6113.1 - Private criminal complaints for violation of order or agreement.

     § 6113.1.  Private criminal complaints for violation of order or                agreement.        (a)  General rule.--A plaintiff may file a private criminal     complaint against a defendant, alleging indirect criminal     contempt for a noneconomic violation of any provision of an     order or court-approved consent agreement issued under this     chapter or a foreign protection order, with the court, the     office of the district attorney or the magisterial district     judge in the jurisdiction or county where the violation     occurred, except that, in a city of the first class, a complaint     may only be filed with the family division of the court of     common pleas or the office of the district attorney.        (b)  Procedure service.--Procedure for filing and service of     a private criminal complaint shall be provided as set forth by     local rule. No fees or costs associated with the prosecution of     the private criminal complaint shall be assigned to the     plaintiff at any stage of the proceeding, including, but not     limited to, filing, service, failure to prosecute, withdrawal or     dismissal. Nothing in this subsection is intended to expand or     diminish the court's authority to enter an order pursuant to     Pa.R.C.P. No. 1023.1 (relating to Scope. Signing of Documents.     Representations to the Court. Violation).        (c)  Fees and costs.--After a finding of indirect criminal     contempt, fees and costs may be assessed against the defendant.     The court shall waive fees and costs imposed pursuant to this     chapter upon a showing of good cause or when the court makes a     finding that the defendant is not able to pay the costs     associated with the indirect criminal contempt action. Nothing     in this subsection is intended to expand or diminish the court's     authority to enter an order pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. No. 1023.1.     (Oct. 6, 1994, P.L.574, No.85, eff. 60 days; June 22, 2001,     P.L.576, No.39, eff. 60 days; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207,     eff. 60 days; Nov. 10, 2005, P.L.335, No.66, eff. 180 days)        2004 Amendment.  See sections 28 and 29 of Act 207 in the     appendix to this title for special provisions relating to     applicability and construction of law.