In 2015, as a result of disciplinary proceedings, 115 judges in 27 states were publicly found to have committed misconduct.

• 9 judges were removed from office, including 1 former judge and 1 judge who was removed for a mental disability. A $3,500 fine was also imposed in one of the removal cases.
• 2 judges were retired due to permanent disabilities.
• 19 judges or former judges resigned or retired in lieu of discipline pursuant to public agreements with conduct commissions.
• 85 additional judges (or former judges in approximately 10 cases) received other public sanctions. Approximately half of the sanctions were entered pursuant to agreement.
  • 15 judges were suspended without pay.
    • 1 suspension was for 180 days
    • 1 for 4 months plus a reprimand
    • 2 for 90 days
    • 1 for 60 days plus a censure
    • 1 for 30 days plus a reprimand and $10,000 fine
    • 1 for 30 days plus a reprimand and $1,000 fine
    • 1 for 30 days plus a censure
    • 4 for 30 days (or 1 month)
    • 1 for 15 days
    • 1 for 7 days
    • 1 for 2 years but stayed on condition the judge commit no further misconduct
  • 11 judges were publicly censured (1 censure was severe and 1 was based on the judge’s irrevocable resignation).
  • 31 judges were publicly reprimanded (1 reprimand also included a cease and desist order, 2 included orders of additional education).
  • 17 judges were publicly admonished (1 admonishment also included an order of additional education).
  • 3 judges received public warnings (2 warnings also included orders of additional education).
  • Civil penalties were imposed on 2 judges for failing to file their financial disclosure reports.
  • 1 judge was placed on supervised probation with other conditions, including a formal mentorship until the end of her term.
  • 1 private reprimand and 1 private letter of counsel were made public pursuant to the judges’ waivers.
  • 1 former judge’s law license was suspended for 1 year in attorney discipline proceedings for her conduct as a judge.
  • 2 judges were found to have violated the code of judicial conduct but no sanctions were imposed.