Rule 510 - Notice Of Preliminary HearingUpon the filing of a criminal complaint at the office of a Magisterial District Judge where there is neither an arrest warrant issued nor a preliminary arraignment conducted, the MDJ Staff shall contact the Office of Court Administration to obtain a date for the defendant to report for a hearing in Central Court.
a. The hearing shall be scheduled for not less than 20 days from the date of the mailing of the summons unless the issuing authority fixes an earlier date upon the request of the defendant or the defendant's attorney with the consent of the affiant.b. When a hearing date has been obtained by the MDJ Staff, the Magisterial District Judge shall issue an "Order to Appear for Central Court" and a "Hearing Notice" to the defendant.c. The Order to Appear for Central Court shall be printed on the Magisterial District Judge's letterhead, shall be signed by the Magisterial District Judge and shall have the seal of the Magisterial District Court affixed.d. A copy of the Order to Appear for Central Court shall be retained in the MDJ case file. MDJ Staff shall date and initial this copy in the "Office Use Only" block as verification that they included the Order to Appear for Central Court with the Complaint and other documents which are mailed to the defendant.e. The MDJ Staff shall send the defendant, by both certified mail and first class mail, the following: i. The signed and sealed Order to Appear for Central Court.iii.An Informational or Instructions.iv. The Complaint and Affidavit of Probable Cause.v. A fingerprint order if applicable.vi. An application for a public defender.f. The MDJ Staff shall fax a copy of the criminal complaint, the affidavit of the probable cause and the Hearing Notice to the Office of Court Administration, the Office of the District Attorney and the Office of the Public Defender.