Section 503. Complaint Procedure Generally

In every court case a complaint shall be filed with the appropriate issuing authority.

Comment

Except in those cases where a warrantless arrest is made pursuant to Rules 502 and 518, the filing of a complaint institutes proceedings in a court case, followed by the issuance of a summons or arrest warrant. When a defendant is arrested without a warrant, it is the arrest itself which institutes proceedings, followed by the filing of a complaint.

For the filing of a complaint in summary cases, see Chapter 4, Part C, Procedures in Summary Cases When Complaint is Filed. See also Rule 504(6)(b) concerning the contents of a complaint in summary cases.

Official Note

Rule 103 adopted August 9, 1994, effective January 1, 1995; renumbered Rule 503 and Comment revised March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001.

Committee Explanatory Reports:

Report explaining the provisions of the new rule published at 22 Pa.B. 6 (January 4, 1992); Final Report published with the Court’s Order at 24 Pa.B. 4342 (August 27, 1994).

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).