About the judge
My background
On December 21, 2015, Gregory Scott was sworn in as a Magisterial District Judge in the 38th Judicial District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Upon his commission he became the first African-American District Judge in Montgomery County and at 28, the youngest sitting Judge in Pennsylvania.
Magisterial District Judge Gregory Scott grew up in a single parent household in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Judge Scott has been active in his community since he was 11 years old. He started on his path of community activism as a sixth grader at Eisenhower Middle School, requesting and securing a meeting with former President Bill Clinton. After that initial meeting with President Clinton, he shared his love and passion for his community so much that President Clinton had to come visit for himself and brought then First Lady Hillary Clinton, Vice President and Mrs. Al Gore.
Judge Scott's activism was quickly followed by his volunteerism in his role as Norristown’s first Junior Borough Councilman, and his role as a First Responder. Since the age of 16, Judge Scott has served as a volunteer with the Norristown Fire Department. Mr. Scott is an active Firefighter at the Fairmount Engine Company #2. Mr. Scott has also responded to numerous emergency calls for assistance in the greater Norristown area as a volunteer E.M.T. with the Plymouth Community Ambulance Association.
Justice starts with community
Putting people first is a proud hallmark of Gregory Scott’s personal and professional career. Whether it was serving as a Deputy Chief of Staff in the United States Congress or at Kenny Gamble’s non-profit organization, Universal Companies. Mr. Scott thrives in managing projects designed to create cultural and entrepreneurial opportunities that break the cycle of generational poverty within historically disenfranchised communities. His recent work as a Team Leader with the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium is no different.
Judge Scott is a graduate of the Renaissance Academy, a public charter school, where he currently serves on the Board of Trustees. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business communications from Chestnut Hill College and a Master of Science in Organization Development Leadership from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Amid his many accomplishments and accolades, Mr. Scott remains grounded in his faith and is a proud member of the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. He is active in Ministry in the Fellowship and Missions communities which has led him to travel to places like Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and South Africa.
Mr. Scott attributes all of his success to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the village that has surrounded him from birth, led by his mother, father and other family, friends and supporters.
Re-imagining Criminal Justice
Judge Scott currently devotes time to creating a 21st century Criminal Justice system.
Judge Scott’s judicial philosophy is grounded in being Trauma Informed. The data establishes a link between trauma, substance abuse and recidivism. Judge Scott understands that for substance abuse to end, and to curb recidivism, trauma needs to be treated. To that end, Judge Scott has taken creative approaches to holding defendants accountable at a level they understand and that is appropriate. Judge Scott’s work in this area has led to all Magisterial District Judges in Pennsylvania receiving an hour of Trauma Informed Care training annually.
Judge Scott is an active member of the the Special Court Judge's Association of Pennsylvania. He has served in a variety of statewide appointed and elected positions. He recently served as Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee and is a member of the Legislative Committee.
In Montgomery County, Judge Scott serves on the Racial Justice Improvement Taskforce and has an active voice in shaping the 38th Judicial District's new Pre-Trial Services Program.
Judge Scott continues to stay active in coordinating with social services programs /organizations that affect the needs of the population that he serves.