--- title: "Paul W. Minnich | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/paul-w-minnich-pa-common-pleas-19-aafb6bd4" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-27" --- # Paul W. Minnich Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Judicial District 19 (York County) · Common Pleas Judge ## Profile - Court: Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Judicial District 19 (York County) - State: Pennsylvania - Role: Common Pleas Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## 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) - [Official roster](https://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/common-pleas-judges) - [Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania official judicial roster](https://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/common-pleas-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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/paul-w-minnich-pa-common-pleas-19-aafb6bd4", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/paul-w-minnich-pa-common-pleas-19-aafb6bd4", "name": "Paul W. Minnich | KnowJudges", "description": "Paul W. Minnich, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Judicial District 19 (York County). 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Minnich", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/paul-w-minnich-pa-common-pleas-19-aafb6bd4" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas Judge for York County’s 19th Judicial District, elected in November 2025 and beginning his 10‐year term in January 2026 - Officially elected Judge of the York County Court of Common Pleas in the November 4, 2025 general election, after winning both the Democratic and Republican primaries. ### Education ### Additional information - Now serving in District 19 (York County) and will hold office until December 31, 2035. - In his campaign, Minnich emphasized integrity, fairness, and cost‐effective justice, drawing on his private sector experience to improve court administration. - His trial experience spans state and federal courts, and he also co‐chaired the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Service Team - He has stated that judges should interpret, not make, the law, and that public service should be guided by honesty, humility, and hard work - Before joining the judiciary, Minnich had a 31‐year career as a partner in Barley Snyder’s Litigation Practice Group, where he handled complex commercial, real estate, and fiduciary litigation in Pennsylvania and Maryland courts. - He served on the firm’s management committee and chaired its Litigation Practice Group. - A native of York County, Minnich has been active in local organizations, including WellSpan Health (current board member), TrueNorth Wellness Services, Crossroads Counseling and Education Services, and the York County Bar Foundation. - He has also served on boards such as Leadership York and the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center ## 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.