20 years ago this month:

• The Arkansas Judicial Discipline & Disability Commission admonished a judge who had failed to take timely corrective action when an attorney opened his coat as if he were flashing to reveal a pair of novelty men’s briefs with an elephant’s trunk sewn onto the front, in court chambers, in the presence of other attorneys, police officials, and court personnel, while court business was to be conducted. Letter to Thomas (Arkansas Judicial Discipline & Disability Commission November 21, 1995).

• Approving the recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the Florida Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge for his treatment of a police officer who had given him a ticket and for questioning an attorney ex parte in his chambers about an unflattering newspaper article concerning the judge. Re Steinhardt, 663 So. 2d 616 (Florida 1995).

• Accepting the determination of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the New York Court of Appeals removed a former judge for her involvement with someone who was engaged in drug-dealing and money-laundering schemes. In the Matter of Backal, 660 N.E.2d 1104 (New York 1995).