---
title: "Leah Williams Duncan | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/leah-williams-duncan-pa-mdj-05-2-42"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-08"
---

# Leah Williams Duncan

Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court 05-2-42 · Magisterial District Judge

## Profile

- Court: Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court 05-2-42
- State: Pennsylvania
- Role: Magisterial District 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/minor-courts/magisterial-district-judges/)
- [Official roster](https://www.pacourts.us/courts/minor-courts/magisterial-district-judges/)
- [Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania official judicial roster](https://www.pacourts.us/courts/minor-courts/magisterial-district-judges/)
- [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

- Magisterial District Judge Leah Williams Duncan serves District Court 05‐2‐42 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

### Education


### Additional information

- In December 2025, Duncan was named a 2026 Onyx Woman Leadership Awards Honoree for her resilience, community service, and judicial leadership
- Democratic Party judge elected in the November 2, 2021 general election, defeating Mark Scorpion.
- Service: Served in the U.S. Army Reserve; first in her family to graduate college
- handling criminal, civil, and family matters for Pittsburgh’s North Side
- Judge Duncan presides over Magisterial District Court 05‐2‐42, located at 3880 Perryville Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15214.