As amended through July 1, 2023
Rule 1901 - Termination of Inactive Summary Cases in the Magisterial District CourtsA. Traffic cases - On or before January 15th of each year, pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 5553(e), each Magisterial District Court shall dismiss all summary offenses under Title 75 (relating to vehicles) where no plea has been entered and the commission of the offense was at least three years prior thereto.B. Non-traffic cases 1. On or before January 15th of each year, each Magisterial District Court shall: i. Identify all summary non-traffic cases where no plea has been entered and where there has been no evidence of activity on the docket during the prior two years other than the filing of a not found return on a warrant of arrest; ii. Compile a list of those cases indicating the docket number, case caption, and charge(s) associated with the docket number; and iii. Promptly provide the list to the District Court Administrator and the District Attorney. 2. Upon receipt of the list from the Magisterial District Court, the District Court Administrator shall submit the list to the Lycoming Reporter for publication. i. The publication shall be advertised one time and shall state the docket number, case caption, and name and office address of the Magisterial District Court and shall indicate that the cases listed shall be dismissed on the 31st day following publication unless a party to the case files with the Magisterial District Court a written objection to dismissal of the case setting forth reasons why no activity has appeared of record for the past two (2) years other than a filing of a not found return on a warrant of arrest. ii. If said written objection is filed within thirty (30) days of the publication, a hearing shall be scheduled to determine if dismissal is appropriate. The hearing shall be held by the Magisterial District Judge not less than thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60) days after such filing, and the Magisterial District Court shall give at least thirty (30) days written notice thereof along with a copy of said written objections served by first class mail. If notice is returned undelivered, the case shall be dismissed. A party shall have the right to appeal to the Court of Common Pleas within the time period for Summary Appeals pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 460. iii. If said written objection is not filed within thirty (30) days of the publication, the Magisterial District Court shall dismiss the case. C. When a case is dismissed under this rule, the Magisterial District Court shall: 1. Vacate any active warrant related to the case/citation/ticket and promptly remove the warrant from Magisterial District Judge System (MDJS), Common Pleas Case Management System (CPCMS), or any other system in which the warrant was issued; and2. Forward notice to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation that the case/citation/ticket has been dismissed and request withdrawal of the defendant's license suspension pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 470.