Philadelphia Family Court judge resigns after facing domestic violence charges earlier this year.

Michael Fanning, a family court judge in Philadelphia, has officially resigned following domestic violence allegations earlier this year. The resignation, confirmed by a source familiar with the situation, comes amid a turbulent series of events that included serious charges against Fanning, who has served on the bench since 2014.

In March 2023, Fanning faced multiple charges, including aggravated assault and strangulation, after prosecutors alleged he assaulted his wife and adult daughter during a domestic dispute at their Torresdale residence. Reports indicated that Fanning was accused of physically attacking his wife, causing noticeable injuries, and dragging his daughter by her hair, leading to facial injuries. These allegations prompted a significant public outcry and scrutiny regarding Fanning’s role in the judicial system.

However, in July 2023, prosecutors opted to withdraw all charges against Fanning, stating that both women involved did not wish to pursue the case further. Prosecutors cited Fanning’s demonstration of “extensive mitigation” since the incident, though specific details of this mitigation were not disclosed during the hearings. Assistant District Attorney Brian Collins, while discussing the withdrawal of charges, refrained from elaborating on the mitigation evidence presented by Fanning.

Fanning’s road to resignation has been further complicated by his admission to entering a 30-day inpatient recovery program to address alcoholism, which he and his family had previously sought to manage. Following his arrest earlier in the year, the Pennsylvania Court of Discipline suspended Fanning without pay. After the charges were dropped, the court lifted this suspension, stating that there was no longer a valid reason for it to remain in effect.

The Philadelphia judge had been appointed by then-Governor Tom Corbett and had successfully won a 10-year term in 2015, later being retained for another term in November. His resignation presents an opportunity for Governor Josh Shapiro to nominate a replacement for the position until the next judicial election in 2027, pending state senate confirmation.

As of now, the Governor’s office has not commented on the receipt of Fanning’s resignation letter. The developments surrounding Fanning raise questions regarding accountability within the judicial system and highlight the complexities of managing personal misconduct within public roles.

Media News Source continues to monitor this ongoing situation as it unfolds in Philadelphia’s legal and political landscape.