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234 Pa. Code Rule 206. Contents of Application for Search Warrant.

Rule 206. Contents of Application for Search Warrant.

 Each application for a search warrant shall be supported by written affidavit(s) signed and sworn to or affirmed before an issuing authority, which affidavit(s) shall:

   (1)  state the name and department, agency, or address of the affiant;

   (2)  identify specifically the items or property to be searched for and seized;

   (3)  name or describe with particularity the person or place to be searched;

   (4)  identify the owner, occupant, or possessor of the place to be searched;

   (5)  specify or describe the crime which has been or is being committed;

   (6)  set forth specifically the facts and circumstances which form the basis for the affiant’s conclusion that there is probable cause to believe that the items or property identified are evidence or the fruit of a crime, or are contraband, or are expected to be otherwise unlawfully possessed or subject to seizure, and that these items or property are or are expected to be located on the particular person or at the particular place described;

   (7)  if a ‘‘nighttime’’ search is requested (i.e., 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.), state additional reasonable cause for seeking permission to search in nighttime;

   (8)  when the attorney for the Commonwealth is requesting that the affidavit(s) be sealed pursuant to Rule 211, state the facts and circumstances which are alleged to establish good cause for the sealing of the affidavit(s); and

   (9)  a certification that the application complies with the provisions of the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania regarding confidential information and documents.

Comments

   For the contents of the search warrant, see Rule 205.

   While this rule continues to require written affidavits, the form of affidavit was deleted in 1984 because it is no longer necessary to control the specific form of written affidavit by rule.

   The 2005 amendments to paragraph (6) recognize anticipatory search warrants. To satisfy the requirements of paragraph (6) when the warrant being requested is for a prospective event, the application for the search warrant also must include a statement explaining how the affiant knows that the items to be seized on a later occasion will be at the place specified. See Commonwealth v. Coleman, 830 A.2d 554 (Pa. 2003), and Commonwealth v. Glass, 754 A.2d 655 (Pa. 2000).

   When the attorney for the Commonwealth is requesting that the search warrant affidavit(s) be sealed, the affidavit(s) in support of the search warrant must set forth the facts and circumstances the attorney for the Commonwealth alleges establish that there is good cause to seal the affidavit(s). See also Rule 211(B)(2). Pursuant to Rule 211(B)(1), when the attorney for the Commonwealth requests that the search warrant affidavit be sealed, the application for the search warrant must be made to a judge of the court of common pleas or to an appellate court justice or judge, who would be the issuing authority for purposes of this rule. For the procedures for sealing search warrant affidavit(s), see Rule 211.

   See Rule 113.1 regarding the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania and the requirements regarding filings and documents that contain confidential information.

   Official Note

   Previous Rule 2006 adopted October 17, 1973, effective 60 days hence; rescinded November 9, 1984, effective January 2, 1985. Present Rule 2006 adopted November 9, 1984, effective January 2, 1985; amended September 3, 1993, effective January 1, 1994; renumbered Rule 206 and amended March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001; amended October 19, 2005, effective February 1, 2006; amended June 1, 2018, effective July 1, 2018.

   Committee Explanatory Reports:

   Report explaining the September 3, 1993 amendments published at 21 Pa.B. 3681 (August 17, 1991).

   Final Report explaining the March 1, 2000 reorganization and renumbering of the rules published with the Court’s Order at 30 Pa.B. 1478 (March 18, 2000).

   Final Report explaining the October 19, 2005 amendments to paragraph (6) and the Comment published with the Court’s Order at 35 Pa.B. 6088 (November 5, 2005).

   Amendment regarding the Court’s public access policy published with the Court’s Order at 48 Pa.B. 3575 (June 16, 2018).

Source

   The provisions of this Rule 206 amended October 19, 2005, effective February 1, 2006, 35 Pa.B. 6087; amended June 1, 2018, effective July 1, 2018, 48 Pa.B. 3575. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (388182) and (369639).



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