5 years ago this month:

• The Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct reprimanded a judge for advertising for his wedding services on his personal web-site. Jayne, Order (Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct November 16, 2011).
• The Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct reprimanded a judge for several improper ex parte communications in a case. Jayne, Order (Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct November 16, 2011).
• Pursuant to the judge’s agreement, the Arkansas Judicial Discipline & Disability Commission reprimanded a judge for driving while intoxicated. Harper, Letter of reprimand (Arkansas Judicial Discipline & Disability Commission November 18, 2011).
• Pursuant to the judge’s agreement, the Arkansas Judicial Discipline & Disability Commission censured a judge for presiding while intoxicated and other public incidents in which he was under the influence of alcohol. Harper, Letter of censure (Arkansas Judicial Discipline & Disability Commission November 18, 2011).
• The California Commission on Judicial Performance admonished a former judge for (1) making comments in a case about the district attorney’s office that created an appearance of bias and were disparaging, undignified, and discourteous; (2) failing to disclose that he was actively considering running for district attorney in a case in which the conduct of the incumbent D.A. was an issue; (3) recommending that the deputy district attorneys’ association delay its endorsement decision; and (4) allowing his judicial title to be used to raise money to retire debt from his campaign for district attorney. In the Matter of Zellerbach, Decision and order (California Commission on Judicial Performance November 3, 2011).
• Approving the recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the Florida Supreme Court removed a judge from office for (1) attempting to force himself into a court employee’s personal and private life; (2) accepting a campaign contribution from his mother that far exceeded the $500 statutory limit; (3) filing a notice of appearance to represent his mother in foreclosure proceedings and communicating with counsel for the mortgagee on her behalf; and (4) offsetting a juvenile’s court costs in exchange for the juvenile’s earring. Inquiry Concerning Turner, 76 So. 3d 898 (Florida 2011).
• The Illinois Courts Commission censured a judge for a conversation with another judge about a case involving a shop owner with whom the judge had discussed detailing his car. In re Simpson, Order (Illinois Courts Commission November 7, 2011).
• The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications admonished a judge for an invitation to a campaign fund-raiser that gave the appearance that specific contributions would result in particular rulings. Public Admonition of Pierson-Treacy (Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications November 29, 2011).
• Agreeing with the findings and recommendation of a 3-member hearing panel, the Minnesota Supreme Court suspended a judge without pay for 6 months and censured her for failing to reside within her judicial district for 3 months and failing to cooperate and be candid and honest during the Judicial Standards Board’s investigation. Inquiry into Karasov, 805 N.W.2d 255 (Minnesota 2011).
• The Mississippi Supreme Court suspended a judge without pay for 30 days and reprimanded her for attempting to influence a Florida judge in a matter involving a defendant who was a member of a family with whom the judge was friends. Commission on Judicial Performance v. Dearman, 73 So. 3d 1140 (Mississippi 2011).
• Accepting an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct admonished a non-lawyer judge for regularly holding court in his chambers for approximately 7 years. In the Matter of Riordan, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct November 9, 2011).
• Accepting an agreed statement of facts, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct censured a non-lawyer judge for intervening with a police officer about a friend’s traffic case that was returnable before his co-judge. In the Matter of Hunt, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct November 9, 2011).
• Based on an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct admonished a judge who had used a palm card in her campaign that could be construed as representing she had been endorsed by the New York Times when she had not received that endorsement. In the Matter of Michels, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct November 17, 2011).
• Based on an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct censured a part-time judge who represented 4 clients in matters in his court in the 7 months following his appointment. In the Matter of Shanley, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct November 14, 2011).