PA Supreme Court Adopts New Rules, Policies for Elected Constables

HARRISBURG — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has adopted new rules that will, for the first time, require uniform policies, procedures and standards of conduct for constables across the state when they are assigned court business.

“There was a need for these rules, policies and procedures, and the Supreme Court has taken a critical step in establishing uniformity for constables who provide services to the judiciary,” Chief Justice Castille said. “Constables who want to work for the courts will need to adhere to the rules with regard to qualifications, education, standards of conduct, and security and vehicle requirements as well as any local policies and procedures enacted by president judges.”

The new rules of Judicial Administration and the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Constable Policies, Procedures and Standards of Conduct were based on the recommendations of a workgroup established by the Supreme Court to improve the constable system in Pennsylvania. The recommendations were the culmination of more than two years of study and input from related stakeholder groups.

The workgroup was co-chaired by Dauphin County President Judge Todd A. Hoover and Washington County President Judge Debbie O’Dell Seneca and included Common Pleas and magisterial district court judges, court administrators, a county court finance department staffer and two constables. It used constable handbooks developed by Berks and Chester counties for reference.

In addition to the rules, the workgroup identified areas where the legislature can address further improving the constable system. The court provided information to the leadership of the House Judiciary Committee, which has been highly supportive of the initiative undertaken by the court.

Areas referred to the General Assembly include definitions and clarification of terms relevant to constable remuneration, consideration of limiting political activities, the enumeration of prior criminal convictions and other factors that may make a constable ineligible to receive assignments from the courts, education and training improvements, standardization in bonding requirements, incompatible practices and standardized attire.

Chief Justice Castille emphasized that nothing in the rules is intended to change the present legal status of constables. Constables will continue to be elected and will remain independent contractors for the courts to be used on an as needed basis. The rules and standards pertain solely to constables engaged in service to the courts.

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