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Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5510 (2026)

 Abuse of corpse.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 5510.  Abuse of corpse.

Except as authorized by law, a person who treats a corpse in a way that he knows would outrage ordinary family sensibilities commits a misdemeanor of the second degree.

 

Cross References.  Section 5510 is referred to in sections  9122.1, 9122.3 of this title; section 2303 of Title 44 (Law and Justice).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 32 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1976–2024 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Bomar, 826 A.2d 831 (Pa. 2003).
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Commonwealth v. Bomar, 826 A.2d 831 (Pa. 2003). · cites it 2× “[5] 18 Pa.C.S. § 5510. [6] 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(d)(6).”
Commonwealth v. Clemons, J., Aplt., 200 A.3d 441 (Pa. 2019). · cites it 2× “§ 2702, abuse of a corpse, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5510, unauthorized use of automobiles, 18 Pa.”
Commonwealth v. Fears, 836 A.2d 52 (Pa. 2003). · cites it 2× “[4] 18 Pa.C.S. § 5510. [5] All appeals in cases where the death penalty has been imposed are reviewed directly by this court.”
Minnesota Fire & Cas. Co. v. Greenfield, 855 A.2d 854 (Pa. 2004). · cites it 2× “[4] 18 Pa.C.S. § 5510 provides that "[e]xcept as authorized by law, a person who treats a corpse in a way that he knows would outrage ordinary family sensibilities commits a misdemeanor of the second degree.”
Commonwealth v. Hicks, C., Aplt., 156 A.3d 1114 (Pa. 2017). “S § 4910(1), and 18 Pa.C.S § 5510, respectively. . Justice Donohue, in dissent, notes there was conflicting expert testimony regarding the manner of the victim’s death and whether her neck injuries were pre- or postmortem.”
Commonwealth v. Tharp, 830 A.2d 519 (Pa. 2003). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5510. 7 . 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(d)(16).”
Commonwealth v. Sudler, 436 A.2d 1376 (Pa. 1981). · cites it 2× “By contrast, under 18 Pa.C.S. § 5510 the Legislature provides: "Except as authorized by law, a person who treats a corpse in a way that he knows would outrage ordinary sensibilities commits a misdemeanor of the second degree.”
Commonwealth v. Martin, 101 A.3d 706 (Pa. 2014). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5510. Appellant’s first four issues encompass both guilt and penalty phase issues.”
Commonwealth v. Blount, 647 A.2d 199 (Pa. 1994). · cites it 2× “[4] 18 Pa.C.S. § 5510. [5] The defendant has been convicted of another murder, committed either before or at the time of the offense at issue.”
Commonwealth v. O'Donnell, 740 A.2d 198 (Pa. 1999). · cites it 2× “§ 3921; unauthorized use of an automobile, 18 Pa.”
Son Duc Tran v. Alberto Gonzales, Attorney Gen. of the United States, 414 F.3d 464 (3rd Cir. 2005). “Similarly, Tran’s plea to abusing a corpse, in violation of 18 Pa. Cons.Stat. § 5510, is not before us.”
Commonwealth v. Baldwin, 8 A.3d 901 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2010). · cites it 2× “] 2 18 Pa.C.S. § 5510, as amended[.] Prior to sentencing, trial counsel was granted permission to withdraw.”
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