On Monday, January 12, 2026, the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline appointed John A. Hipple as the Conference Judge in the case against Magisterial District Judge Amy L. Zanelli of Lehigh County. This appointment comes amidst formal misconduct charges filed against Zanelli by the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board.
The charges allege multiple violations of the rules governing the Standards of Conduct of Magisterial Judges. The accusations stem from several incidents, including the alleged existence of a “Book of Grudges” and the display of a sexually explicit calendar within her office.
The “Book of Grudges,” reportedly resembling an ancient tome, allegedly contained disparaging remarks about a local attorney and critical notes concerning individuals involved in landlord-tenant disputes who appeared before Judge Zanelli. The complaint alleges Zanelli encouraged her staff to contribute to the book, which was kept in a common work area until its removal in early 2024. In addition to the book, Zanelli is accused of displaying a desk calendar with explicit sexual messages in a general work area of the office after her election.
The Judicial Conduct Board also detailed an incident involving a defendant in Zanelli’s courtroom. According to the complaint, Zanelli allegedly ordered a defendant, who murmured during a victim’s testimony, to leave the courtroom and sit in the hallway. She then allegedly carried the defendant’s chair into the hallway, instructed him to remain there until the victim finished testifying, and denied his request to hear the proceedings. The defendant was later allowed back into the courtroom but allegedly denied the opportunity to cross-examine the victim, only being permitted to argue for dismissal. Zanelli ultimately found the defendant guilty.
Further accusations include instances of inappropriate behavior toward a county court employee in April 2022, involving ignoring attempts to correct a statement made in court and using profanity. She also allegedly slammed her hands on the bench and yelled at the employee after being asked about adding a Mental Illness Substance Abuse (MISA) designation to a defendant’s bail conditions. The board alleges Zanelli habitually used profanity with her staff and other court personnel.
The complaint also cites instances of Zanelli being frequently late for court proceedings and absent from court during normal judicial business hours. It is alleged that she conducted preliminary hearings and arraignments from her home via Zoom while recovering from surgery, without obtaining permission from the President Judge of Lehigh County.
According to the Judicial Conduct Board, if the charges are proven, a hearing will be scheduled to determine potential sanctions, which could include censure, suspension, fines, or removal from office.
Zanelli declined to comment but directed inquiries to her attorney, Sam Stretton. Stretton stated that Zanelli is in therapy and intends to run for reelection next year. A hearing date is expected to be scheduled soon after Stretton files a response to the complaint.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
