On Tuesday, the Judicial Conduct Board filed formal charges by Board Complaint in the Court of Judicial Discipline against Philadelphia Traffic Court Judges Michael J. Sullivan and Michael Lowry, former Philadelphia Traffic Court Judge Thomasine Tynes, and former Delaware County Magisterial District Judge Kenneth Miller.
The Board Complaints allege violations of the Pennsylvania Constitution and the Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges which apply to Philadelphia Traffic Court Judges, as well as Magisterial District Judges.
Under the Pennsylvania Constitution, the judges and former judges who are the subject of the charges are presumed innocent in all proceedings before the Court of Judicial Discipline. The Board has the burden of proving the charges by clear and convincing evidence.
In accordance with the rules which govern proceedings before the Court of Judicial Discipline, the judges and former judges each have an opportunity to respond to the charges, obtain and inspect the evidence which forms the basis of the allegations, and the right to a public trial before the Court of Judicial Discipline.
Upon completion of any trials, if the Court determines that any of the charges have been proven by clear and convincing evidence, it will schedule Sanctions Hearings for the individual judges or former judges to determine what sanction or sanctions should be imposed. Possible sanctions include reprimand, suspension, or removal from office.
