42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 35

in effect

42 Pa.C.S. § 3501 Definitions.

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this part which are applicable to specific provisions of this part, the following words and phrases when used in this part shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section: "Appropriated through the budget of the Judicial Department to a political subdivision." An appropriation through the budget of the Judicial Department direct from the General Fund to the treasury of a political subdivision under circumstances where the manner of the expenditure of the appropriation is within the control of officers of the political subdivision. "Appropriated to the unified judicial system." An appropriation to the Judicial Department other than one appropriated through the budget of the Judicial Department to a political subdivision. "Budget respondent." The courts, magisterial district judges, other agencies or units of the unified judicial system, the Director of Finance of the City of Philadelphia, the county controllers or county auditors of other counties of this Commonwealth, the Treasurer of the City of Pittsburgh, and any other government unit from which the Administrative Office is authorized to obtain information relating to the budget of the Judicial Department. "Judicial and related functions." All functions relating to the organization and operation of courts and magisterial district judges and all offices of system and related personnel. The term does not include any function relating to the detection of crime, the apprehension of persons suspected of criminal conduct (except in connection with the enforcement of bench warrants, injunctions or other judicial orders in specific matters), the maintenance of public peace or other police functions or penal and correctional functions. (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days; Oct. 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, eff. 60 days; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days) 2004 Amendment. Act 207 amended the defs. of "budget respondent" and "judicial and related functions." See section 29 of Act 207 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to construction of law.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3502 Financial regulations.

(a) General rule.--The governing authority may promulgate regulations relating to forms and accounting methods to be utilized in connection with funds appropriated to the unified judicial system and all fees, costs, grants, moneys paid into court and all other unappropriated funds handled by system and related personnel other than county staff, defining for such accounting purposes terms not otherwise defined in this title, specifying the time and manner of making remittances and disbursements of moneys by system and related personnel other than county staff, and fixing bonding requirements of system and related personnel other than county staff. (b) County staff.--The Department of Community Affairs, with the approval of the governing authority, may promulgate regulations relating to forms and accounting methods to be utilized in connection with the judicial and related accounts to be maintained pursuant to this part, designating the county staff who shall establish and maintain the judicial and related account of the political subdivision, defining for accounting purposes terms not otherwise defined, used in this part in connection with judicial and related accounts, specifying the time and manner of making remittances and disbursements of moneys under this part by county staff and fixing bonding requirements of county staff handling moneys which are subject to this part. As used in this subsection the term "county staff" includes personnel, except judicial officers, of the City of Pittsburgh. (c) Payment through financial intermediary.--Regulations prescribed or promulgated pursuant to this section may: (1) Authorize payment of fines, costs, fees and other remittances through or by a credit card issuer or other financial intermediary. (2) Authorize the Administrative Office to enter into contracts with credit card issuers and other financial intermediaries relating to the collection, transmission and payment of such remittances. (3) Adjust the level of fines, costs, fees and other remittances as otherwise fixed by law so as to facilitate the transmission of remittances through or by a financial intermediary pursuant to such regulations without net cost to any government unit. (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days) 1978 Amendment. Act 53 amended subsec. (b) and added subsec. (c). References in Text. The Department of Community Affairs, referred to in subsec. (b), was abolished by Act 58 of 1996 and its functions were transferred to the Department of Community and Economic Development. Cross References. Section 3502 is referred to in section 3503 of this title; section 930 of Title 30 (Fish); section 931 of Title 34 (Game).

42 Pa.C.S. § 3503 Penalties.

Any person who fails to remit any fines, penalties, forfeitures, fees, cash or other moneys received by him within the time and in the manner specified by regulations promulgated pursuant to section 3502 (relating to financial regulations) or any person who willfully violates any such regulations commits a misdemeanor of the third degree.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3521 Development of budget information.

