---
title: "Valarie S. Costanzo | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/valarie-s-costanzo-pa-27-e9f3ece5"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-08"
---

# Valarie S. Costanzo

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

- 2025–present: President Judge of Washington County Court of Common Pleas
- Costanzo currently serves as President Judge of the Washington County Courthouse, a role she assumed in July 2025 following the retirement of former President Judge Gary Gilman
- The President Judge of the Washington County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania, serving since July 2025, and has been a judge in the county since 1998
- 1998–2013: Judge, Washington County Magisterial District, appointed by then-Governor Tom Ridge

### Education


### Additional information

- Registered as a Democrat
- In the Court of Common Pleas, she has handled divorce, custody, juvenile, DUI, termination of parental rights, adoptions, and criminal cases
- Former Assistant District Attorney in Washington County, where she developed and implemented a Fast Track criminal case program
- During her Magisterial District tenure, she adjudicated over 50,000 cases, including landlord/tenant, traffic, and summary matters.
- She resides in Cecil Township with her two sons.
- Costanzo was born in Washington County, a lifelong resident, and completed studies at Canon-McMillan High School.



## 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.