“I am pleased to announce my intention to seek election in 2021,” said Judge Hale, who immediately assumed her Common Pleas judicial duties after being sworn in on October 12, 2020. As a member of the Common Pleas bench, she presides over various cases including criminal trials, custody trials, civil matters, juvenile court, abuse court, summary appeals, and children and youth matters.
Judge Hale believes she has the judicial temperament, patience and analytical skills necessary to continue serving as a Common Pleas Judge. She acknowledged that she treats everyone who appears before her with respect and dignity. Hale proclaimed “I am fair, impartial and ensure due process to everyone. I take my job seriously and adhere to the oath I took to support, obey, and defend the Constitution and to discharge the duties of my office with fidelity. I do that every day. It is a tremendous honor to serve the public in a fair and ethical manner.”
Judge Hale is well respected by her peers as well. In April of 2020, she received the highest vote total in the Schuylkill County Bar Association attorney balloting for judicial preference to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John E. Domalakes.
Judge Hale will crossfile on both the Republican and Democrat tickets for the 2021 Pennsylvania Primary in the spring. At the time of her judicial appointment she said “I am humbled and deeply honored by the faith placed in me by the Governor and the State Senate to perform this vital role of justice in our community. It was a tremendous honor to be considered and appointed.”
Senator David Argall, who nominated Hale for appointment, shared his support. “It was a pleasure to vote to confirm Judge Hale on the floor of the Senate today. She has a wealth of experience in both civil and criminal cases and is a pillar of the Schuylkill County community. I could not think of a better candidate to sit on the Court of Common Pleas,” said Argall.
Judge Hale was first elected as magisterial district judge in 2011 for district court 21-2-01 in Frackville. During her tenure, she handled over 34,000 cases. She won the 2011 election primary as the leading vote getter on both the Republican and Democrat ballots after defeating seven other opponents. After finishing her first term as magisterial district judge, Hale was officially endorsed by both the Republican and Democrat parties of Schuylkill County for re-election in 2017. She was re-elected unopposed. Hale views the overwhelming bipartisan support she received as a testament to the job she had done in her court.
In addition to her professional experience, Hale is passionate about community involvement. Aside from serving as a volunteer youth soccer and basketball coach, Judge Hale has been a regular speaker at nearly every school district in Schuylkill County. “I truly enjoy and value judicial outreach,” she said. As a frequently requested guest speaker, she has lectured students on issues ranging from bullying to substance abuse, social media misuse, distracted driving, Law Day, and the Constitution. She has also presented to the boy scouts, girl scouts, drug survivor groups and local civic organizations. In May 2020, the Frackville Elks honored Judge Hale as the Elks Citizen of the Year due to her extensive community involvement. Her alma mater, North Schuylkill High School, also recognized Hale’s contributions by inducting her into the 2020 North Schuylkill Alumni Wall of Fame for outstanding academic and professional achievement.
Raised in Frackville, Hale is a life-long resident of Schuylkill County. Following graduation 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.
Hale stated “If given the opportunity, I will continue to work hard and be a fair judge dedicated to justice.”