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Judge Christina E. Hale grew up in Frackville. A daughter of Thomas F. Hale and Cheryl L. Pastucka, Judge Hale attended North Schuylkill School District. As a Spartan, Judge Hale participated in many school organizations including S.A.D.D. and Honor Society as well as being a member of the soccer and swim teams. She was an 8-time Schuylkill League gold medalist in swimming, 4-time District 11 silver medalist, and 4-time state championship qualifier. Judge Hale still holds the school record in the 100-yard butterfly, a record that has stood since 1993. She attributes much of her current career success to lessons she learned from participating in sports, including self-discipline, goal setting, and teamwork.

After graduating from North Schuylkill High School in 1994, Judge Hale attended Pennsylvania State University, University Park, graduating in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in history. She furthered her education at the Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle, graduating in May 2001 with a juris doctorate degree. While in law school she was chosen as the recipient of the Cherie T. Millage fellowship and the Miernicki Scholarship. She passed the bar exam in July 2001 and immediately began practicing law as an attorney for the next 12 years. Areas of practice included personal injury plaintiff work, wrongful death cases, social security disability, workers' compensation, and municipal law where she served as solicitor to the Boroughs of Frackville, Tremont, and Tamaqua, as well as West Mahanoy and Frailey Townships.

Throughout her legal career Judge Hale dedicated herself to providing exceptional legal services to clients. She was honored to have been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer "Rising Star" for five consecutive years, from 2005 through 2010, as published in Philadelphia Magazine.

In 2011 Judge Hale was elected to her current position as Magisterial District Judge in District 21-2-01, and was re-elected in 2017 for her second six-year term. With her background as an attorney, Judge Hale was well prepared to serve the office of District Judge with extensive legal knowledge and experience.

Judge Hale is well respected by her peers and constituents. She runs her courtroom with impartiality and integrity, taking pride in treating everyone who appears before her with kindness, compassion, and respect. She also serves as a member of the Schuylkill County Drug Court, a special needs court that helps addicted offenders overcome their addiction and legal problems through a specialized approach.

Judge Hale is passionate about community outreach and educating youth on the law and judicial system. She has been asked to be a guest speaker in nearly every school district in Schuylkill County, lecturing on topics including cyberbullying, distracted driving, and social media. She was named Frackville Elks 2020 Citizen of the Year. Judge Hale currently serves as a Judge in the Court of Common Pleas at the Schuylkill County Courthouse.

Judge Hale lives in Butler Township with her husband Howard C. Smith, daughter Abigail Smith, and two Labradors, Murphy and Daisy. She enjoys staying active, coaching her daughter's youth sports teams, travelling, boxing, and spending time with her family.