Court of Common Pleas of Forest County, Pennsylvania Filing Fees and Waivers

CRITICALCriminal cases

A defendant permitted to proceed in forma pauperis need not pay costs or fees payable to the Court or Clerk under an Act of Assembly or general rule.

A defendant permitted to proceed in forma pauperis shall not be required to pay any cost or fee imposed or authorized by Act of Assembly or general rule which is payable to the Court or Clerk of Courts.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

A litigant ordering a transcript must pay a deposit equal to 90% of its estimated total cost by check payable to County of Forest or County of Warren, delivered to the District Court Administrator.

(1) The litigant ordering the transcript shall make payment in the amount of 90% of the estimated total cost of the transcript. Deposit checks are to be made payable to County of Forest or County of Warren and shall be delivered to the District Court Administrator.

CRITICALCriminal cases

For a party represented by private counsel, the Clerk must allow in forma pauperis status upon filing a praecipe with the attorney’s required certification.

If the party is represented by an attorney other than the Public Defender or Court Appointed Counsel, the Clerk of Courts shall allow the party to proceed in forma pauperis upon the filing of a praecipe which contains a certification by the attorney that he or she is providing free legal service to the party and believes the party is unable to pay the costs.

CRITICALCivil cases

A specially appointed Court Hearing Officer need not proceed until the court-ordered deposit is paid in full.

Special Court Hearing Officers are not required to proceed until the court ordered deposit is paid in full.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Arbitration appeal

An arbitration appellant must prepay the county's board fees: $200 for an amount in controversy under $5,000, $300 for $5,000 to under $10,000, $400 for $10,000 to under $20,000, and $500 for $20,000 or more; the amount is the award or, if there is no award, the amount demanded in the complaint.

(a) Any party to the proceeding may appeal from the decision or award of the arbitrators to the Court of Common Pleas; upon prepayment to the county of the fees of the members of the board as set forth in the following schedule: (1) If the amount in controversy is less than $5,000 -- $200.00. (2) If the amount in controversy is $5,000 or more but less than $10,000 -- $300.00. (3) If the amount in controversy is $10,000 or more but less than $20,000 -- $400.00. (4) If the amount in controversy is $20,000 or more-- $500.00. For purposes of determining the appeal fee, "amount in controversy" shall be defined as the amount of the award rendered by the Board of Arbitration, or, in cases of no award, the amount demanded in the complaint.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applicable filing fees must be paid through Clerk of Courts procedures at the required time and amount, unless the party has In Forma Pauperis status.

(e) Applicable filing fees shall be paid through procedures established by the Clerk of Courts and at the same time and in the same amount required by statute, court rule or order, or established by a published fee schedule unless a party is granted In Forma Pauperis status.

CRITICALCivil cases

A fee waiver or reduction request must be filed with the Court Hearing Officer at least five days before the seminar and include a verified indigency affidavit or other proof of economic hardship under Pa. R.C.P. No. 240.

Any request for waiver or reduction of the fee shall be filed with the Court Hearing Officer and shall be accompanied by a verified affidavit of indigency or other proof of economic hardship in accordance with Pa. R.C.P. No. 240, at least five days prior to the scheduled seminar.

CRITICALCivil cases

Fee

350

Applies to

Motion for appointment of court hearing officer

The moving party must pay a $350 deposit when filing the appointment motion, and the motion cannot be filed until all required fees are paid to the Prothonotary.

a. A deposit of $350 shall be due from the moving party at the time that a motion for the appointment of the Court Hearing Officer is filed. In the motion the moving party shall certify to the Court that these fees have been paid in full and the Prothonotary shall certify in writing on the face of the motion that the fees have been paid. No motion for the appointment of the Court Hearing Officer shall be filed until all of the fees in this rule have been paid to the Prothonotary.

CRITICALCivil cases

The Clerk may not confirm a matter or decree until all expenses and Auditor’s or Master’s fees have been paid to the Clerk.

No confirmation or decree shall be confirmed by the Clerk until all expenses and Auditor’s or Master’s fees have been paid to the Clerk.

