"The Robing Room: PA State Judges

Hon. John L. Hall	See Rating Details
Judge Common Pleas
Chester County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 1.3 - 2 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 3 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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Only items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

* Temperament		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Scholarship		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Industriousness		(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
* Ability to Handle Complex Litigation		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Punctuality		(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

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What others have said about Hon. John L. Hall

Comments

Litigant

Comment #: PA563
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Literally, the meanest and most arrogant and sociopathic judge in PA. He put my kid through five years of pure hell before he was overturned, which he knew he would be. Didn't care. More interested in power and showing who was boss. A disgrace to the judiciary.

Other

Comment #: PA358
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Contacted him about a case in the magisterial courts since he is the president judge and is supposed to oversee them. He falsely claims that a magisterial court is not a court of record. I know they don't need to have a stenographer, but according to PA Code Title 234, all courts in PA are courts of record unless otherwise noted, and there are no notes indicating any are excluded.

Litigant

Comment #: PA232
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He reminds me of Kavanaugh...a spoiled, whiny, self-entitled prep school brat who is completely out of touch with reality. This is what Superior Court said about him in a recent juvenile case: "The record indicates that the juvenile court took no action on Appellant's post-dispositional motions for a number of months, in clear violation of Pa.R.J.C.P. 620(D" and "Although the parties herein consented to the adjudication and finding-of-fact with deferred disposition scheme at the hearing, such an agreement is not permitted under the Rules and is invalid. Therefore, we hold that (Judge Hall) committed a manifest abuse of discretion by accepting and implementing the instant agreement. Accordingly, we must vacate both orders of court..."
He RUNS the Chester County juvenile court. It's nice to see the appeals courts are finally holding his feet to the fire. I bet he likes BEER....

Litigant

Comment #: PA226
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I was pro se before this judge and I learned alot about the law and the legal system in Pennsylvania. Like I had no idea judges could suborn perjury from their secretary, lie about what a hearing is about, lie in their orders and findings of fact, hold you in contempt for outside reviews, allow relatives to testify in your case, etc. Quite a learning experience. I also learned never to do anything nice for anyone else because it will come back to bite you before the wrong judge. Also, always wanted to be a lawyer but could not afford law school. I am SO glad I didn't waste my money. I don't think I like this business. I would not have lasted a year.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: PA188
Rating:1.0

Comments:
If you plan to go before Judge John Hall, you had better have enough money for a good lawyer AND a huge bribe. That is the ONLY was his courtroom works in your favor. The lawyers all know it.

I know someone who had an estate opened in his probate court WITHOUT a death certificate! That would be impossible to do in PA unless the judge was getting a kickback.
Judge Hall is not very bright, but he is very "slick". He does not, really, know the law, but it doesn't matter, anyway.
Guess that is why his palms are so greasy.... What a disgrace!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: PA149
Rating:1.6

Comments:
This judge is unyielding, does not correctly apply the law, does not consider credible evidence, but allows irrelevant evidence and does nothing to make sure trial is orderly or fair.He is obviously influenced in his decisions by outside influences, and issues insulting rulings that cite non-precedential cases no one cares about but him. Does nothing to spped things up - cases drag on while clients incur bills for absolutely nothing. Also has ex-parte or improper communications with other judges and/or lawyers regarding cases before him. Extremely arrogant and obnooxious in his courtroom demeanor, too. The best outcomes are forlocal lawyers who contributed to his campaign/election. Perfect example as to why PA judges should be chosen on merit - not by voters who have no idea who they are choosing.