Court Opinion

ID: 9754329
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 19:55:28.147334+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:27:52.175682
License: Public Domain

DEL SOLE, Judge,
dissenting:
I disagree with my esteemed colleagues’ analysis concerning the jurisdictional issue, and would affirm the trial court order dismissing the charges which were brought against Appellant in Allegheny County.
According to 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 903(d)(2)(i), the Washington County Court of Common Pleas could have had jurisdiction, had the conspiracy count been charged. I believe that the phrase “within the jurisdiction of a single court” refers to whether a court could have had jurisdiction, and not whether it did in fact have jurisdiction, for the purposes of § 110(l)(ii). I do not think we should permit the application of § 110 to be controlled by which crimes are charged.
Because the offenses in the instant case arose from a common criminal episode, and because both the Washington County and Allegheny County Courts of Common Pleas could have had jurisdiction over the matter, I would find that all four requirements of § 110(l)(ii) have been met, thereby warranting dismissal of the instant charges in Allegheny County. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent.