234 Pa. Code Rule 505 – Complaints: Joinder of Offenses and Defendants.

(A) When more than one person is alleged to have participated in the commission of an offense, the issuing authority shall accept a complaint for each person charged. Each complaint shall contain the names of all persons alleged to have participated in the commission of the offense and shall contain a reference to the docket number of the complaints issued for the other alleged participants. Such complaints may be consolidated for hearing or such further action as may be required, and where complaints are consolidated, additional costs shall not be taxed as a result of the acceptance of separate complaints.
(B) When more than one offense is alleged to have been committed by one person arising from the same incident, the issuing authority shall accept only one complaint, and shall docket the matter as a single case.
(C) Upon application by any interested person and proof that any provision of paragraphs (A) or (B) was violated, a judge may order forfeiture of all additional costs of the issuing authority accrued by reason of such violation, and thereafter such costs shall not be taxed in the case.
Comment
For criteria as to cases in which joinder is required prior to trial, see Commonwealth v. Campana, 304 A.2d 432 (Pa. 1973).
Official Note
Original Rule 103, adopted June 30, 1964, effective January 1, 1965, suspended January 31, 1970, effective May 1, 1970. New Rule 103 adopted January 31, 1970, effective May 1, 1970; renumbered Rule 131 and amended September 18, 1973, effective January 1, 1974; renumbered Rule 105 and amended August 9, 1994, effective January 1, 1995; renumbered Rule 505 and amended March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001.
Committee Explanatory Reports:
Report explaining the August 9, 1994 amendments published at 22 Pa.B. 6 (January 4, 1992); Final Report published with the Court’s Order at 24 Pa.B. 4342 (August 27, 1994).
Final Report explaining the March 1, 2000 reorganization and renumbering of the rules published with the Court’s Order at 30 Pa.B. 1478 (March 18, 2000).