2012 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
Title 42 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
Chapter 15 - Magisterial District Judges
Section 1523 - Parental or legal guardian attendance required at juvenile hearings

§ 1523.  Parental or legal guardian attendance required at juvenile hearings.

(a)  Order to attend.--In summary proceedings before a magisterial district judge or judge of the minor judiciary involving any individual who is under 18 years of age and is not emancipated, the magisterial district judge or judge of the minor judiciary may, when the magisterial district judge or judge of the minor judiciary determines that it is in the best interest of the child, issue an order specifically requiring the parent or legal guardian or other person with whom the child resides, if other than the parent or guardian, to be present and ready to participate in the proceedings with the juvenile. No later than ten days before such proceedings, the magisterial district judge or judge of the minor judiciary shall send a notice of the order to the parent or legal guardian or person with whom the child resides if other than the parent or guardian. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to vest in either the individual who is under 18 years of age and is not emancipated to require participation under this subsection or the parent, legal guardian or other person with whom such individual resides the right to participate under this subsection.

(b)  Contempt.--A person failing to comply with an order of participation may be found in contempt of court as outlined in section 4137 (relating to contempt powers of magisterial district judges).

(c)  Bench warrant.--The magisterial district judge or judge of the minor judiciary shall issue a bench warrant for any parent, guardian or person with whom the child resides, if other than the parent or guardian, who fails to appear at any proceedings. The magisterial district judge or judge of the minor judiciary may waive any fine or other punishment if the person is found to be present and ready to participate in the proceedings with the juvenile after a bench warrant is issued.

(Nov. 17, 1995, 1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1127, No.33, eff. 120 days; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days)

2004 Amendment.  See sections 28 and 29 of Act 207 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to applicability and construction of law.