CRITICALCivil cases

The seminar provider determines the fee, which must be paid before attendance.

The fee for the seminar shall be determined by the provider and must be paid prior to attendance.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

The final transcript balance must be paid by check payable to the County of Forest or County of Warren and delivered to the District Court Administrator.

(4) Checks for the final balance are to be made payable to the County of Forest or County of Warren and shall be delivered to the District Court Administrator.

CRITICALCivil cases

Upon confirmation, the Clerk must pay the expenses and the remaining Auditor’s or Master’s fee to the Auditor or Master.

Upon confirmation, the Clerk shall pay all expenses and the balance of the Auditor’s or Master’s fee to the Auditor or Master.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Fee

$100

A $100 cost assessment is imposed in both the Magisterial District Courts and Common Pleas Court unless the court orders otherwise.

AND NOW, this 5thth day of March, 2014, pursuant to Title 18, Section 11.1101, the Court hereby approves the increased assessment of the Crime Victim's Compensation Fund and Victim Witness Services Fund to a total of $100.00, unless otherwise ordered by the court. This cost shall be imposed at both the Magisterial District Courts and the Common Pleas Court of the 37th Judicial District notwithstanding any statutory provision to the contrary.

WARNING

Fee

4.75

Applies to

Transcript

For a daily paper transcript, the initial ordering party other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision may be charged no more than $4.75 per page.

Paper Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript via paper format shall not exceed: (c) For a daily transcript, $4.75 per page

WARNING

Fee

2.5

Applies to

Transcript

For an ordinary transcript delivered electronically, the initial ordering party other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision may be charged no more than $2.50 per page.

Electronic Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript delivered via electronic format shall not exceed: (a) For an ordinary transcript, $2.50 per page

WARNING

Fee

3

Applies to

Transcript

For a transcript in complex litigation delivered electronically, the initial ordering party other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision may be charged no more than $3.00 per page.

Electronic Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript delivered via electronic format shall not exceed: (f) For complex litigation, $3.00 per page

WARNING

Fee

6.5

Applies to

Transcript

For same-day transcript delivery in electronic format, the initial ordering party other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision may be charged no more than $6.50 per page.

Electronic Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript delivered via electronic format shall not exceed: (d) For same-day delivery, $6.50 per page

WARNING

Fee

3.75

Applies to

Transcript

For an expedited paper transcript, the initial ordering party other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision may be charged no more than $3.75 per page.

Paper Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript via paper format shall not exceed: (b) For an expedited transcript, $3.75 per page

WARNING

Fee

0.75

Applies to

Transcript copy

A paper copy of a filed transcript costs $0.75 per page, payable to the County of Forest or County of Warren and delivered to the Court Administrator.

Payment for copies of transcripts shall be payable to the County of Forest or County of Warren and delivered to the Court Administrator according to the following fee schedule: (1) $0.75 per page paper format;

WARNING

Fee

3.25

Applies to

Transcript

For a transcript in complex litigation in paper format, the initial ordering party other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision may be charged no more than $3.25 per page.

Paper Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript via paper format shall not exceed: (f) For complex litigation, $3.25 per page

WARNING

Fee

1

Applies to

Transcript

For a realtime feed in electronic format, the initial ordering party other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision may be charged no more than $1.00 per page.

Electronic Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript delivered via electronic format shall not exceed: (e) For realtime feed, $1.00 per page

WARNING

Fee

1

Applies to

Transcript

For an electronic rough draft, the initial ordering party other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision may be charged no more than $1.00 per page.

Electronic Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript delivered via electronic format shall not exceed: (g) For rough drafts, $1.00 per page

WARNINGCivil cases

The Sheriff may require payment for service before making or attempting service, except when the requesting party has been permitted to proceed in forma pauperis.

The Sheriff shall have the right to require payment for the requested service before service is made or attempted unless the party seeking service has been given the right to proceed in forma pauperis.

