10 years ago this month:

• The California Commission on Judicial Performance admonished a judge who delayed taking a verdict in a murder trial because he was at a baseball game, refusing to allow another judge to take the verdict or to return from the game to take the verdict himself. In the Matter of Zellerbach (California Commission on Judicial Performance August 15, 2006).
• The California Commission on Judicial Performance admonished a judge who remanded a probationer to custody without notice or the opportunity to respond to the charges. In the Matter Concerning Iles (California Commission on Judicial Performance August 16, 2006).
• Granting a joint motion for approval of a recommendation, the Mississippi Supreme Court reprimanded and suspended from office for 30 days without pay a judge who (1) engaged in an ex parte communication with a complainant in a case in which he had a conflict because of his relationship with her husband and subsequently dismissed the complaint when the complainant did not appear for a hearing despite the failure to provide proper notice; (2) intervened with an issuing officer on behalf of an individual who received a ticket and handled the fine money; and (3) remanded 2 charges to the file without requiring the individuals to appear and without contacting the issuing officer. Commission on Judicial Performance v. Cowart, 936 So.2d 343 (Mississippi 2006).
• The Mississippi Supreme Court reprimanded a judge and suspended him from office for 30 days without pay for ex parte communications and setting aside orders handed down by other judges. Commission on Judicial Performance v. Britton, 936 So. 2d 898 (Mississippi 2006).
• The Ohio Supreme Court suspended for 2 years a judge who deceived several doctors into over-prescribing painkillers to which he was addicted; the suspension was stayed on condition that the judge serve a 2-year probation and comply with a 2-year lawyers’ assistance program recovery contract. Disciplinary Counsel v. Ault, 852 N.E.2d 727 (Ohio 2006).
• The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct reprimanded a judge who (1) assisted his wife’s guardianship company obtain an exclusive contract with the county to provide services to the probate court and (2) made numerous court appointments to a friend and business partner who owed him money. Public Reprimand of Windle (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct August 31, 2006).
• The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct reprimanded a former judge for failing to obtain the required judicial education for 2005. Public Reprimand of Lewis (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct August 31, 2006).
• Based on a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct admonished a judge for urging those at a sentencing hearing to cheer for the Seattle Seahawks. In the Matter of Grant, Stipulation, agreement, and order (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct August 4, 2006).
• Based on a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct admonished a judge for requiring a woman who was attending court in support of a relative to remove the head scarf she wore for religious reasons or leave his courtroom. In the Matter of Ladenburg, Stipulation, agreement, and order (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct August 4, 2006).
• Based on a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct admonished a judge for making comments to jurors who had rendered a guilty verdict that reasonably created the impression in the jurors’ minds that they had reached the wrong verdict, failed the system, and/or disappointed the judge. In the Matter of Austin, Stipulation, agreement, and order (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct August 4, 2006).