42 Pa. C.S. § 5553

Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-92
Section 5553 - Summary offenses involving vehicles
(a) General ruleExcept as provided in subsection (b) or (c), proceedings for a summary offense under Title 75 (relating to vehicles) must be commenced within 30 days after the commission of the alleged offense or within 30 days after the discovery of the commission of the offense or the identity of the offender, whichever is later, and not thereafter.
(b) Deleted by 2004, Nov. 29, P.L. 1364, No. 176, § 1, imd. effective.
(c) Exceptions
(1) Where proceedings are timely commenced against a person reasonably believed to have committed the summary offense or offenses charged and it subsequently appears that a person other than the person charged is the offender, proceedings may be commenced against the other person within 30 days after the identity of the person is discovered and not thereafter.
(2) Proceedings for summary offenses under Title 75 may be commenced within 365 days after the commission of the offense, the discovery of the commission of the offense or the discovery of the identity of the offender, whichever is later, and not thereafter if the offense involved an accident resulting in the bodily injury or death of any person.
(3) Where a police officer reasonably believes that there are multiple summary offenses arising out of the same conduct or the same criminal episode and that an offense under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1543 (relating to driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked) has occurred, proceedings on all summary offenses arising from the conduct or episode may be commenced at the same time and must be commenced within 30 days after the commission of the alleged offenses or within 30 days after the discovery of the commission of the offenses or the identity of the offender or within 30 days after the police officer receives verification of the basis for the suspension from the Department of Transportation as required under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1543(d), whichever is later, and not thereafter.
(d) Local ordinances on overtime parkingLocal ordinances pertaining to overtime parking shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
(e) Disposition of proceedings within three yearsNo proceedings shall be held or action taken pursuant to a summary offense under Title 75 subsequent to three years after the commission of the offense.

42 Pa.C.S. § 5553

1978, April 28, P.L. 202, No. 53, § 10(65), effective 6/27/1978. Amended 1980, Oct. 5, P.L. 693, No. 142, § 501(a), effective in 60 days; 1982, June 15, P.L. 512, No. 141, § 2, effective in 60 days; 2004, Nov. 29, P.L. 1325, No. 166, § 1, effective 1/28/2005; 2004, Nov. 29, P.L. 1364, No. 176, § 1, imd. effective.