--- title: "Thomas P. McCabe | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-p-mccabe-pa-15-3ecce544" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Thomas P. McCabe Court of Common Pleas of Chester County · Common Pleas Judge ## Profile - Court: Court of Common Pleas of Chester 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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-p-mccabe-pa-15-3ecce544", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-p-mccabe-pa-15-3ecce544", "name": "Thomas P. McCabe | KnowJudges", "description": "Thomas P. McCabe, Court of Common Pleas of Chester County. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-07-26", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-p-mccabe-pa-15-3ecce544#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-p-mccabe-pa-15-3ecce544#judge", "name": "Thomas P. McCabe", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-p-mccabe-pa-15-3ecce544", "jobTitle": "Common Pleas Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Court of Common Pleas of Chester County" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/common-pleas-judges/print-view" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Pennsylvania", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/pennsylvania" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas P. McCabe", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-p-mccabe-pa-15-3ecce544" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Thomas Patrick “Tip” McCabe currently serves as a Judge on the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, District 15 (Chester County), with his term extending through December 31, 2033 - Before his judicial role, McCabe served as an associate at several law firms, including Ciardi & Ciardi, P.C., Saling, Litvin & Hambleton, Schindler Law Group, LLC, and O'Donnell, Weiss & Mattei, P.C.. ### Education - Villanova University School of Law in, where he received the Dorothy Day Pro Bono Distinction Award for his volunteer legal work — J.D. (2006) ### Additional information - McCabe earned a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Fordham University in 2003 - His experience spans jury and bench trials, civil and criminal cases, juvenile adjudications, and appellate matters, equipping him to serve the Chester County community effectively - McCabe emphasizes bringing the public defender’s perspective to the bench, ensuring that all individuals receive fair and impartial trials in accordance with due process, equal protection under the law, and constitutional rights. - He has also held the role of solicitor for the Elk Township Zoning Hearing Board and as a member of an arbitration panel for civil matters under $50,000 - He has a diverse legal background, beginning his career as an Assistant Public Defender in Chester County, where he represented indigent clients and ensured fair trials. - McCabe later worked in private practice - handling civil litigation, landlord/tenant disputes, guardianships, land use, municipal law, juvenile law, appellate matters, and pro bono custody cases through the Chester County Bar Association’s Access to Justice Program - He has chaired the Chester County Bar Association’s Criminal Defense Section and co-chaired the Civil Litigation Section, reflecting his broad expertise in both criminal and civil law ## 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.