As amended through January 1, 2018
Rule 1902 - Protection From Abuse (23 Pa.C.S.A. 6101): Enforcementa. When an arrest is made for violation of an order, a complaint for indirect criminal contempt shall be completed and signed by either a police officer or the plaintiff and filed with the Prothonotary. When the complaint is filed by a police officer, neither the plaintiff's presence nor signature is required.b. When an arrest is not effected, a complaint for indirect criminal contempt may be completed and signed by the plaintiff pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A.§ 6113.1.c. Defendants arrested for violation of an order shall be brought before the Court at the first business hour following the arrest. If the Court is unavailable, the defendant shall be taken to the District Justice for preliminary arraignment and instruction on rights and procedure. The defendant shall be given the right to post bail which may be subject to conditions such as eviction or abstaining from all contact with the plaintiff. d. In the event of an arrest, the complaining party shall be present at the time the defendant is brought before the Court.e. Defendants are entitled to be represented by an attorney at the contempt proceeding, and if a defendant qualifies by reason of indigency, an attorney will be appointed to represent him or her. The Magisterial District Judge will, upon request, provide a defendant with an application for Court-appointed counsel.f. Immediately upon the arrest and detention of a defendant for a violation of an order, or at the first opportunity thereafter, the arresting authority and/or the authorities at the detention center shall be responsible for notifying the Court Administrator, the defendant's attorney, or the Public Defender's Office if the defendant does not have an attorney.g. In any case, the plaintiff may proceed by petition and rule to show cause why the defendant should not be found in civil contempt for violation of any provision of an order. Upon the presentation of a petition, the Court Administrator shall schedule a hearing date.