VERSION 4
                                                      Informational 4.19
                                                            May 17, 2001
                                                             Page 1 of 1


                      ATTENTION DISTRICT JUSTICES:  
                  PROCEDURES FOR TRIAL IN SUMMARY CASES

This laser fax is being sent as a reminder to all district justices 
that, pursuant to Rule 454(D) of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal 
Procedure, the verdict and sentence, if any, in a summary criminal 
matter, are to be announced in open court immediately upon the 
conclusion of the summary trial.  Unlike civil cases, in summary 
criminal matters district justices do not have the authority to delay
imposing sentence once the trial is concluded.  

For civil cases, Rule 322 of the Rules of Civil Procedure for District 
Justices provides that judgment in a civil case shall be given at the 
conclusion of the hearing or within five (5) days thereafter.