(a) General rule.--The Administrative Office shall annually obtain and prepare information for the preparation of a budget for the Judicial Department within such time as to comply with the requirements of section 610 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as "The Administrative Code of 1929." The Administrative Office shall distribute to each budget respondent the proper blanks necessary for the preparation of the budget estimates, with a request that such blanks be returned with the information desired, not later than a date specified by the Administrative Office. Such blanks shall be in such form as shall be prescribed by the Administrative Office to procure, as to functions to be funded in whole or in part through appropriations through the budget of the Judicial Department, any or all information pertaining to the purposes of all programs to be funded in the budget, the revenues, expenditures, program activities and accomplishments for the preceding fiscal year, for the current fiscal year and for the budget year and for four succeeding years, the appropriations made for the preceding fiscal year, the expenditures therefrom, encumbrances thereon, the amount unencumbered and unexpended, an itemized estimate of the revenues and expenditures of the current fiscal year, for the budget year and succeeding years, and an estimate of the revenues and amounts needed and program activity and accomplishment levels for such functions. Such blanks shall also request the budget respondent to accompany them with a statement in writing, giving the facts, and an explanation of the methods and reasons for arriving at the estimates of receipts and expenditures for the budget year and for four succeeding years. (b) Duty to respond.--It shall be the duty of each budget respondent to comply, not later than the date specified by the Administrative Office, with any and all requests made by the Administrative Office in connection with the budget. (c) Additional information.--The Administrative Office may, under the direction of the governing authority, make further inquiries and investigations as to the financial needs, expenditures, estimates, or revenues, of any recipient of funds appropriated to the unified judicial system or through the budget of the Judicial Department to a political subdivision, including such information relating to judicial and related functions as the Administrative Office may specify. (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days; Oct. 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, eff. 60 days) 1980 Amendment. Act 142 amended subsec. (a). Cross References. Section 3521 is referred to in sections 3522, 3523 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3522 Preparation of tentative budget request.

(a) General rule.--The Administrative Office shall collate and examine all information received pursuant to section 3521(a) (relating to development of budget information), shall consult with the governing authority and the Office of the Budget, and shall prepare and submit to the governing authority for review and approval a tentative budget request for the Judicial Department covering all funds appropriated to the unified judicial system or through the budget of the Judicial Department to a political subdivision. (b) Revision of information.--The tentative budget request submitted by the Administrative Office may increase or decrease any amount submitted pursuant to section 3521(a). In such case the amount of such increase or decrease and the reasons therefor shall be specified in detail in a written report of the Administrative Office which shall be presented to the governing authority with the tentative budget and which shall be furnished to each affected budget respondent. (Oct. 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, eff. 60 days) 1980 Amendment. Act 142 amended subsec. (a). Cross References. Section 3522 is referred to in sections 1727, 3523 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3523 Adoption of final budget request.

(a) General rule.--The governing authority shall review the tentative budget request submitted by the Administrative Office pursuant to section 3522 (relating to preparation of tentative budget request). After giving opportunity for hearing to each budget respondent whose estimate submitted pursuant to section 3521(a) (relating to development of budget information) would be altered by the final budget request of the Judicial Department, the governing authority shall make such modifications in the tentative budget request of the Judicial Department as in its judgment are necessary or desirable, and shall adopt a final budget request of the Judicial Department for transmission to the Office of the Budget. (b) Transmission to Office of the Budget.--Following adoption of a final budget request by the governing authority, the Administrative Office shall transmit such request to the Office of the Budget within the time and in the manner required by section 610 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as "The Administrative Code of 1929." (Oct. 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, eff. 60 days)

42 Pa.C.S. § 3524 Form of Judicial Department appropriation.

The budget request of the Judicial Department shall be prepared in a manner comparable to the request of an administrative department.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3525 List of employees to be furnished.

(a) General rule.--The Administrative Office shall, on July 15 of each year, transmit to the Department of the Auditor General, the Treasury Department, and the Office of the Budget a complete list, and to the Legislative Data Processing Center a computer tape of such list, as of July 1 preceding, of the names of all persons, except day-laborers, entitled to receive compensation directly from the Commonwealth from funds appropriated to the unified judicial system. Such list shall show the position occupied by each such person, the date of birth and voting residence of such person, the salary at which or other basis upon which such person is entitled to be paid, the date when such person entered the service of the Commonwealth, whether such person has been continuously employed by the Commonwealth since that date, and all periods of service and positions held as an employee of the Commonwealth, or such part of such information as the Governor may prescribe. (b) Interim changes.--Each month thereafter, the Administrative Office shall certify to the Department of the Auditor General, the Treasury Department, and the Office of the Budget any changes in the annual list of employees last transmitted to them which shall have occurred during the preceding month. (c) Public information.--The information received by the Department of the Auditor General, the Treasury Department, and the Office of the Budget under this section shall be public information. (Oct. 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, eff. 60 days)

