Stephen G. Baratta graduated from Bangor Area High School in 1974, Lafayette College in 1978, and Fordham University School of Law in 1981.  He was admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1981, when he began his private practice in Easton, Pennsylvania. In 1992, Baratta was appointed to be the First Assistant District Attorney for Northampton County.

Stephen was elected Judge in November 1997 to the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas for a ten-year term, commencing January 1, 1998. In 2007 and in 2017, Baratta was retained for his second and third terms. In 2013, Baratta was elected President Judge for Northampton County and served for five years until his term expired in May of 2018. For the last fifteen years, he has been the Administrative Judge of Juvenile Court, and as part of his duties and responsibilities he oversaw the operations of the Northampton County Juvenile Justice and Treatment Center.  He also served as Administrative Judge to Domestic Relations, the Asbestos Docket, Criminal Court, and Custody Court. During his 25 years serving as Judge, he has presided over many civil and criminal trials and earned a reputation for being tough but fair while finding new solutions to improve the County’s judicial system. Stephen announced his retirement from the bench in November 2022. He was elected District Attorney in 2023 with a term ending 12-31-2027