25 years ago this month:

• In a public letter, the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission admonished a judge for directing 3 teenagers into a police station to be charged with disorderly conduct after he observed 2 of them making an obscene gesture in front of a slain police officers’ memorial while the third took their picture; directing the police department to seize the camera and develop the film; presiding at their criminal trial; and then directing that they perform community service. Letter to Watt (Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission November 24, 1992).
• In a public letter, the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission admonished a judge for, during a court hearing, reaching across and grabbing a pack of cigarettes rolled in the sleeve of a litigant’s t-shirt, tearing the sleeve, and using inappropriate language toward the litigant. Letter to Hodnett (Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission November 24, 1992).
• Accepting the determination of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the New York Court of Appeals removed a judge from office for continuing to act as a fiduciary in several estates after becoming a judge, continuing to perform business or legal services for clients, and maintaining a business and financial relationship with his former law firm, which had an active practice before his court. In the Matter of Moynihan, 604 N.E.2d 136 (New York 1992).
• Pursuant to an agreed statement of facts, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct admonished a judge for failing to fully review bail bonds presented to him and, as a result, approving bail bonds presented by someone who was not authorized to do so and ordering the release of defendants on bonds that could not be used to secure their appearance in court. In the Matter of Corning, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct November 4, 1992).