Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas Filing Rules

All blank lines on each form must be completed.

The distribution list or certificate of service should list or reference the lead attorney and the party represented.

The Certificate of Readiness must be personally signed by the filing counsel of record.

A pre-trial statement must comply with the cited rules and include the listed trial, scheduling, evidentiary, settlement, and mediation-certification information.

The Dauphin County Sheriff must forward a court-issued warrant to the appropriate police agency for service.

The original criminal jury trial Certificate of Readiness must be filed, and a copy must be served on opposing counsel or the self-represented defendant and Court Administration.

A Motion to Make Rule Absolute must include evidence demonstrating compliance with applicable service requirements.

A response to Preliminary Objections must be filed within twenty days after service.

Original-transcript preparation and filing costs do not apply to the Commonwealth, a county or court office, or a subdivision of either.

Backers may be used for copies provided to the court, opposing parties or clients.

For a Rule to Show Cause, the format attached as Exhibit 1 is preferred.

A late continuance motion must be presented in open court before the business court judge or trial judge, with reasonable advance notice to opposing counsel.

The first two uncontested continuance requests must be granted.

A party may request an extension or modification of scheduling or trial deadlines for good cause or by agreement of the parties.

Financial account numbers generally may not appear in a filing, but the last four digits may be used when the active account is the subject of the case and cannot otherwise be identified.

Legal papers may be filed electronically through the Prothonotary's CountySuite Portal beginning on the date set by Administrative Order.

When a judge is assigned, courtesy copies of all pleadings, briefs, or memoranda must also be filed with that judge’s chambers.

A courtesy copy of motions in limine filed with briefs must be served on Judge Dowling’s Chambers.

A courtesy copy of the pretrial statement must be served on Judge McNally's chambers.

An incarcerated party who believes telephone or video participation has not been arranged should contact the Court Administrator’s office at the stated telephone number.

Plaintiff’s attorney must immediately notify Chambers and Court Administration by email if the case settles.

If the assigned judge determines that three-judge panel argument is advisable, the assigned judge and Court Administrator’s Office must make the necessary scheduling arrangements.

Hearings on pretrial motions, including suppression motions, are scheduled immediately before trial unless the motion requests a special hearing date.

Motions in limine will be argued at the pre-trial conference, and the Court will decide them shortly thereafter.

A filing of record may be cited in a later filing but may not be attached to it.