20 years ago this month:

• Pursuant to the judge’s consent, the California Commission on Judicial Performance publicly admonished a judge for (1) referring to 2 female juveniles charged with battery as “b****es” during an in-chambers conference with counsel and (2) commenting that a male juvenile defendant who had appeared to charge the judge did not have a “chinaman’s chance” of reaching him. Inquiry Concerning Stevens, Decision and order (California Commission on Judicial Performance February 19, 1998).
• Affirming the recommendation of the Commission on Judicial Performance, the Mississippi Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge and fined her $1,500 for releasing 2 prisoners post-sentencing based on ex parte communications and suspending a sentence in cases in which she had represented the defendant. Commission on Judicial Performance v. Sanders, 708 So. 2d 866 (Mississippi 1998).
• Upholding the determination of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the New York Court of Appeals removed a judge who had passed a note to his court attorney concerning the physical attributes of a female law intern, suggested to the intern that she remove part of her apparel in his presence, made false statements to the Commission, and gave deceitful responses to the governor’s screening committee and to the staff of the senate judiciary committee when they were considering his nomination to a different court. In the Matter of Collazo, 691 N.E.2d 1021 (New York 1998).
• The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct removed a judge for failing to remit any funds to the state comptroller for almost 2 years as required by statute and failing to respond to letters from the Commission and to give testimony during the Commission’s investigation. In the Matter of Coble, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct February 5, 1998).
• Pursuant to an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for, during his re-election campaign, sending a letter asking voters to support the several candidates for non-judicial positions and to oppose their opponents, expressing concern about the village’s financial condition and the “huge tax increase that we are facing,” stating that “our hometown is being threatened,” and calling for the election of “a new Mayor and new Trustees on our Village Board.” In the Matter of Cacciatore, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct February 6, 1998).
• Pursuant to an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a judge for making numerous comments to his secretary about the physical appearance and attributes of women in the courthouse, boasting to her of his sexual prowess and experience, commenting on her physical appearance, and stating to her that he wanted to have sex with her. In the Matter of Dye, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct February 6, 1998).
• The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a judge for retaining for several years more than $450 of public monies from a double reimbursement for the same expenses. In the Matter of Faso, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct February 5, 1998).
• Pursuant to an agreed statement of facts, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for promising in campaign advertisements to jail every defendant charged with a violation of an order of protection. In the Matter of Herrick, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct February 6, 1998).
• Pursuant to an agreed statement of facts, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for trying to influence the outcome of a custody proceeding involving a friend and his former wife’s current husband. In the Matter of Putnam, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct February 6, 1998).
• Pursuant to an agreement, the South Carolina Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a former judge who had pled guilty to 1 count of misconduct in office. In the Matter of Pryor, 496 S.E.2d 630 (South Carolina 1998).
• Affirming the recommendation of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the review tribunal appointed by the Texas Supreme Court removed a judge for (1) making sexual comments and gestures to female attorneys appearing in his courtroom, (2) displaying impatience and disrespect to attorneys appearing before him, and (3) having a deputy sheriff confined pursuant to a writ of attachment. In re Barr, 13 S.W.3d 525 (Review Tribunal Appointed by the Texas Supreme Court 1998).
• Accepting the recommendation of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the review tribunal appointed by the Texas Supreme Court removed a judge from office for (1) asking another judge to submit a false report to the Commission that he had complied with education requirements imposed by the Commission, (2) calling a parking lot attendant a racial epithet, and (3) engaging in self-help to enforce an order he had entered. In re Lowery, 999 S.W.2d 639 (Review Tribunal Appointed by the Texas Supreme Court 1998).
• Adopting the decision and recommendation of the Judicial Tenure Commission, the Michigan Supreme Court publicly censured a judge for, following a dispute about pension benefits for court employees, assessing fines, fees, and costs in a way that reduced the city’s revenues. In the Matter of Justin, 577 N.W.2d 71 (Michigan 1998).