10 years ago this month:

• Accepting a recommendation of a hearing panel of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the Florida Supreme Court removed a judge who had practiced law while still a judge and advised a client to flee the country rather than face prosecution. Inquiry Concerning Henson, 913 So. 2d 579 (Florida 2005).

• With the judge’s consent and in lieu of filing formal charges, the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications publicly admonished a judge for ordering law enforcement to assist in returning a child to the custodial parent without giving the other parent a right to be heard. Public Admonition of Haile (Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualification October 17, 2005).

• Pursuant to the recommendation of the Commission on Judicial Qualifications, the Kansas Supreme Court removed a judge for repeatedly, over an extended period, looking at adult web-sites on his office computer in violation of a judicial district’s administrative order. In the Matter of Robertson, 618 S.E.2d 897 (Kansas 2005).

• The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a judge who failed to properly exercise the summary contempt power. In the Matter of Hart, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct October 20, 2005).

• The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge who failed to properly exercise the summary contempt power. In the Matter of Lawrence, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct October 20, 2005).

• Based on an agreed statements of facts and joint recommendations, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured 2 co-judges who together signed a letter announcing they would not enforce the speed limit on a particular road because the speed limit signs were illegally posted and dismissed charges in several cases consistent with that announcement.  One of the judges also engaged in highly visible public advocacy against a local road closure by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and rendered dispositions contrary to law in numerous cases brought by the Department.  In the Matter of Barringer, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct October 11, 2005) ; In the Matter of Wright, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct October 11, 2005).

• Approving an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a non-lawyer judge for sending a letter on court stationery ordering an individual to stop band rehearsals after meeting ex parte with both sides to the dispute but in the absence of any proceeding. In the Matter of Glover, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct October 11, 2005).

• Accepting the recommendation of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, the Ohio Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge for his role in creating and airing television ads attacking his opponent. Disciplinary Counsel v. Spicer, 834 N.E.2d 332 (Ohio 2005).

• Approving a stipulation, the Oregon Supreme Court publicly censured a former judge for making a statement to a caseworker about one of the parties in a termination of parental rights case and, during the investigation by the Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability, denying any recollection of having said anything to the caseworker regarding the case. Inquiry Concerning Lemery, 120 P.3d 1221 (Oregon 2005).

• Granting a petition of the Commission on Judicial Tenure & Discipline, the Rhode Island Supreme Court publicly censured a judge for (1) failing to adhere to the directives of the chief judge regarding attendance and the ability of litigants to pay fines of lieu of having to appear in cases; (2) engaging in an ex parte conversation with a litigant; and (3) engaging in misconduct at the police station following an arrest. In re Yashar, 885 A.2d 152 (Rhode Island 2005).

• Accepting an agreement for discipline by consent, the South Carolina Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge for using his judicial office to evade the policies of the jurisdiction in which he had been arrested to obtain a non-scheduled bond hearing and early release from jail. In the Matter of Mendelsohn, 621 S.E.2d 661 (South Carolina 2005).

• Accepting an agreement for discipline, the South Carolina Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge for (1) arranging for an early bond hearing for another judge and (2) a racial remark. In the Matter of Gosnell, 621 S.E.2d 659 (South Carolina 2005).

• The Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for (1) 2 instances in which she yelled in anger at court employees and (2) 1 proceeding in which she yelled at a non-compliant criminal defendant and told him to “shut up.” In the Matter of Jasprica, Stipulation, Agreement, and Order (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct October 28, 2005).

• Pursuant to a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly reprimanded a judge for accepting compensation for solemnizing marriages during the hours the courthouse in which the judge serves is regularly open to the public for business. In the Matter of Ryan, Stipulation, Agreement, and Order (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct October 28, 2005).