---
title: "Joseph J. Matika | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joseph-j-matika-pa-56-114a93c3"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Joseph J. Matika

Court of Common Pleas of Carbon County · Common Pleas Judge

## Profile

- Court: Court of Common Pleas of Carbon 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

- Joseph J. Matika is a judge of the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania, elected on November 8, 2011 and re‐elected for a second term in 2022
- Legal Career: Sole practitioner (1988–2000) Assistant District Attorney, Carbon County (1994–2011) Partner, Velitsky & Matika law firm, Summit Hill (2001–2013) Solicitor in Carbon and Schuylkill Counties; court‐appointed arbitrator for 22 years Adjunct professor at Lehigh‐Carbon Community College

### Education


### Additional information

- Public records show Judge Matika has handled numerous cases, including traffic offenses, drug possession, DUI, and other criminal matters, often imposing fines, probation, and community service
- Judge Matika has been active in local organizations, including the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Carbon County Bar Association, National Rifle Association, Sons of the American Legion, Summit Hill Lions Club, and as former chair of the St. Luke’s Miners Memorial Hospital Board of Directors



## 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.