---
title: "Traci L. McDonald | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/traci-l-mcdonald-pa-27-a0b2955d"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-08"
---

# Traci L. McDonald

Court of Common Pleas of Washington County · Common Pleas Judge

## Profile

- Court: Court of Common Pleas of Washington 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

- 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



## 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.