PIKE COUNTY, PA — Certain legal filings in Pike County may be filed electronically, according to a set of rules published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 

According to the rules, 60th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas of Pike County and the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) have agreed upon an implementation plan for PACFile in Pike County for certain criminal and deliquency filings. Electronic filings are permissive, and not mandatory.

The ''legal papers'' which may be filed electronically in a criminal procedure includes all written motions, written answers and any notices or documents for which filing is required or permitted, including orders, exhibits and attachments, except the following:

 1. Applications for a search warrant;

 2. Applications for an arrest warrant;

 3. Submissions filed or authorized to be filed under seal;

 4. Grand jury materials, except the indicting grand jury indictment or the investigating grand jury presentment;

 5. Submissions filed by ex parte as authorized by law; and,

 6. Exhibits offered into evidence, whether or not admitted, in a court proceeding.

The ''legal papers'' which may be filed electronically in a deliquency procedure includes all written motions, written answers and any notices or documents for which filing is required or permitted, including orders, exhibits and attachments, except the following:

 1. Applications for a search warrant;

 2. Applications for an arrest warrant;

 3. Submissions filed by ex parte as authorized by law; and,

 4. Exhibits offered into evidence, whether or not admitted, in a court proceeding.

Any party who is unable or declines to participate in PACFile may file legal papers in a physical paper format with the Clerk of Courts, and shall be served legal papers in a physical paper format by the Clerk of Courts and other parties to the case. However, establishment of a PACFile account shall constitute consent to participate in electronic filing, including acceptance of service electronically of any document filed in PACFile.

For criminal procedures, service of legal papers on any attorney or party who has not established an account as provided in subsection (D) of this rule shall be made in accordance with Pa.R.Crim.P. 114(B) and 576(b). For deliquency procedures, parties utilizing PACFile shall serve physical paper format copies on all parties to the case who do not utilize PACFile, pursuant to Pa.R.J.C.P. 167(B), Pa.R.J.C.P. 345(B) and Pa.R.J.C.P. 331.