Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee

The Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee advises the Supreme Court on matters relating to the procedural rules governing actions for juvenile delinquency and dependency courts. 

The primary goal of the committee is to simplify juvenile delinquency and dependency law practice by recommending new rules or amendments to existing procedural rules. The committee reviews legislation and monitors court decisions to ensure that the rules conform to developments in the law as well as to the realities of juvenile law practice. The committee strives to promote statewide uniformity of practice, to streamline procedures and to encourage the prompt disposition of juvenile matters.

Committee members and staff speak at conferences and seminars to inform judges, attorneys, court administrators and personnel, probation officers, caseworkers and others of recent and proposed changes in the procedural rules related to juvenile matters. The committee strives to maintain open channels of communication with those who work with or are affected by the rules it proposes.

The Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Project originated in 1998 as an initiative to analyze national standards, case law and local practices to respond to changes in the purpose of the Juvenile Act. Based on the analysis and reports from the project, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania established the Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee on January 22, 2001.

Committee appointments are typically for six-year terms. In special circumstances the Supreme Court may extend or reduce the term of an appointment. Committee members are appointed by the Supreme Court and are knowledgeable about the Pennsylvania Rules of Juvenile Court procedure and experienced in juvenile law practice in the Commonwealth, including dependency and delinquency matters. There are also three ex-officio members who are administrators for various juvenile court-related organizations and are identified for membership by those organizations.