42 Pa.C.S. § 3526 Release of funds.

(a) General rule.--Each recipient of funds appropriated to the unified judicial system shall, from time to time, as requested by the Administrative Office, prepare and submit to the Administrative Office, for approval or disapproval by the governing authority, an estimate of the amount of money required and the levels of activity and accomplishment for each program carried on by such recipient during the ensuing month, quarter, or such other period as the governing authority shall prescribe. All available Federal funds and funds from other sources shall be characterized as such and shall be included in the estimated expenditures which must be submitted to the Administrative Office before any expenditures therefrom may be made. If such estimate does not meet with the approval of the governing authority, it shall be revised in accordance with the directions of the governing authority and resubmitted for approval. The governing authority may establish an authorized personnel complement level in conjunction with the approved expenditure estimate. (b) Observance of approved estimate.--After the approval of any such estimate, it shall be unlawful for the recipient of funds appropriated to the unified judicial system to expend any appropriation, Federal funds or funds from other sources, or part thereof, except in accordance with such estimate and the authorized complement level, unless the same be revised with the approval of the governing authority and within the limits appropriated by the General Assembly. (c) Penalty.--If any recipient to which subsections (a) and (b) apply shall fail or refuse to submit to the Administrative Office estimates of expenditures as required by this section, the governing authority may order the Administrative Office to withhold disbursement of any funds appropriated to the unified judicial system for such recipient, and thereupon the Administrative Office shall withhold disbursement of any such funds until further order of the governing authority. (Oct. 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, eff. 60 days) 1980 Amendment. Act 142 amended subsecs. (a) and (b).

42 Pa.C.S. § 3527 Estimates of current expenditures by Administrative Office.

The Administrative Office shall, from time to time, as requested by the Governor, prepare and submit to the Governor estimates of the amounts of money required for each activity or function to be carried on by the unified judicial system during the ensuing month, quarter, or such other period as the Governor shall prescribe.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3528 Fiscal period.

All books and accounts kept by the Administrative Office and other personnel of the system shall be kept as of the fiscal year or period established by section 617 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as "The Administrative Code of 1929." (Oct. 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, eff. 60 days)

42 Pa.C.S. § 3529 Audits of affairs of unified judicial system.

(a) General rule.--It shall be the duty of the judicial auditing agency to retain a certified public accountant to make all audits of transactions after their occurrence which may be necessary in connection with the administration of the financial affairs of the unified judicial system or of any functions of a political subdivision funded in whole or in part through the budget of the Judicial Department. At least one such audit shall be made each year and special audits may be made whenever they appear necessary in the judgment of the judicial auditing agency. (b) Governmental audits.--Where the transactions specified in subsection (a) are audited by the Department of the Auditor General or by an official of a political subdivision charged with auditing responsibility, the judicial auditing agency shall accept a report thereof in lieu of the audit required by subsection (a) unless in the judgment of the judicial auditing agency the circumstances warrant an additional audit by a certified public accountant retained by the auditing agency. (c) Scope.--Subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to fees, costs, grants, moneys paid into court and all other unappropriated funds handled by system and related personnel and to all funds appropriated to the Judicial Department. (d) Definition.--As used in this section the term "judicial auditing agency" means a body established or designated by the governing authority as the judicial auditing agency for the purposes of this section. The judicial auditing agency shall include: (1) A judge of the Superior Court selected by the Superior Court. (2) A judge of the Commonwealth Court selected by the Commonwealth Court. (3) The President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. (4) The President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County. Cross References. Section 3529 is referred to in section 1721 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3530 Preparation of requisitions.

The Administrative Office shall prepare, or cause to be prepared by an officer of the interested government unit designated by the Administrative Office, requisitions for moneys appropriated to the unified judicial system or appropriated through the budget of the Judicial Department to a political subdivision, and shall present such requisitions to the Treasury Department pursuant to section 1501 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as "The Fiscal Code."

