Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4501 (2026)

Definitions.

✓ current as of May 2026

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ARTICLE E

OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Chapter

45. General Provisions

47. Bribery and Corrupt Influence

49. Falsification and Intimidation

51. Obstructing Governmental Operations

53. Abuse of Office

CHAPTER 45

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec.

4501. Definitions.

Enactment. Chapter 45 was added December 6, 1972, P.L.1482, No.334, effective in six months.

§ 4501. Definitions.

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this article which are applicable to specific chapters or other provisions of this article, the following words and phrases, when used in this article shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:

"Administrative proceeding." Any proceeding other than a judicial proceeding, the outcome of which is required to be based on a record or documentation prescribed by law, or in which law or regulation is particularized in application to individuals.

"Benefit." Gain or advantage, or anything regarded by the beneficiary as gain or advantage, including benefit to any other person or entity in whose welfare he is interested, but not an advantage promised generally to a group or class of voters as a consequence of public measures which a candidate engages to support or oppose.

"Government." Includes any branch, subdivision or agency of:

(1) the Commonwealth government;

(2) any political subdivision; or

(3) any municipal or local authority.

"Harm." Loss, disadvantage or injury, or anything so regarded by the person affected, including loss, disadvantage or injury to any other person or entity in whose welfare he is interested.

"Licensing board." Any of the following:

(1) A board or commission:

(i) which is empowered to license, certify or register individuals as members of an occupation or profession; and

(ii) of which the Commissioner of Professional and Occupational Affairs is a member.

(2) The State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers.

(3) The Navigation Commission for the Delaware River and its navigable tributaries.

"Official proceeding." A proceeding heard or which may be heard before any legislative, judicial, administrative or other government agency or official authorized to take evidence under oath, including any referee, hearing examiner, commissioner, notary or other person taking testimony or deposition in connection with any such proceeding.

"Party official." A person who holds an elective or appointive post in a political party in the United States by virtue of which he directs or conducts, or participates in directing or conducting party affairs at any level of responsibility.

"Pecuniary benefit." Benefit in the form of money, property, commercial interests or anything else the primary significance of which is economic gain.

"Professional or occupational license." An authorization by a licensing board to practice a profession or occupation.

(1) The term includes:

(i) an authorization that is suspended, retired, inactive or expired; and

(ii) a temporary practice permit, license, certification or registration.

(2) The term does not include an authorization that has been revoked or voluntarily surrendered.

"Public servant." Any officer or employee of government, including members of the General Assembly and judges, and any person participating as juror, advisor, consultant or otherwise, in performing a governmental function; but the term does not include witnesses.

(Mar. 22, 2010, P.L.144, No.12, eff. 60 days)

2010 Amendment. Act 12 added the defs. of "licensing board" and "professional or occupational license."

Cross References. Section 4501 is referred to in section 4958 of this title.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 11 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1979–2026 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Moran, Aplt, 104 A.3d 1136 (Pa. 2014).

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Commonwealth v. Moran, Aplt, 104 A.3d 1136 (Pa. 2014). · cites it 11× “Turning to the issue of culpability, the court noted the level of intent was arguably implicit in the statute; the use of the phrase “solicits, accepts or agrees to accept,” which are inherently volitional terms, indicated culpability “depends upon evidence of a 3 18 Pa.C.S. §…”

Commonwealth v. Veon, 150 A.3d 435 (Pa. 2016). · cites it 2× “” 18 Pa.C.S. § 4501 (emphasis added). 19 However, by its terms, and with certain caveats, that definition applies only within.”

Commonwealth v. Moran, 5 A.3d 273 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2010). · cites it 10× “" See 18 Pa.C.S. § 4501. Moran challenges the foregoing distinction, arguing that "[t]he evidence only established that the Appellant was attempting to raise the purchase price of a property the township was selling, but that money, had it been paid, would not have gone to the…”

Petition of Dwyer, 406 A.2d 1355 (Pa. 1979). · cites it 2× “Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 4501, 4701, 4901, 5101, 5301), crimen falsi, conspiracy to commit crimes, etc.”

Commonwealth v. Schauffler, 580 A.2d 314 (Pa. 1990). “He relies on 18 Pa.C.S. § 4501, which defines public servant as “any officer or employee of government, including members of the General Assembly and judges, and any person participating as juror, advisor, consultant or otherwise, in performing a governmental function; but the…”

United States v. Manzo, 851 F. Supp. 2d 797 (D.N.J. 2012). “035 (proscribing receipt of bribes by public servants, and defining said as an "elected official, appointed official, employee or agent" or as a "person nominated, elected or appointed to become a public servant, although not yet occupying the position”); Pennsylvania: 18…”

Com. v. Loper, S. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). “” 18 Pa.C.S. § 4501. Appellant confines his challenge to the Commonwealth’s purported failure to offer evidence that established the intent element of the offense.”

Com. v. Silva, P. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018). “” 18 Pa.C.S. § 4501. Appellant contends the evidence was insufficient to allow for the reasonable inference that he intended to induce Ms.”

Com. v. Murphy, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). “This Court has previously held that constables are not ____________________________________________ 10 While the Commonwealth cites to the definition of “public official” under the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1102, the article of the Crimes Code for…”

Com. v. Owens, C. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2026). “]” 18 Pa.C.S. § 4501 (definitions). Appellant fails to recognize that COs are employees of the government; specifically, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.”

Commonwealth v. Gilbert, 46 Pa. D. & C.3d 446 (1986). “” Therefore, the issue before the court is whether the interview of a witness conducted in the district attorney’s office, in the presence of members of the police department and an assistant district attorney, constitutes an official proceeding when the witness is placed under…”

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