---
title: "Natasha Taylor-Smith | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/natasha-taylor-smith-pa-01-8d06c282"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-28"
---

# Natasha Taylor-Smith

Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Judicial District 01 (Philadelphia County) · Common Pleas Judge

## Profile

- Court: Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Judicial District 01 (Philadelphia 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

### physical and oversized exhibits

Scope: courtwide

Philadelphia Rule 5101 requires physical evidence and oversized exhibits to be photographed, converted to letter-sized PDF, marked, and produced during trial or an evidentiary hearing.

Evidence excerpt: Physical evidence and oversized exhibits must be photographed by the proponent, converted to letter sized pdf and appropriately marked and produced during the trial or evidentiary hearing.

[Philadelphia Rule of Judicial Administration No. *5101](https://www.courts.phila.gov/pdf/regs/2024/06-of-2024-GCR.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-28

### audio and video exhibits

Scope: courtwide

Electronic evidence, including audio or video exhibits, must be supplied on a USB drive, CD/DVD, or another medium specified by the presiding judge or Office of Judicial Records.

Evidence excerpt: Electronic evidence, including audio or video exhibits, must be produced by the proponent on a USB drive, CD/DVD, or other medium specified by the presiding judge or Office of Judicial Records.

[Philadelphia Rule of Judicial Administration No. *5101](https://www.courts.phila.gov/pdf/regs/2024/06-of-2024-GCR.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-28

### post trial exhibit filing

Scope: courtwide

For Civil Section trials and evidentiary hearings, each proponent must upload documentary exhibits and provide any audio or video media to the Office of Judicial Records within five days after the proceeding concludes.

Evidence excerpt: within five (5) days of the conclusion of the trial or evidentiary hearing, counsel for each proponent of the exhibits and evidence shall upload their documentary exhibits through the Electronic Filing System

[Philadelphia Rule of Judicial Administration No. *5101](https://www.courts.phila.gov/pdf/regs/2024/06-of-2024-GCR.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-28

### 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)
- [Philadelphia Rule of Judicial Administration No. *5101](https://www.courts.phila.gov/pdf/regs/2024/06-of-2024-GCR.pdf)
- [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

- Natasha Taylor‐Smith is a Democratic‐party judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania, serving since January 1, 2024, and elected to a full ten‐year term through 2034
- She has also held the role of an adjunct professor at Temple University Law School

### Education

- A native of North Philadelphia, she graduated summa cum laude in Political Science from Hampton University, where she also trained in leadership through the Army ROTC program.
- Temple University Beasley School of Law, receiving the Barrister’s Award and recognition for Outstanding Oral Advocacy — J.D.

### Additional information

- Appointed by Governor Josh Shapiro in 2023 and later elected in the November 7, 2023 general election
- Judge Taylor‐Smith presides in the Criminal Trials Division as a Team Leader in the Major Jury Trials Section of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.
- She later ran a private practice in criminal, family, and personal injury law, and held the role of county solicitor for Montgomery County and municipal solicitor for several Southeastern Pennsylvania townships and boroughs
- Her legal career began as an attorney with the Defender Association of Philadelphia, trying nearly 100 jury trials and hundreds of non‐jury matters over nine years.



## 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.
