Section 422. Pleas in Response to Summons

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

Comment

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

For the consequences of failure to respond as provided in this rule, see Rule 430(A).

Official Note

Previous Rule 67, adopted September 18, 1973, effective January 1, 1974; amended May 26, 1977, effective July 1, 1977; amended April 26, 1979, effective July 1, 1979; Comment revised April 24, 1981, effective July 1, 1981; Comment revised January 28, 1983, effective July 1, 1983; rescinded July 12, 1985, effective January 1, 1986, and replaced by present Rules 460, 461, and 462. Present Rule 67 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 422 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