respond as provided in this rule, see Rules 430 and 431.

To notify the issuing authority of the plea, the defendant should sign and return the citation. When a defendant fails to sign the citation to indicate the plea, the issuing authority should record the unsigned citation as a guilty plea. See Rule 403(B)(5).

Official Note

Previous Rule 57 adopted September 18, 1973, effective January 1, 1974; title of rule amended January 23, 1975, effective September 1, 1975; rescinded July 12, 1985, effective January 1, 1986, and replaced by present Rules 411—414 and 421—424. Present Rule 57 adopted July 12, 1985, effective January 1, 1986. The January 1, 1986 effective dates all are extended to July 1, 1986; amended February 1, 1989, effective as to cases instituted on or after July 1, 1989; renumbered Rule 407 and amended March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001.

Committee Explanatory Reports:

Final Report explaining the March 1, 2000 reorganization and renumbering of the rules published with the Court’s Order at 30 Pa.B. 1478 (March 18, 2000). empty