Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6303 (2026)

Rights and liabilities of minors.

✓ current as of May 2026

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§ 6303. Rights and liabilities of minors.

(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), any person over the age of 16 years charged with the violation of any provisions of this title constituting a summary offense shall have all the rights of an adult and may be prosecuted under the provisions of this title in the same manner as an adult.

(b) Exception.--No person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment for a violation of any provisions of this title constituting a summary offense committed while the person was under the age of 18 years.

(Nov. 29, 2004, P.L.1369, No.177, eff. imd.)

Cross References. Section 6303 is referred to in section 6322 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 16 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1981–2024 · leading case: Matter of Huff, 582 A.2d 1093 (Pa. 1991).

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Matter of Huff, 582 A.2d 1093 (Pa. 1991). · cites it 6× “" 75 Pa.Cons.Stat.Ann. § 6303 (Purdon 1977).”

Commonwealth v. Bursick, 584 A.2d 291 (Pa. 1990). · cites it 4× “Nevertheless, relying upon Section 6303 of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § 6303, appellant argues that a person under sixteen years of age cannot be convicted by a magistrate for a summary offense.”

Alexander v. Commonwealth, Dep't of Transp., Bureau of Driver Licensing, 885 A.2d 651 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2005). · cites it 4× “75 Pa. C.S § 6303 (relating to rights and liabilities of minors) is applicable in the current case.”

Commonwealth v. Johnson, 669 A.2d 315 (Pa. 1995). “— Except as provided in 75 Pa.C.S. § 6303 ... if it appears to the court in a criminal proceeding other than murder, that the defendant is a child, this chapter shall immediately become applicable, and the court shall forthwith halt further criminal proceedings, and, where…”

In the Interest of Smith, 579 A.2d 889 (Pa. 1990). “§§ 6302-6303, 6355 (1982); Vehicle Code 75 Pa.C.S. § 6303 (1977). Nor may post-trial proceedings be introduced by reason of local rules as the authority to impose local rules must flow from the Juvenile Act, which does not grant such authority, or pursuant to Rule 1(b) of the…”

Commonwealth v. Clay, 546 A.2d 101 (Pa. 1988). “§§ 6302-6303, 6355 (1982); Vehicle Code 75 Pa.C.S. § 6303 (1977). Nor may post-trial proceedings be introduced by reason of local rules as the authority to impose local rules must flow from the Juvenile Act, which does not grant such authority, or pursuant to Rule 1(b) of the…”

Commonwealth v. Kirk J., 439 A.2d 680 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1981). “Section 6322 states: Except as provided in 75 Pa.C.S. § 6303 (relating to rights and liabilities of minors), if it appears to the court in a criminal proceeding other than murder, that the defendant is a child, this chapter shall immediately become applicable, and the court…”

Commonwealth v. Reilly, 545 A.2d 1000 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1988). “His appeal to the civil division of common pleas court was transferred to the juvenile division because of Section 6303 of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa. C. S. §6303, which provides that anyone over 16 years of age shall have the same rights as an adult and may be prosecuted as an…”

In the Interest of C.G., 630 A.2d 1266 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1993). “§§ 6302-6303, 6355 (1982); Vehicle Code 75 Pa.C.S. § 6303 (1977). Nor may post-trial proceedings be introduced by reason of local rules as the authority to impose local rules must flow from the Juvenile Act, which does not grant such authority, or pursuant to Rule 1(b) of the…”

Commonwealth v. Harvin, 581 A.2d 929 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1990). “§ 6322(a) provides: Except as provided in 75 Pa.C.S. § 6303 (relating to rights and liabilities of minors) or in the event the child is charged with murder or has been found guilty in a criminal proceeding, if it appears to the court in a criminal proceeding that the defendant…”

In Re: Order Adopting New Rule 705.1, Amending Rules 454, 462, & 1010, & Approving the Revision of the Comments to Rules 409, 414, 424, 455, 550, 590, & 704 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Crim. Procedure (Pa. 2016). · cites it 5× “§§ 6302 and 6303 and 75 Pa.C.S. § 6303(b). See Rule 454(F) for the information that must be included in the sentencing order when restitution is included in the sentence.”

In Re: Order Amending Rules 408, 413, 423, 452, 455, & 1031 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Crim. Procedure (Pa. 2016). “§§ 6302 and 6303 and 75 Pa.C.S. § 6303(b). Paragraph (D) provides notice to the defendant of conviction and sentence after trial in absentia to alert the defendant that the time for filing an appeal has begun to run.”

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— 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6303(b) — 4 cases

Alexander v. Commonwealth, Dep't of Transp., Bureau of Driver Licensing, 885 A.2d 651 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2005). “75 Pa. C.S § 6303 (relating to rights and liabilities of minors) is applicable in the current case.”

In Re: Order Adopting New Rule 705.1, Amending Rules 454, 462, & 1010, & Approving the Revision of the Comments to Rules 409, 414, 424, 455, 550, 590, & 704 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Crim. Procedure (Pa. 2016). “§§ 6302 and 6303 and 75 Pa.C.S. § 6303(b). See Rule 454(F) for the information that must be included in the sentencing order when restitution is included in the sentence.”

Order Adopting New Rule 490.1 & Revising the Comments of Rules 430, 455 & 456 of PA Rules of Crim. Procedure (Pa. 2018).

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