10 years ago this months:

• Based on a stipulation and joint recommendation, the Illinois Courts Commission publicly reprimanded a judge who pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and volunteered his status as a judge to the DUI investigator. In re Nordquist, Order (Illinois Courts Commission August 9, 2007).
• Based on the recommendation of the Judicial Standards Board, the Minnesota Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge for his ex parte handling of a traffic ticket belonging to the son of a court clerk and his attempt to influence the testimony of the clerk in the Board’s investigation. Inquiry into Murphy, 737 N.W.2d 355 (Minnesota 2007).
• Based on the recommendation of the Board of Judicial Standards, the Minnesota Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge for his ex parte handling of a traffic ticket belonging to a clerk’s husband. Inquiry into Stacey, 737 N.W.2d 345 (Minnesota 2007).
• Based on an agreed statement of facts and proposed recommendation, the Mississippi Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge who pled guilty to driving under the influence, first charge. Commission on Judicial Performance v. Westfaul, 962 So.2d 555 (Mississippi 2007).
• Based on an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for failing to take any action in 1 small claims case, delaying hearings from 4 to 10 months in 5 small claims cases, and delaying decisions from 23 to 33 months in 2 small claims cases. In the Matter of Scolton, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct August 1, 2007).
• Based on an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge who had delayed rendering judgments for up to 23 months in 10 cases and deciding motions in 12 cases and failed to report the delayed cases as required. In the Matter of Robichaud, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct August 1, 2007).
• Based on an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a non-lawyer judge who presided over a case involving a defendant with whom she had a professional and social relationship and with whom she had discussed the facts ex parte, granted an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal without notice to the district attorney as required by law, and extended an order of protection after discussing the matter ex parte with the complaining witness. In the Matter of Valcich, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct August 21, 2007).
• Pursuant to the judge’s agreement, the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission publicly reprimanded a judge for using his official position and influence to suggest a bond in a matter in which he had a personal interest. In re Jarrell, Public Reprimand (North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission August 14, 2007).
• Based on the recommendation of the Judicial Standards Commission, the North Carolina Supreme Court publicly censured a judge for speaking ex parte with an attorney representing a defendant in an action to recover unpaid child support and striking an order entered by a different judge finding the defendant in contempt. In re Royster, 648 S.E.2d 837 (North Carolina 2007).
• The Pennsylvania Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Court of Judicial Discipline removing a judge from office for routinely using improper and offensive language with his staff. In re Berkhimer, 930 A.2d 1255 (Pennsylvania 2007).
• Accepting an agreement for discipline by consent, the South Carolina Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a retired magistrate for helping out the county on 2 tickets. In the Matter of White, 650 S.E.2d 73 (South Carolina 2007).
• Based on a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for writing a letter to a sentencing judge on behalf of a defendant. In re Bonner, Stipulation, Agreement, and Order (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct August 3, 2007).