Traci L. McDonald at a glance
- Current role
- Common Pleas Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Pennsylvania · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Traci L. McDonald
Common Pleas Judge · Court of Common Pleas of Washington County
Biography
Professional career
- In early 2024, changes were made to the judicial assignments in Washington County, with Judge McDonald continuing her focus on criminal cases
- This restructuring was part of a broader effort to optimize the court's operations under the new president judge, Gary Gilman
- Currently, Judge McDonald is assigned to handle criminal court cases and has previously overseen Juvenile Dependency and Delinquency cases, as well as Protection From Abuse cases
- Her responsibilities include presiding over various criminal matters and ensuring that justice is served in her courtroom
- Before her appointment, she held the role of a judge in the Washington County Magisterial District Court and worked as an assistant district attorney, where she led the Domestic, Sex Crimes, and Child Abuse Unit
Education
- Bachelor's degree from Clarion University
- University of Pittsburgh School of Law — J.D.
Additional information
- Joined the Washington County Court of Common Pleas in 2019 by Governor Tom Wolf, making history as the first black woman to hold this position.
- Judge McDonald has received several accolades for her work, including the Louis E. Waller Humanitarian Award from the Washington County Community Foundation and the ATHENA Award, recognizing her contributions to the community and her leadership in the legal field
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Exhibits
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.
the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom
Court of Common Pleas of Washington County
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania official judicial roster ↗201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View 201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom ↗