- The California Commission on Judicial Performance admonished a judge for a pattern of failing to disclose the campaign contributions of attorneys who appeared before him after the election. In the Matter Concerning Walsh, Decision and order (California Commission on Judicial Performance February 10, 2016).
- The California Commission on Judicial Performance admonished a judge for providing a deputy district attorney with ex parte feedback on her trial performance while sentencing was still pending, telling her they would be “discreet” and “this conversation never happened.” In the Matter of Scott, Decision and order (California Commission on Judicial Performance February 17, 2016).
- Based on the judge’s stipulation and consent, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline reprimanded a judge for initiating or participating in a telephone conversation with the deputy district attorney regarding the release of a defendant from jail on his own recognizance and regarding the judge’s disqualification, failing to disqualify himself, releasing the defendant on his own recognizance before receiving the deputy district attorney’s motion contesting the release, and then disqualifying himself without sufficient reason. In the Matter of Fletcher, Stipulation and order of consent to public reprimand (Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline February 12, 2016). The judge also agreed to complete a course at the National Judicial College.
- The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline permanently barred a former judge from serving in any elected or appointed judicial office in the state based on his federal plea agreement to charges related to a scheme to defraud that included use of his judicial position to increase the credibility of the scheme. In the Matter of Jones, Findings of fact, conclusions of law, and imposition of discipline (Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline March 1, 2016).
- Based on the judge’s consent, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline reprimanded a judge for independently investigating the father in a paternity case and then holding him in contempt without following procedures required by due process and failing to enter a visitation order in the case for over a year. In the Matter of Wanker, Stipulation and order of consent (Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline March 3, 2016). The judge also agreed to complete 2 courses at the National Judicial College.
- Accepting a stipulation based on the judge’s agreement to resign and never seek or accept judicial office, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct discontinued a proceeding against a judge who had pled guilty to fourth degree grand larceny, admitting that she stole over $1,000 from bank accounts belonging to a pee wee association, for which she was treasurer, at the bank where she was employed. In the Matter of Powers, Decision and order (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct February 8, 2016).
- Adopting findings of fact and misconduct, which the parties had stipulated, the Ohio Supreme Court permanently disbarred a former judge who was convicted in federal court in 2011 on 1 count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and 2 counts of honest-services mail fraud in connection with his judicial duties. Disciplinary Counsel v. Terry (Ohio Supreme Court February 25, 2016).
- The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct admonished a judge who, after taking a case under advisement following a bench trial, entered a written judgment that was inconsistent with the amount of damages sought and presented at trial, failed to provide notice of the entry of the lower judgment to the parties, failed to afford the parties an opportunity to be heard on the legal issue that resulted in the lower judgment, and failed to announce the final judgment in open court as required by law. Public Admonition of Contreras (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct January 28, 2016). The Commission also ordered the judge to obtain 2 hours of instruction with a mentor, in addition to his required judicial education.
Judicial ethics and discipline 