Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8933 (2026)

 Dismissal of criminal cases.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 8933.  Dismissal of criminal cases.

(a)  General rule.--In a felony case where no attorney appears on behalf of the Commonwealth at a preliminary hearing or where the victim fails to appear, the issuing authority shall not discharge the defendant for this reason until the issuing authority makes a reasonable attempt to locate the attorney or victim and provides him an opportunity to appear.

(b)  Definition.--As used in this section, the term "reasonable attempt" means requiring court personnel to attempt to locate the attorney or victim within the courthouse, office or place of residence.

(Apr. 13, 1988, P.L.336, No.47, eff. imd.)

 

1988 Amendment.  Act 47 added section 8933.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 2015–2020 · leading case: Sernovitz v. Dershaw, 127 A.3d 783 (Pa. 2015).
Sernovitz v. Dershaw, 127 A.3d 783 (Pa. 2015). “See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 8933, 8306, 8305. 11 Invalidating all of these provisions retroactive to 1988 would be unduly disruptive to the orderly administration of justice in Pennsylvania.”
Brown v. Cappelli (E.D. Pa. 2020). “in light of 42 Pa. C.S. § 8933(a) which was declaratory relief unavailable under the review of Judge Richard Cappelli because of his general review of the matter”).”
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8933(a): 1 case
Brown v. Cappelli (E.D. Pa. 2020). “in light of 42 Pa. C.S. § 8933(a) which was declaratory relief unavailable under the review of Judge Richard Cappelli because of his general review of the matter”).”
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