---
title: "Risa Vetri Ferman | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/risa-vetri-ferman-pa-38-c581be9a"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Risa Vetri Ferman

Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County · Common Pleas Judge

## Profile

- Court: Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery 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

- Judge Ferman serves in the Criminal Division of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, having been elected in 2015 and taking office in 2016
- Before becoming a judge, Ferman was District Attorney of Montgomery County from 2008 to 2016, the first woman elected to that office.
- Began her legal career in 1993 as a prosecutor in the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, specializing in homicide, child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence cases
- She rose to Captain of the Sex Crime and Child Abuse Divisions and subsequently became First Assistant District Attorney

### Education



### Additional information

- In March 2023, she joined the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania by Governor Josh Shapiro, serving the remainder of a four-year term
- She was re-elected in 2011 and was known for initiatives such as the Elder Abuse Unit, Teen Driving Safety Program, and Cyberbullying Task Force
- She has also previously held the role of Administrative Judge of the Juvenile Division and in the Family and Criminal Divisions Al Día News
- Judge Ferman is a lifelong resident of Abington Township, Pennsylvania, and remains active in her community
- Ferman co-founded the Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center and the Montgomery County Child Advocacy Program.



## 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.