42 Pa.C.S. § 3531 Budget implementation data.

The Court Administrator of Pennsylvania shall make monthly expenditure data available to the Majority or Minority Chairmen of the Appropriations Committees of the Senate or the House of Representatives. Monthly data shall be provided within 15 days after the end of each month. The monthly data shall be prepared in such a way that the last monthly submission is a summary inclusive of the preceding months of the fiscal year and shall be usable to establish a history of expenditure file. This data, at the discretion of the Majority or Minority Chairmen of the Appropriations Committees of the Senate or the House of Representatives, may be provided either in finished reports or on computer tapes. The data shall be provided by fund, by appropriation, by department and by organization within each department and shall include: (1) Number of filled personnel positions and their cost. (2) Itemized personnel vacancies and their cost. (3) New positions created and their cost. (4) Wage and overtime costs. (5) Allotments and expenditures for itemized personnel expenses. (6) Allotments and expenditures for itemized operating expenses. (7) Allotments and expenditures for itemized fixed assets. In addition to the above specified budgetary data, the Court Administrator shall make available any other budgetary data as may be requested from time to time by the Majority or Minority Chairmen of the Appropriations Committees of the Senate or the House of Representatives. (June 26, 1980, P.L.266, No.78, eff. imd.) 1980 Amendment. Act 78 added section 3531. Cross References. Section 3531 is referred to in section 1905 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3532 Expenses.

The Office of the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania shall pay the annual registration fee of $400 to the Special Court Judges of Pennsylvania Association for each magisterial district judge, Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge and Philadelphia Traffic Court Judge position authorized as of January 31 of each year. Payment shall be made on the first day of a new fiscal year including July 1, 1988. In addition the Office of the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania shall pay the annual cost for the publishing of a monthly journal containing the update and revision of laws and State Supreme Court rule changes. Except for the funding of the publication of the monthly journal which shall be a direct cost of the Office of the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania, all other funding for the other expenses set forth in this section shall come from the annual appropriation made for magisterial district judges education. (Apr. 5, 1982, P.L.226, No.72, eff. July 1, 1982; June 15, 1982, P.L.512, No.141, eff. 60 days; June 30, 1988, P.L.464, No.79, eff. imd.; June 18, 1998, P.L.640, No.84, eff. July 1, 1998; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days; Feb. 4, 2026, P.L.1, No.1, eff. imd.) 2026 Amendment. Section 4 of Act 1 provided that the amendment or addition of sections 3532 and 3733(a)(3) shall apply retroactively to July 1, 2025. 2004 Amendment. See section 29 of Act 207 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to construction of law. References in Text. The Traffic Court of Philadelphia, referred to in this section, was abolished by Joint Resolution No.2 of 2016.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3541 Judicial and related account.

The City and County of Philadelphia, each other county of this Commonwealth, and the City of Pittsburgh shall establish and maintain on their respective books an account to be known as the judicial and related account. The account shall exist for accounting purposes only and nothing in this part shall require the actual segregation of the moneys of the account from the general funds of the political subdivision. (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days) Cross References. Section 3541 is referred to in section 102 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3542 Receipts.

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided by Subchapter E (relating to fines, etc.), there shall be paid to the respective political subdivisions required by this subchapter to maintain a judicial and related account all: (1) Fees established under section 1725 (relating to establishment of fees and charges) to which a government agency is entitled and which by law have heretofore been paid or credited to such political subdivision. (2) Costs which the political subdivision is entitled to receive pursuant to general rules prescribed under section 1726 (relating to establishment of taxable costs). (3) Fines and forfeitures as provided in Subchapter E. (4) Other amounts required by statute to be paid to a political subdivision with respect to judicial and related functions. (b) Allocation in multicounty districts.--In judicial districts embracing two or more counties the fines, forfeitures, fees and costs collected with respect to the court of common pleas or community court of the judicial district which cannot be identified with respect to a particular county shall be paid over to each county according to an allocation based on population in the ratio which the population of each of the several counties comprising the judicial district bears to the total population of the judicial district as last officially certified. (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days) 1978 Amendment. Act 53 added present section 3542 and repealed former section 3542 relating to the same subject matter. Cross References. Section 3542 is referred to in sections 3543, 3544 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3543 Credits to account.

