A Criminal Summons or Notice to Appear is a piece of paper that tells you the time and date to come to Court and the Court location. The police will serve a Summons if the State thinks that you have committed an offense. A Summons is not an arrest. You will not be taken into custody. But you must go to Court when the Summons tells you to or else a bench warrant will issue for your arrest. If you cannot make it to Court you must contact the court immediately to notify them and reschedule your reporting time. After going to court you will have to go to the police station to get fingerprinted and photographed. However, do not give any statements to the police without your attorney present.

If you are a juvenile you will also receive a Juvenile Allegation of Delinquency which is an affidavit signed by the police officer stating the facts he observed and the people he interviewed.

A Juvenile Petition contains the offenses you are being charged with and indicates if your fingerprints were taken, if you were arrested and if the criminal laboratory services were requested. If you are arrested, a police officer must contact one of your parents or your legal guardian and tell them where you are.

If you are an adult you will also receive a criminal complaint containing list of charges and the affidavit signed by the police officer stating the facts he observed and the people he interviewed.

If you receive a Criminal Summons you should contact Gregory J. Spadea at 610-521-0604 of Spadea & Associates, LLC in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania.