Rule 542.1 - Form of Written NoticeThe written notice shall substantially be in the following form:
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ADAMS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA CRIMINAL | |
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA | MJ-513-CR- |
VS. | |
_____________________________________ CHARGES: | |
NOTICE OF COURT DATES
1. You must appear for formal arraignment at a time to be determined by separate notice on _______________, 20___ in a Courtroom to be designated, fourth floor, Adams County Courthouse, 111-117 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, unless you are represented by counsel and your attorney has filed a written waiver of arraignment with the Adams County Clerk of Court's Office prior to the above specified date and time. If you do not appear or do not file a written waiver of arraignment as directed, a bench warrant will be issued for your arrest and bail will be forfeited.2. You must appear for a non-trial disposition conference in the Adams County District Attorney's Office, Room 301, Adams County Courthouse, on _______________, 20__ at 10:00 a.m. Your failure to appear on said date and time will result in your bail being revoked and a bench warrant being issued for your arrest. If you are represented by counsel, your appearance may be waived upon consent of the Commonwealth.3. You must appear at a time to be determined by separate notice on _______________, 20__ in a Courtroom to be designated, fourth floor, Adams County Courthouse, for purpose of entering a plea or requesting a continuance in the above-captioned case. If you fail to appear on said date, your bail will be revoked and a warrant will be issued for arrest.4. You are scheduled for trial during the trial term beginning _______________, 20__ at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom No. 2, fourth floor, Adams County Courthouse. Jury selection will take place on the first day of the trial term and trials will be held throughout the length of the trial term. Your failure to appear will result in forfeiture of your bail and issuance of a warrant for your arrest. If you fail to appear without cause for jury selection or trial, your absence may be deemed waiver of your right to be present and the proceeding, including trial, may be conducted in your absence. If trial occurs in your absence, you may be found guilty of all charges against you and subject to all penalties provided by law including imprisonment. FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ATTORNEY OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR COUNSEL UPON COMPLETION OF AN APPLICATION FOR COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL AVAILABLE AT THE ADAMS COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AT 717-337-9842.
I, the undersigned defendant, acknowledge that I have received a copy of the above Notice of Court Dates and understand that should I fail to appear on the dates set forth hereinabove, a bench warrant may be issued for my arrest. I further understand that a trial may be held in my absence if I fail to appear on the trial dates set forth hereinabove.
_______________ Date | _________________ Defendant's signature | ___________________________ Defense Attorney's signature |
Amended effective 5/29/2023; amended effective 7/31/2023; amended effective 12/18/2023; amended effective 8/12/2024.