Michael J. Faulkner at a glance
- Current role
- Magisterial District Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Pennsylvania · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael J. Faulkner
Magisterial District Judge · Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court 31-3-02
Biography
Professional career
- Michael Faulkner serves as a Magisterial District Judge in Alburtis Borough, Lower Macungie, and Upper Macungie townships in Judicial District 31-3-02, Pennsylvania
Education
- Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Shippensburg University and has completed over 300 hours of continuing education to maintain judicial proficiency.
Additional information
- He has been a resident of the district for over 30 years and was first elected to the bench in 2012, with a subsequent re-election in 2018.
- Retired as a professional handler in 1995 and transitioned to judging, now approved to judge all Sporting breeds and numerous other breeds across five of the seven AKC groups.
- Faulkner has bred and exhibited Golden Retrievers, Field Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, Pointers, and Pugs, achieving multiple Best in Show wins.
- Faulkner emphasizes evaluating dogs according to breed standards
- focusing on subtle nuances in movement, mechanics, and presentation, and mentoring new judges in Gundog breeds
- Separately, Michael Faulkner is a renowned dog show judge with decades of experience in the sport of purebred dogs.
- Began in Junior Showmanship and assisted with his family’s kennel and breeding program.
- Faulkner previously served over 20 years as an Allentown Police officer, retiring as the vice and intelligence unit commander.
- He has judged at prestigious events including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, AKC National Championships, and international competitions.
- Faulkner credits his expertise to mentorship from prominent breeders and judges, including Peggy Grayson, and has spent decades studying Gundog breeds with leading English breeders.
- Faulkner is active in community outreach, speaking to students about legal responsibilities, drug and alcohol awareness, and judicial functions, and he also teaches at the Allentown Police Academy
- He has overseen over 100,000 cases, including landlord-tenant disputes, civil actions, criminal arrests, traffic offenses, truancy, game commission violations, and Protection From Abuse orders.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Exhibits
Statewide
For Pennsylvania Common Pleas proceedings, statewide Pa.R.J.A. 1910 prohibits courtroom broadcasting, recording, and photography unless an exception or judicial authorization applies; the rule also recognizes judge-authorized electronic or photographic means for evidence presentation.
the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom ↗
Sources
Identity source checked July 27, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 27, 2026.
Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania official judicial roster ↗201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View 201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom ↗