“I am pleased to announce my intention to seek re-election,” Hale said. “Six years ago, I took an oath to support, obey and defend the Constitution and to discharge the duties of my office with fidelity. That is exactly what I have done for the past six years in a fair and ethical manner. It is a great honor to serve the public.”
Hale has cross-filed on both the Republican and Democratic tickets for the Pennsylvania primary on May 16, 2017.
She was elected in 2011 and took office in 2012 for her first full six-year term. Since 2012, Hale has handled a total of 20,375 cases in her capacity as magisterial district judge.
On March 4, Hale was officially endorsed by the Democrat party of Schuylkill County.
“I humbly thank the Democratic Party for the endorsement and ask both Republicans and Democrats for their ongoing support,” the judge said. “I pledge to continue to serve my constituents with respect and impartiality, if given the opportunity.”
Raised in Frackville, Hale is a lifelong resident of Schuylkill County.
After graduating from North Schuylkill High School, Penn State University and the Dickinson School of Law, she returned to Schuylkill County in 2001 where she practiced law for 12 years.
During her tenure as an attorney, Hale was named a five-time “Pennsylvania Superlawyer Rising Star” as published in Law and Politics and Philadelphia Magazine.
An active community and civic volunteer, Hale is a member of the North Schuylkill Spartan Nation Foundation; North Schuylkill PTO; St. Joseph’s Parish, Frackville; the Frackville Elks; the Pennsylvania Society; the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Daughters of Erin; Southend Field and Stream, Frackville; the Saint Clair Fish and Game Club; a board member of the Schuylkill County Bar Association; a team member of the Schuylkill County Drug Court; a past board member of the St. Joseph’s Center for Special Learning; a member of the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania; and the District 10 Magisterial District Judges Association.
She also enjoys promoting confidence in the judiciary with myriad educational outreach activities.
From speaking with Boy Scouts, reading to kindergarten classes and serving as a guest lecturer for Penn State University criminal law students, Hale said she hopes to provide a public understanding of the administration of justice.
She has been enthusiastically welcomed as a guest lecturer, about important topics like texting and driving as well as cyberbullying by students and faculty at Blue Mountain High School, Shenandoah Valley High School, North Schuylkill High School, Saint Clair Middle School, and Mahanoy Area Middle School and Mahanoy Area High School.
Hale’s district court is located at 619 W. Oak St., Frackville, and includes the boroughs of Ashland, Frackville, Gilberton, Girardville, Gordon and Ringtown; Butler, North Union, Ryan and Union townships; and the Altamont precinct of West Mahanoy Township.
Hale said that magisterial district courts have primary jurisdiction over traffic and summary offenses, landlord-tenant matters and civil matters involving claims up to $12,000.
The courts are also the first stop for all misdemeanor and felony cases and magisterial district judges have the responsibility to assess whether there is probable cause for an arrest or search warrant, preside over evidentiary hearings and set bail.