Pa. judge accused of dismissing own tickets suspended

LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — A central Pennsylvania judge accused of using her position to dismiss traffic citations against her own car has been suspended with pay.

The state’s judicial conduct board announced the action today in the case of 43-year-old Magisterial District Judge Kelly Ballentine.

The Lancaster County judge was charged last week with conflict of interest, tampering with public records and obstructing the administration of law or other governmental function.

Authorities allege that Lancaster police cited Ballentine’s car three times in November 2010 for parking violations and expired registration, and the judge accessed the judicial system and dismissed the summonses.

WHP-TV says Ballentine surrendered today to authorities and was arraigned before a magisterial district judge. She was released on $25,000 unsecured bail and ordered to have no contact with witnesses in the case.