20 years ago this month:

• Following the recommendation of the Commission on Judicial Performance, the California Supreme Court removed a judge for, in addition to other misconduct, failing to report several loans on her annual statement of economic interests; failing, with her husband, to list at least 6 creditors on a voluntary petition of bankruptcy; being habitually tardy in commencing court sessions; and asking 2 material witnesses not to cooperate with the Commission’s agents during its investigation. Doan v. Commission on Judicial Performance, 902 P.2d 272 (California 1995).

• Approving a stipulation, the Florida Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge for issuing a bench warrant for the immediate arrest of a witness who had not been properly served. Inquiry Concerning Graziano, 661 So. 2d 819 (Florida 1995).

• Following the recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the Georgia Supreme Court removed a judge who had (1) refused to set appeal bonds for 2 misdemeanor defendants when the law clearly obligated her to do so, (2) issued bench warrants for the arrest of 2 defendants when their attorney was late even though the defendants had been in court, and (3) forced a defendant to enter a plea of guilty in the absence of his counsel. In the Matter of Vaughn, 462 S.E.2d 728 (Georgia 1995).

• Pursuant to a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly reprimanded a judge for a pattern of inappropriate, insensitive, and/or offensive comments from the bench. In the Matter of Warren, Stipulation, Agreement, and Order (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct October 13, 1995).