A Lancaster County district judge pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges of misconduct for twice punching a police officer during a June 10 altercation.

In a deal worked out just prior to a hearing in Harrisburg before the state's Judicial Conduct Board, District Judge Maynard A. "Bud" Hamilton, whose district covers Pequea, Strasburg and West Lampeter townships and Strasburg Borough, admitted punching Sgt. Robert Buser of Southern Regional Police Department at a golf course.

Hamilton is accused of engaging in conduct that brings the judicial office into disrepute, failing to respect and comply with the law and failing to conduct himself at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.

"The complaint speaks for itself," said Joseph A. Massa Jr., chief counsel for the Judicial Conduct Board, following the hearing in Commonwealth Court. "He pled to the charges. That's all we were after."

Judge Paul P. Panepinto, presiding magistrate of the three-judge panel, gave Massa and Hamilton's attorney, Merrill M. Spahn Jr., 20 days to hand in their legal arguments on the case.

The panel will then issue a recommendation to the Court of Judicial Discipline, which consists of eight judges. That court will decide what, if any, punishment will be meted out to Hamilton.

The court could publicly admonish him; suspend him for a specified time period, with or without pay; or permanently remove him from office and revoke his retirement benefits.

No date was set for when the recommendation will be handed down.

For now, Hamilton is allowed to continue working as a district judge.

According to court documents, friction between the district justice and the police officer began June 8. Buser, who attended Wednesday's hearing, was in Hamilton's office at 324 Beaver Valley Pike when Hamilton asked him to provide a year's worth of work assignments from the Southern Regional Police Department.

When Buser told him he could provide assignments covering only three months, the complaint says Hamilton "became angry and argued with Sergeant Buser for several minutes."

The trouble boiled over June 10 during a birthday party for a mutual friend at Crossgates Golf Course in Manor Township. Hamilton and Buser got into an argument, and Hamilton allegedly yelled, "I have had enough of your (expletive). I am not going to take anymore. Let's go downstairs and take care of this man to man. I'm gonna kick your ass."

Buser followed Hamilton down the stairs, according to the complaint, with the intent of continuing the discussion.

Hamilton, however, struck him and knocked his glasses off. Buser picked up his glasses and told Hamilton he would have to pay to repair them. He also told Hamilton he was going to call the police.

According to the complaint, Hamilton said calling the police would do no good and again struck Buser.

After going back upstairs, Hamilton allegedly told Buser's wife that she should "go pick your piece of (expletive) husband up off the floor."

An item both parties deleted from the complaint as a part of Wednesday's agreement pertained to Hamilton later boasting about having punched Buser at a monthly luncheon meeting with other district judges.

No criminal charges have ever been brought against Hamilton in connection with the incident.

Lancaster County Chief County Detective Michael Landis conducted an investigation and determined there would be probable cause to charge Hamilton with simple assault.

Hamilton, however, was not charged because Buser declined to cooperate.

Crossgates Golf Course also declined to press charges against Hamilton for disorderly conduct.

The state judicial conduct board launched its investigation after receiving an anonymous complaint in July.

Hamilton and Buser left the courtroom together following the hearing.

Buser declined comment, but Hamilton said he is glad to "get this incident behind me."

"Bob and I are friends again," Hamilton said as he and Buser entered the elevator.

Spahn, Hamilton's attorney, said he will "reserve comment" until a final decision is reached.

E-mail: lalexander@lnpnews.com