---
title: "Harry F. Smail Jr. | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/harry-f-smail-jr-pa-10-aa73e6a3"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-08"
---

# Harry F. Smail Jr.

Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County · Common Pleas Judge

## Profile

- Court: Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County
- State: Pennsylvania
- Role: Common Pleas Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### recording photography evidence presentation

Scope: statewide

For Pennsylvania Common Pleas proceedings, statewide Pa.R.J.A. 1910 prohibits courtroom broadcasting, recording, and photography unless an exception or judicial authorization applies; the rule also recognizes judge-authorized electronic or photographic means for evidence presentation.

Evidence excerpt: the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence

[201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom](https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?d=&file=%2Fsecure%2Fpacode%2Fdata%2F201%2Fchapter19%2Fchap19toc.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/common-pleas-judges/print-view)
- [Official roster](https://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/common-pleas-judges/print-view)
- [Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania official judicial roster](https://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/common-pleas-judges/print-view)
- [201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom](https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?d=&file=%2Fsecure%2Fpacode%2Fdata%2F201%2Fchapter19%2Fchap19toc.html)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Before joining the bench, Smail was a sole practitioner attorney (1998–2014) and previously worked at Blum, Reiss & Plaitano (1997–1998).
- Judge of the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania, serving in the Civil and Orphans Court division in Greensburg, PA

### Education

- B.A. in Political Science and Business Administration from Grove City College (1988) and a J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law (1997)

### Additional information

- In 2023, Smail ran for the Pennsylvania Superior Court but was unsuccessful in the general election.
- First appointed to the Court of Common Pleas in 2014 and later elected to a full 10‐year term in 2015
- Appointed by former Governor Tom Corbett on June 20, 2014, Judge Smail has jurisdiction over family, civil, and criminal matters in Westmoreland County.
- Judge Smail is a registered Republican and identifies as a life‐long conservative and strict Constitutionalist.
- He has been active in numerous community organizations, including the Rotary Club of Greensburg, Westmoreland Cultural Trust, Boy Scouts of America, Goodwill Industries, and the United Way of Central Westmoreland



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-0784d9a288c3456edcbc19ff) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?d=&file=%2Fsecure%2Fpacode%2Fdata%2F201%2Fchapter19%2Fchap19toc.html). Collected 2026-07-26.