Court Opinion

ID: 9700271
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 21:18:00.542525+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:21:06.215048
License: Public Domain

DEL SOLE, Judge,
concurring:
While I agree with the majority’s holding, I reach my conclusion on a different basis. Appellant argues that the dismissal of the case at the preliminary hearing barred the Commonwealth from refiling the charges, requiring that the Commonwealth instead appeal the dismissal. I disagree. Appellant cites to Commonwealth v. La Belle, 531 Pa. 256, 612 A.2d 418 (1992) to support his position. La Belle is an exception to the general rule that dismissal at a preliminary hearing for lack of a prima facie case does not preclude refiling the charges within the statute of limitations. The La Belle court explained the traditional rule, “ ... the failure to make a prima facie case has been treated as an interlocutory matter, for at the time it is determined that the prosecution’s evidence is deficient, jeopardy has not attached and the state is not out of court because of the adverse determination.” Id. 612 A.2d at 420. In La Belle, the Supreme Court found that the dismissal was not based on a failure to make a prima facie case, but on an application of a rule of law. Nothing the Commonwealth could have done upon refiling would have added to the case; therefore, the Commonwealth’s sole remedy was an appeal to *1271the Court of Common Pleas to preserve the legal question. In the instant case, it is apparent from the transcript of the preliminary hearing that the Commonwealth established a prima facie case for the crimes charged. However, the issuing authority determined the arresting officer had insufficient grounds to stop the Appellant’s vehicle and, in effect, suppressed the evidence of Appellant’s conduct.1 Contrary to Appellant’s argument, the charges were initially dismissed because the issuing authority concluded there were insufficient facts articulated by the arresting officer to warrant the stop of Appellant. Since this determination is based upon evidence to be presented, it falls within the broad category of cases which have repeatedly held that the Commonwealth may refile charges in order to supplement its presentation and make its prima facie case.

. I note that a preliminary hearing is not the appropriate place for a suppression motion. Under Pa.R.Crim.P. 323(b), disposition of suppression motions is reserved to the trial court.