The Judicial Conduct Board has decided not to bring formal disciplinary charges against Lancaster County’s president judge after he appeared to invoke his judicial office during a tense traffic stop earlier this year. The disciplinary body has instead sent the judge a “letter of counsel,” which is an informal measure that can be used against the judge if any future disciplinary issues arise.

The JCB made public Monday afternoon that it had sent Lancaster County President Judge Dennis Reinaker a letter of counsel earlier this month, after finding that he violated a provision of the Judicial Code of Conduct barring judges from “impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.” Along with making the letter public, the announcement said the board felt the letter was merited because the president judge had self-reporter the incident, the incident was an isolated event, and Reinaker was cooperative with the investigation.