10 years ago this month

• The California Commission on Judicial Performance admonished a judge for driving while intoxicated and failing to report his arrest to the Commission. In the Matter Concerning Alvarez, Decision and order (California Commission on Judicial Performance December 27, 2005).
• Approving the findings and recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission based on stipulated facts and an agreement, the Florida Supreme Court ordered a judge to appear before it to be reprimanded for ordering law enforcement officials to release from custody a DUI suspect whose father the judge had known for 15 years and who had been arrested while the judge’s son was a passenger in the car. Inquiry Concerning Maloney, 916 So. 2d 786 (Florida 2005).
• The Indiana Supreme Court suspended a judge for 60 days without pay for discharging a magistrate in retaliation for testimony she provided during a previous disciplinary matter against the judge and knowingly providing fallacious excuses for the discharge to the Commission on Judicial Qualifications and under oath. In the Matter of Danikolas, 838 N.E.2d 422 (Indiana 2005).
• Based on an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct censured a part-time judge who appeared in court as an attorney while under the influence of alcohol and, later that same day, took the bench although he was unable to continue to preside because he was impaired. In the Matter of Gilpatric, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct December 14, 2005).
• Based on a stipulation, the Ohio Supreme Court reprimanded a judge who took action in a case after the administrative judge had ordered her recusal. State Bar Association v. Goldie, 837 N.E.2d 782 (Ohio 2005).
• Based on a stipulation and agreement, a panel of appellate court judges sitting as a temporary supreme court reprimanded a justice of the Ohio Supreme Court for driving while under the influence of alcohol. In re Complaint Against Resnick, 842 N.E.2d 31 (Ohio 2005).
• Based on stipulated facts and an agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct censured a former pro tem judge who had pled guilty to federal felony charges of failing to file a currency transaction report. In re Vanderveen, Stipulation, agreement, and order (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct December 9, 2005).
• Adopting the recommendations of the Judicial Inquiry Board, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals censured a judge and imposed 4 consecutive 1-year suspensions without pay and 4 fines of $5,000 for inappropriate sexual contact with 4 different women on 4 separate occasions while performing his official duties. In the Matter of Toler, 625 S.E.2d 731 (West Virginia 2005).