5 years ago this month:

• The Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct informally reprimanded a judge for numerous improper ex parte communications with the parties on 1 side of a case. Jayne, Order (Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct July 26, 2011).
• The Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct informally reprimanded a judge for making derogatory statements toward a litigant who was also a hearing officer and toward another judge. Parker, Order (Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct July 26, 2011).
• The California Commission on Judicial Performance admonished a judge for (1) in a domestic violence case, remarks that articulated stereotypes about 2 ethnic groups and comments that gave the appearance she had already accepted the petitioner’s version of events before hearing the defense case and (2) granting a mistrial in a family court case “for reasons peculiar” to her own calendar. Public Admonishment of Pollard (California Commission on Judicial Performance July 13, 2011).
• Accepting the recommendation of the Judiciary Commission based on a stipulation, the Louisiana Supreme Court censured a judge for failing to immediately recuse from a divorce case despite his long-standing, close friendship with both parties, continuing to socialize with the husband and having ex parte conversations with him when a custody dispute arose, and signing an ex parte order giving the husband interim physical custody of their child that was contrary to statutory requirements. In re Badeaux, 65 So. 3d 1273 (Louisiana 2011).
• Based on a stipulation in which the judge agreed never to serve as a judge again, the Neva­da Commission on Judicial Discipline permanently prohibited a former judge from seeking or accepting any judicial office of any kind in any location in Nevada for repeatedly engaging in ex­tremely inappropriate and offensive comments and actions with court staff even after being advised that his conduct was unacceptable and offensive. In the Matter of EnEarl, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Consent Order Imposing Discipline (July 1, 2011).
• The New Hampshire Judicial Conduct Committee reprimanded a retired judge for his demeanor in 3 criminal cases. Jones, Reprimand (New Hampshire Judicial Conduct Committee July 9, 2011).
• Accepting an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct admonished a part-time judge who took judicial action in 9 cases in which a client of the judge’s law firm represented a party. In the Matter of Shults, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct July 7, 2011).
• Based on an agreed statement of facts, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct censured a judge who presided at an arraignment when the defendant was his co-judge’s son and the complaining witness was his co-judge. In the Matter of Ridsdale, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct July 20, 2011).
• The North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission reprimanded a judge for asking another judge to remit costs and a fine in a case involving the elected register of deeds. Public Reprimand of Hayes (North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission July 26, 2011).
• The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct reprimanded a judge for, during the magistration of a college student charged with the theft of an Aggie ring, displaying his own Aggie ring, advising the student that he should consider attending another school, and relying on information not contained or charged in the probable cause affidavit to enhance the standard bond for a state jail felony from $5,000 to $50,000. Public Reprimand and Order of Additional Education of Boyett (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct July 11, 2011).
• Pursuant to a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct reprimanded a judge for driving while intoxicated and hit and run. In re Lyman, Stipulation, Agreement, and Order of Reprimand (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct July 8, 2011).
• Pursuant to a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct reprimanded a judge for summarily holding a domestic violence complainant in contempt after she recanted a statement she had given to the police. In re Shelton, Stipulation, Agreement, and Order of Reprimand (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct July 8, 2011).