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Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5506 (2026)

 Loitering and prowling at night time.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 5506.  Loitering and prowling at night time.

Whoever at night time maliciously loiters or maliciously prowls around a dwelling house or any other place used wholly or in part for living or dwelling purposes, belonging to or occupied by another, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

 

Cross References.  Section 5506 is referred to in section 3019 of this title; section 6328 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 32 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1975–2026 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Clark, 735 A.2d 1248 (Pa. 1999).
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Commonwealth v. Clark, 735 A.2d 1248 (Pa. 1999). · cites it 4× “NOTES [1] 18 Pa.C.S. § 5506. [2] 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(16).”
In Re: D.C.D. Appeal of: Commonwealth, 171 A.3d 727 (Pa. 2017). · cites it 2× “1, loitering and prowling at night time, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5506, and summary harassment, 18 Pa.”
Commonwealth v. Williams, 574 A.2d 1161 (Pa. 1990). “18 Pa.Cons.Stat.Ann. § 5503 (Purdon 1983).”
Commonwealth v. Chapman, 414 A.2d 352 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1979). · cites it 2× “[2] 18 Pa.C.S. § 5506. [3] Pa.R.Crim.P. 1100(a)(1) provides that "[t]rial in a court case in which a written complaint is filed against the defendant after June 30, 1973 but before July 1, 1974 shall commence no later than two hundred seventy (270) days from the date on which…”
Commonwealth v. Bortz, 909 A.2d 1221 (Pa. 2006). “§ 3304, and one count of loitering and prowling at nighttime under 18 Pa.C.S. § 5506. A jury convicted Bortz on all counts.”
Off. of Disciplinary Couns. v. Zdrok, 645 A.2d 830 (Pa. 1994). “4873-76 of loitering and prowling at nighttime in violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5506. 6. On September 8, 1988 Respondent was sentenced by Judge Nicholas to a one-year term of probation plus payment of costs in the amount of $1,000.”
Commonwealth v. Melnyczenko, 619 A.2d 719 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992). · cites it 2× “" 18 Pa.C.S. § 5506. Appellant argues that there is insufficient evidence to prove the elements of night time, maliciousness, and loitering or prowling.”
Commonwealth v. Dennis, 344 A.2d 713 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1975). · cites it 2× “NOTES [1] A violation of "The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act", Act of 1972, April 14, P.”
Commonwealth v. Ahearn, 670 A.2d 133 (Pa. 1996). “Appellant, as the party appealing, bears the burden of reproducing any relevant related matter contained in the trial court record.”
United States v. Tremayne James, 952 F.3d 429 (3rd Cir. 2020). · cites it 3× “The present appeal asks us to decide this same question for a sentence under Pennsylvania’s anti-loitering statute, 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5506 (2019). Because that law is different from the New Jersey provision in important respects, we take this opportunity to clarify our…”
Commonwealth v. Martinez, 438 A.2d 984 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1981). “18 Pa.Cons.Stat.Ann. § 5506 (Purdon 1976).”
United States v. Terrell Carter, 536 F. App'x 294 (3rd Cir. 2013). · cites it 4× “” 18 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 5506 (the “Malicious Loitering Statute”).”
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