Words like honor, balance and truth are words that Joe Stauffer takes very seriously. They are words that he lives by, brings to life and reinforces every day.

"You have to balance the law with what benefits the community," said Stauffer. "By being a community member, I know what hurts the community and what doesn't. I'm a softie for kids, and I'm a softie for older people. I'm a big proponent of second chances because I was given some second chances growing up. You have to weigh out what's good for everyone. You have to treat everyone fairly."

Stauffer is nearly a year into his initial six-year term as a magisterial district judge. The former Manheim Borough police chief presides over cases, renders decisions, resolves disputes and rules on minor local law violations at his office at 690 Furnace Hills Pike, Lititz.

Stauffer's magisterial district encompasses Lititz Borough, Warwick Township, Elizabeth Township and Penn Township.

"I want to make sure this office runs with integrity," said Stauffer, a 53-year-old resident of Warwick Township. "This office isn't a warehouse. It's a place where everyone is treated fairly. Fairness is the biggest thing for me, and equal fairness. You have to leave here feeling you've been treated fairly."

Pennsylvania state policemen, local and regional law enforcement officers, lawyers and citizens bring more than 2,200 cases, civil suits and violations before Stauffer each year. Traffic citations are by far the most common, but Stauffer also rules on criminal cases involving drugs, domestic violence, retail theft, search warrants and landlord and tenant disagreements. He presides over more than 30 marriage ceremonies each year.

"I think (the case load) is proportionate to the size of the area and the population density," said Stauffer. "We have a large population, and a lot of (the cases are) related to traffic. There are a lot of moving parts."

In the complex and layered United States judicial system, magisterial district judges represent the most basic level of local justice. Stauffer is one of 19 district justices in Lancaster County, and the size of his case load in Lititz Borough, Warwick Township, Elizabeth Township and Penn Township ranks 10th among those districts.

"Every one is different," said Stauffer. "You can go before me and have a completely different experience than the others. You leave with a different experience, and that's how the system works. What I try to do is treat people with respect, and I hope people leave with that impression."

A 1990 graduate of Warwick High School, Stauffer was elected to his magisterial district judge position in November of 2023 after serving as the chief of Manheim Borough's 18-member police force for 12 years. Stauffer, who earned a degree in criminal justice administration from Alvernia University, possesses an extensive 28-year background in law enforcement.

"When I was nearing retirement as a police chief, I wondered, 'What am I going to do now?'" said Stauffer. "I didn't know what else I was going to do, and the opportunity presented itself. I thought, 'I'm going to go for it.' It felt like a natural transition for me. It's really in my wheelhouse. I've remained in my passion to help people. For me personally, I'm living my best life. I'm helping the community I live in. Now my decisions affect more people more often."