Pennsylvania’s Judicial Conduct Board is reprimanding the President Judge on Lancaster County’s Court of Common Pleas for apparently using his position to get out of a traffic stop in April.
However, the judge won’t face any further penalties.
Police dash cam footage shows that when Judge Dennis Reinaker was pulled over in April, he inappropriately left his car and approached an officer.
When he was told to get back in his vehicle, Reinaker pointedly told the officer, “You better check the registration on this plate soon, mister.”
Police say Reinaker had been stopped for tailgating, but the officer let him go without any citation.
On Monday, the Judicial Conduct Board announced it had completed its investigation of the incident. It said there’s enough evidence to “warrant the filing of charges in the Court of Judicial Discipline,” but that the board opted to publicly release a Letter of Counsel admonishing Reinaker instead.
The board said that’s because Reinaker self-reported the incident, among other things.
The letter dismisses the charges, but indicates it can be used against Reinaker in future misconduct cases.
Reinaker could not immediately be reached for comment.
