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About Us

Who are Constables?

A Pennsylvania State Constable is an office held in Pennsylvania.   It is the constable's job to enforce the law and carry it out, just the same as the job of district attorneys, sheriffs and the police (see Ant 147 of 1990, 528 Pa., at470, 598 A.2d 9S5).

  

Pennsylvania constables have the right in Pennsylvania to arrest by warrant and to conduct warrantless arrests for felonies and breaches of the peace, including warrantless arrests for felony violations of the drug laws (see Commonwealth v. Taylor, 450 Pa. Super. 583, 596, 677 A.2d 846,852 [Pa. 1996]) anywhere in the commonwealth.   They also have statutory powers of arrest (see e.g. 32 P.S. S582; S3 P.S. §13349).

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They are exempt from the need to have a carry license for their weapon 18 Pa.CS. § 6106.

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Definition of a Pennsylvania Constable

A constable is an elected official and serves six-year terms.

Constables belong to the executive branch of government.  As such, they are answerable to the governor of Pennsylvania.  They perform services for the Pennsylvania Magisterial courts, but do not belong to the judicial branch.

In Pennsylvania, constables are peace officers.   As such, they are also empowered to quell a disturbance of the peace.   A disturbance of the peace in Pennsylvania is defined as an imminent threat or danger to persons or property.   For example, if a constable observes a public brawl, then the constable may arrest the participants for breaching the peace.  According to Pennsylvania common law, a citizen may also have a limited power of arrest commonly known as a citizen’s arrest for felonies committed in view, but they are not given the shroud of authority a constable, sheriff or other law enforcement officer is given.

 

 

Duties of a Constable

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Protecting the Polls
Constables are also charged by Pennsylvania statute with maintaining order at election polls and ensuring that no qualified elector is obstructed from voting.  Constables are the only peace officers permitted at the polls on Election Day.  In fact this duty is mandated upon constables; failure to protect the polls, or provide for their protection through appointed deputies, is punishable with a fine.  

 

Working for the Courts
Constables may serve the court, but are not required to. When serving the judiciary, constables may serve judicial process, writs, arrest warrants, levies and collect fines. These services are regulated by Act 49 of the Pennsylvania statutes. The constable is paid for these services by fees which are specified in the statutes, and paid by the defendant in criminal cases or the plaintiff in civil cases.

In some Pennsylvania counties, Constables provide courtroom security and transport prisoners. For example, Chester and Berks Counties use constables for prisoner transports and courtroom security.

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Constables may also serve civil process.  Unlike judicial services, civil process may be served by any able-bodied adult, and so does not require a constable.  Constables or Sheriff's are required when enforcement of court orders is necessary.

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Constable's can provide security for the local bail wick or any other security at any county level. Some constable's work for other county police to provide traffic control plus security at certain events.

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Training
Constables are required to complete Act 49 certification and training before performing any court duties, including execution of arrest warrants.   In order to carry a firearm , Constables must complete the firearms-portion of Act 49 as well.

 

Deputy Constables
Each constable may, with approval of the President Judge in the county the constable is elected in, appoint deputies to work under his authority. Each deputy is given the same authority as the constable himself, but serves at the pleasure of the elected constable. A constable may appoint Election Day deputy constables to monitor polling places in their elected districts

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Township History

Fannett Township is a township in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,483 at the 2020 census. The township derives its name as an older variant spelling of Fanad, County Donegal, from early Irish settlement in the area. It was formed before 1762, and until about 1795 included the area now in Metal Township.

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Geography

Fannett Township is the northernmost township in Franklin County. It is bordered to the west by Huntingdon County, to the north by Juniata County, to the northeast by Perry County, and to the east by Cumberland County. The township is in the Ridge and Valley Province of the Appalachian Mountains: Tuscarora Mountain forms the western boundary of the township, and the eastern boundary follows the crest of Kittatinny Mountain (known as Sherman Mountain to the northeast).

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 68.2 square miles (176.7 km2), of which 0.02 square miles (0.04 km2), or 0.02%, is water.

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Interstate 76, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, crosses the southeastern part of the township, but with no direct access. The turnpike enters the township from the east via the Kittatinny Mountain Tunnel.

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Unincorporated communities in the township include Spring Run in the southwest, Dry Run in the west-central area, Doylesburg in the center, and Concord in the north, all along Pennsylvania Route 75. Amberson is in the eastern part of the township, in the Amberson Valley between Rising Mountain to the northwest and Kittatinny Mountain to the southeast. The southern half of the township is drained by the West Branch of Conococheague Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River, while the northern half is drained by the Narrows Branch of Tuscarora Creek, a tributary of the Juniata River and part of the Susquehanna River watershed.

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Neighboring Townships

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Communities

 

 

Demographics

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As of the census of 2000, there were 2,370 people, 824 households, and 619 families residing in the township. The population density was 34.6 inhabitants per square mile (13.4/km2). There were 1,045 housing units at an average density of 15.3/sq mi (5.9/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 98.73% White, 0.68% African American, 0.17% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 0.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.42% of the population.

There were 824 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.5% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the township the population was spread out, with 29.7% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $35,179, and the median income for a family was $38,250. Males had a median income of $27,309 versus $21,452 for females. The per capita income for the township was $14,915. About 12.7% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.4% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Meet The Team

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