Each political subdivision required by this subchapter to maintain a judicial and related account shall credit to such account: (1) Contributions and payments by the Federal Government for the maintenance of judicial and related functions of the political subdivision. (2) Appropriations by the General Assembly to the political subdivision for the maintenance of judicial and related functions of the political subdivision. (3) Amounts received pursuant to section 3542 (relating to receipts). (4) Income and receipts with respect to the operation of probation facilities and services maintained by the political subdivision. (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days) Cross References. Section 3543 is referred to in section 3545 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3544 Disbursements.

(a) General rule.--There shall be paid by the respective political subdivisions required by this subchapter to maintain a judicial and related account: (1) Salaries, fees and expenses of: (i) Appointive judicial officers. (ii) Other system and related personnel which by statute are required to be paid by the political subdivision. (2) Salaries, fees and expenses of jurors, witnesses and all other persons paid under authority of law by the political subdivision for the maintenance of judicial and related functions. (3) Any amounts required by statute to be paid to the Commonwealth from any of the sources of income specified in section 3542 (relating to receipts). (b) Allocation in multicounty districts.--In judicial districts embracing two or more counties, the expenses of the court of common pleas and the community court of the judicial district, and the salary, fees and expenses of the staff of such courts, except county staff, shall be paid by each county according to an allocation based on population in the ratio which the population of each of the several counties comprising the judicial district bears to the total population of the judicial district as last officially certified. (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days) 1978 Amendment. Act 53 amended subsec. (a). Cross References. Section 3544 is referred to in section 3545 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3545 Debits to account.

(a) General rule.--Each political subdivision required by this subchapter to maintain a judicial and related account shall debit to such account: (1) Amounts paid pursuant to section 3544 (relating to disbursements). (2) Any amounts required by statute to be paid from any of the sources of income specified in section 3543 (relating to credits to account). (b) Accommodations.--Expenses under this section include the costs of leased accommodations and the fair rental value of accommodations provided in facilities owned by the political subdivision.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3546 Relief from liability for loss of property if expenses not paid.

Any officer enforcing orders of a tribunal shall be relieved from any liability for the loss, destruction, removal of or damage to any personal property, or for any injury to any real property, levied upon, seized or taken into possession by virtue of any process if the person lodging such process with him shall refuse to advance or secure upon demand the reasonable fees and expenses incident to the seizure, safe keeping and proper protection of such property.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3547 Restriction on compelling local action.

A general rule, express order or other order in the nature of a regulation adopted by the governing authority or any other agency or unit of the system which relates to system and related personnel, the salaries, fees or expenses of which are required by statute to be paid by a political subdivision, shall not be effective as to such political subdivision unless the governing body of the political subdivision agrees thereto or is specifically required by statute to take the action to which the general rule, express order or other order relates. (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days) 1978 Amendment. Act 53 added section 3547.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3561 Money paid into court.

All money paid into court shall be held in the custody of such officer, shall be invested in such manner, and shall be withdrawn from deposit, as shall be prescribed by general rules. Any such investment, except as otherwise prescribed by or pursuant to general rules, shall be restricted to obligations of the United States or the United States Treasury, or of the Commonwealth. (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days)

42 Pa.C.S. § 3571 Commonwealth portion of fines, etc.

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Commonwealth shall be entitled to receive all fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited, fees and costs which by law have heretofore been paid or credited to, or which by statute are payable or creditable to, the Commonwealth. Fees and charges in an appellate court fixed pursuant to section 1725 (relating to establishment of fees and charges) shall be paid into the State Treasury. Unless otherwise expressly provided by the General Appropriation Act, such fees and charges shall be credited to the appropriation of the appellate court in which they were received. (b) Vehicle offenses.-- (1) All fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited in connection with matters arising under Chapter 77 of Title 75 (relating to snowmobiles) shall unless otherwise provided in Chapter 77 of Title 75 be payable to the Commonwealth. (2) Except as provided in paragraphs (4) and (5), when prosecution under any other provision of Title 75 (relating to vehicles) is the result of State Police action, all of the following apply: (i) All fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited shall be payable to the Commonwealth, for credit to the Motor License Fund. One-half of the revenue shall be paid to municipalities as designated in subparagraph (ii) in the same ratio provided in section 4 of the act of June 1, 1956 (1955 P.L.1944, No.655), referred to as the Liquid Fuels Tax Municipal Allocation Law. (ii) Distribution of revenue is as follows: (A) Only a municipality that has a population of not more than 3,000 or that provides at least 40 hours per week of local police services through a municipal police department, participation in a regional police department or contracts with other municipal or regional police for police services may receive revenue under subparagraph (i). (B) Revenue that is not paid to municipalities under clause (A) shall be transferred to the Pennsylvania State Police for cadet classes. (3) Except as provided in section 3573 (relating to municipal corporation portion of fines, etc.), when prosecution under any other provision of Title 75 is the result of local police action, one-half of all fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited shall be payable to the Commonwealth, for credit to the Motor License Fund. (4) When prosecution under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 (relating to driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance) is the result of State Police action, 50% of all fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited shall be payable to the Commonwealth, for credit to the Motor License Fund, and 50% shall be payable to the county which shall be further divided as follows: (i) Fifty percent of the moneys received shall be allocated to the appropriate county authority which implements the county drug and alcohol program to be used solely for the purposes of aiding programs promoting drug abuse and alcoholism prevention, education, treatment and research. (ii) Fifty percent of the moneys received shall be used for expenditures incurred for county jails, prisons, workhouses and detention centers. (5) When prosecution under any other provision of Title 75 is the result of State Police action on an interstate highway, as defined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions), all fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited shall be payable to the Commonwealth for credit to the Motor License Fund. (c) Costs in magisterial district judge proceedings.-- (1) Costs collected by a magisterial district judge shall be transmitted monthly to the Commonwealth in amounts as prescribed in subsection (b) and the balance shall be transmitted monthly to the county in which the magisterial district is located. Costs transmitted to the Commonwealth shall be credited to the General Fund. Costs transmitted to the county shall be retained by the county for its use. (2) Amounts payable to the Commonwealth: (i) Summary conviction, except motor vehicle cases............................. $10.00 (ii) Summary conviction, motor vehicle cases other than subparagraph (iii)...... $10.00 (iii) Summary conviction, motor vehicle cases, hearing demanded.......... $10.00 $13.00 (iv) Misdemeanor..................... $20.00 (v) Felony........................... (vi) Assumpsit or trespass involving: $12.50 (A) $500 or less................. (B) More than $500 but not more than $2,000........................... $20.00 (C) More than $2,000 but not more than $4,000........................... $30.00 (D) More than $4,000 but not more than $12,000.......................... $50.00 (vii) Landlord-tenant proceeding involving: $20.00 (A) $2,000 or less............... (B) More than $2,000 but not more than $4,000........................... $25.00 (C) More than $4,000 but not more than $12,000.......................... $35.00 $5.00 (viii) Objection to levy............ $15.00 (ix) Order of execution............. (x) Issuing a search warrant (except as provided in section 1725.1(d) (relating to costs))................................ $7.00 $15.00 (xi) Order of possession............ (3) In all cases where costs are borne by the county pursuant to section 1725.2 (relating to assumption of summary conviction costs by county), no share of such costs shall be payable to the Commonwealth. (4) Except as provided in paragraph (5), beginning on January 1, 1994, and each January 1 thereafter, the costs under paragraph (2) shall be increased by the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Workers for the immediate preceding calendar year which shall be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin annually by the Supreme Court on or before the preceding November 30. This paragraph shall expire January 1, 2025. (5) For the cost increase to be effective for calendar year 2002 only, the costs under paragraph (2) shall be increased by the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Workers for calendar year 2000 which shall be published by the Supreme Court in the Pennsylvania Bulletin as soon as possible after enactment. The increase for calendar year 2002 only shall be effective one month after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. (d) Victims compensation fund.--Where any person pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is convicted of any crime as defined in section 477 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as "The Administrative Code of 1929," $10 at least of the cost imposed except costs borne by a political subdivision shall be paid into the General Fund. (e) Other offenses.--Fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited under the following provisions of law shall be payable to the Commonwealth: 18 Pa.C.S. § 7361 (relating to worldly employment or business). Act of December 1, 1965 (P.L.988, No.368), known as the Weights and Measures Act of 1965, when the proceeding is instituted by an agent or employee of the Department of Agriculture. Act of November 26, 1978 (P.L.1375, No.325), known as the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act. (July 20, 1979, P.L.157, No.52, eff. 60 days; Oct. 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, eff. 60 days; Dec. 15, 1982, P.L.1268, No.289, eff. 30 days; Dec. 18, 1992, P.L.1269, No.167, eff. imd.; July 2, 1993, P.L.395, No.56, eff. 60 days; Dec. 27, 1994, P.L.1337, No.154, eff. 180 days; Dec. 17, 2001, P.L.944, No.113, eff. imd.; Sept. 30, 2003, P.L.120, No.24, eff. Feb. 1, 2004; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days; Oct. 27, 2010, P.L.949, No.96, eff. 60 days; July 7, 2011, P.L.207, No.30, eff. imd.; July 5, 2012, P.L.1080, No.124, eff. 60 days) 2024 Partial Repeal. Section 21(14) of Act 54 provided that subsec. (c)(4) is repealed insofar as it is inconsistent with the addition of section 1781-E(c) and (d) of the act of April 9, 1929, P.L.343, No.176, known as The Fiscal Code. 2024 Expiration. Section 16 of Act 54 added section 1781-E(c) and (d) of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, which provided that subsec. (c)(4) shall expire on January 1, 2040. Amendment . Act 124 amended subsec. (b)(2) and added subsec. (b)(5). Amendment . Act 30 amended subsec. (c)(2)(vi) and (vii). 2010 Amendment. Act 96 reenacted and amended subsec. (c)(4). Section 4(1) of Act 96 provided that the reenactment and amendment of subsec. (c)(4) shall apply to costs imposed on or after the effective date of section 4(1). 2004 Amendment. Act 207 amended subsec. (c) hdg. and (1). See section 29 of Act 207 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to construction of law. 2003 Amendment. Act 24 amended subsec. (b)(4). 2001 Amendment. Act 113 reenacted and amended subsec. (c), retroactive to January 1, 2001. 1994 Amendment. Act 154 amended subsecs. (a), (b) and (e). 1992 Amendment. See sections 5 and 6 of Act 167 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to increases in court costs and revision of official revenue estimate. 1984 Partial Repeal. Section 13 of Act 96 of 1984 provided that section 3571(d) is repealed insofar as it imposes costs in addition to the costs provided for in section 477.15 of the act of April 9, 1929, P.L.177, No.175, known as The Administrative Code of 1929. References in Text. Section 477 of the act of April 9, 1929, P.L.177, No.175, known as The Administrative Code of 1929, referred to in subsec. (d), was repealed by the act of November 24, 1998, P.L.882, No.111, known as the Crime Victims Act. The subject matter is now contained in Act 111. The act of December 1, 1965, P.L.988, No.368, known as the Weights and Measures Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (e), was repealed by the act of December 18, 1996, P.L.1028, No.155. The subject matter is now contained in Chapter 41 of Title 3 (Agriculture). Cross References. Section 3571 is referred to in section 3733 of this title; section 3717 of Title 22 (Detectives and Private Police); section 925 of Title 34 (Game); sections 3116, 3117, 3345.1, 3369, 3370, 3371, 3733, 3807, 4903 of Title 75 (Vehicles).