WARNING

Fee

1.25

Applies to

Transcript

For a paper rough draft, the initial ordering party other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision may be charged no more than $1.25 per page.

Paper Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript via paper format shall not exceed: (g) For rough drafts, $1.25 per page

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Service

The Sheriff may not require a service deposit, but service costs may be assessed to one or both parties at the hearing.

The Sheriff shall not require a deposit for service however the cost of service may be assessed to one or both parties when the hearing is held.

WARNING

Fee

6.75

Applies to

Transcript

For same-day paper transcript delivery, the initial ordering party other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision may be charged no more than $6.75 per page.

Paper Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript via paper format shall not exceed: (d) For same-day delivery, $6.75 per page

WARNING

Fee

1

Applies to

Transcript

For a realtime feed in paper format, the initial ordering party other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision may be charged no more than $1.00 per page.

Paper Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript via paper format shall not exceed: (e) For realtime feed, $1.00 per page

WARNING

Applies to

Transcript cost economic hardship request

A litigant seeking transcript-cost relief based on economic hardship must submit the request to the District Court Administrator for referral to the Presiding Judge for determination.

Any requests by a litigant for transcripts pursuant to R.J.A. 4007(E) alleging inability to pay due to economic hardship will be submitted to the District Court Administrator and will be directed to the Presiding Judge for determination as provided in R.J.A.L 4008(B).

WARNINGCivil cases

If deposited fees are insufficient for the court reporter's services, additional deposits may be required, and the Court Hearing Officer need not proceed further until they are received by the Prothonotary.

c. When the fees deposited with the Prothonotary are deemed insufficient to provide for the total services of the court reporter, the Court Hearing Officer may prepare a Recommended Order for submission to the Court requiring additional deposits. The Court Hearing Officer shall not be required to conduct additional hearings or proceed further in any respect until payment of additional deposits has been received by the Prothonotary.

WARNING

Fee

2.75

Applies to

Transcript

For an ordinary paper transcript, the initial ordering party other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision may be charged no more than $2.75 per page.

Paper Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript via paper format shall not exceed: (a) For an ordinary transcript, $2.75 per page

WARNING

Fee

4.5

Applies to

Transcript

For a daily transcript delivered electronically, the initial ordering party other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision may be charged no more than $4.50 per page.

Electronic Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript delivered via electronic format shall not exceed: (c) For a daily transcript, $4.50 per page

WARNING

Fee

3.5

Applies to

Transcript

For an expedited transcript delivered electronically, the initial ordering party other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision may be charged no more than $3.50 per page.

Electronic Format. The costs payable by the initial ordering party, other than the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof, for a transcript delivered via electronic format shall not exceed: (b) For an expedited transcript, $3.50 per page

WARNING

Fee

0.5

Applies to

Transcript copy

Payment for copies of transcripts shall be payable to the County of Forest or County of Warren and delivered to the Court Administrator according to the following fee schedule: (2) $0.50 per page electronic copy.

Payment for copies of transcripts shall be payable to the County of Forest or County of Warren and delivered to the Court Administrator according to the following fee schedule: (2) $0.50 per page electronic copy.

WARNING

Applies to

Ordinary transcript

The Court Administrator must obtain an ordinary-transcript cost estimate using rates established or approved under the Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration.

Upon receipt of a request for an ordinary transcript, the Court Administrator shall contact the appropriate court reporter for an estimated cost using the price rates established by the Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration or other rates approved pursuant thereto.

INFOCriminal cases

A defendant without financial resources to pay litigation costs is entitled to proceed in forma pauperis.

A defendant who is without financial resources to pay the costs of litigation is entitled to proceed in forma pauperis.

INFOCivil cases

The fees are case costs, which the Court Hearing Officer may recommend and the Court may allocate between the parties as it deems just and reasonable.

b. The fees set forth in this rule shall be regarded as costs of the case and the Court Hearing Officer may recommend and/or the Court may order each party to pay his/her own costs or may order that the costs be divided equitably and paid by each party as may be deemed just and reasonable.