42 Pa.C.S. § 3572 County portion of fines, etc.

Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, all fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited and fees and costs collected in the court of common pleas, or community court established for a judicial district embracing a county, or in a magisterial district within the county, or in the Philadelphia Municipal Court, shall be payable to such county. (Dec. 27, 1994, P.L.1337, No.154, eff. 180 days) Cross References. Section 3572 is referred to in section 3733 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3573 Municipal corporation portion of fines, etc.

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, all fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited for violation of any ordinance of any municipal corporation, or which under any other statute are to be paid to any specified municipal corporation, shall be payable to such municipal corporation. (b) Vehicle offenses.-- (1) When prosecution under the provisions of Title 75 (relating to vehicles) for parking is the result of local police action, all fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited shall be payable to the municipal corporation under which the local police are organized. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), when prosecution under any other provision of Title 75 (except Chapter 77 (relating to snowmobiles)) is the result of local police action, one-half of all fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited shall be payable to the municipal corporation under which the local police are organized. (3) When prosecution under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 (relating to driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance) is the result of local police action, 50% of all fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited shall be payable to the municipal corporation under which the local police are organized, and 50% shall be payable to the county which shall be further divided as follows: (i) Fifty percent of the moneys received shall be allocated to the appropriate county authority which implements the county drug and alcohol program to be used solely for the purposes of aiding programs promoting drug abuse and alcoholism prevention, education, treatment and research. (ii) Fifty percent of the moneys received shall be used for expenditures incurred for county jails, prisons, workhouses and detention centers. (c) Summary offenses.--Fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited under the following provisions of law shall, when any such offense is committed in a municipal corporation, be payable to such municipal corporation: (1) Under the following provisions of Title 18 (relating to crimes and offenses): Section 2709(a)(1), (2) and (3) (relating to harassment). Section 3304 (relating to criminal mischief). Section 3503 (relating to criminal trespass). Section 3929 (relating to retail theft). Section 4105 (relating to bad checks). Section 5503 (relating to disorderly conduct). Section 5505 (relating to public drunkenness). Ch. 55 Subch. B (relating to cruelty to animals). Section 6308 (relating to purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of intoxicating beverages). Section 6501 (relating to scattering rubbish). (2) Section 13, act of January 24, 1966 (1965 P.L.1535, No.537), known as the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act. (d) Pittsburgh.--Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, all fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited in the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court or the Pittsburgh Traffic Court shall be payable to the City of Pittsburgh. (Oct. 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, eff. 60 days; Dec. 15, 1982, P.L.1268, No.289, eff. 30 days; Dec. 21, 1984, P.L.1210, No.230, eff. 60 days; Dec. 27, 1994, P.L.1337, No.154, eff. 180 days; Dec. 9, 2002, P.L.1759, No.218, eff. 60 days; Sept. 30, 2003, P.L.120, No.24, eff. Feb. 1, 2004; Dec. 30, 2003, P.L.432, No.61, eff. 60 days; June 28, 2017, P.L.215, No.10, eff. 60 days) 2017 Amendment. Act 10 amended subsec. (c)(1). 2003 Amendments. Act 24 amended subsec. (b)(3) and Act 61 amended subsec. (c)(1). Cross References. Section 3573 is referred to in section 3571 of this title; section 3717 of Title 22 (Detectives and Private Police); sections 3116, 3117, 3345.1, 3369, 3370, 3371, 3807, 4903, 7706 of Title 75 (Vehicles).

42 Pa.C.S. § 3574 Fines in the nature of private compensation.

The provisions of this subchapter shall not affect the disposition of fines authorized by law to effect restitution, for support of legal dependents, or otherwise for purposes not augmenting the public revenues.

42 Pa.C.S. § 3575 Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.

(a) Establishment.--There is established within the State Treasury a restricted account to be known as the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account. The account shall be comprised of all of the following: (1) Costs of prosecution imposed pursuant to subsection (b). (2) Fines statutorily designated by subsection (c) to the account. (b) Costs of prosecution.--In addition to any other costs of prosecution, an assessment in the amount of $50 shall be imposed and directed to the account in each judicial proceeding where: (1) the defendant accepts Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition; (2) the defendant is convicted of or enters a plea of guilt or nolo contendere for a felony, misdemeanor of the first degree or misdemeanor of the second degree set forth in 18 Pa.C.S. (relating to crimes and offenses); or (3) the defendant is convicted of or enters a plea of guilt or nolo contendere for a violation of section 13(a)(16) of the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act. (c) Designated offenses.--Any fines imposed for the following offenses under 18 Pa.C.S. shall be directed to the account:

42 Pa.C.S. § 3581 Judicial salaries (Repealed).

1995 Repeal. Section 3581 was repealed October 19, 1995, P.L.324, No.51, effective November 1, 1995.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=42Fetched: 10/16/2026