10 years ago this month:

• The Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly reprimanded a judge for presiding over a traffic case involving a member of his service club and using paid sick leave to serve as a pro tem judge in another court. West, Order (Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct February 6, 2008).
• Based on the recommendation of the Judiciary Commission, the Louisiana Supreme Court removed a judge for (1) physical and psychological dependence on prescription medications that seriously impaired her judgment and mental faculties while performing judicial duties; (2) a pattern of absenteeism and appearing late for court; (3) detaining a juvenile in a holding cell at the court facility; (4) use of court staff to handle personal matters; and (5) ex parte communications with an attorney who was seeking a peace bond with regard to his nephew and other irregularities in the matter. In re Alford, 977 So.2d 811 (Louisiana 2008).
• The Louisiana Supreme Court revoked the probation of a judge and suspended him without pay through the remainder of his term after finding he had failed to comply with the terms of his contract with the Lawyers Assistance Program. In re Krake, 976 So. 2d 162 (Louisiana 2008).
• Adopting the recommendation of the Commission on Judicial Performance, the Mississippi Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a former judge for derogatory statements about African-Americans at a National Drug Court Institute training conference. Commission on Judicial Performance v. Boland, 975 So.2d 882 (Mississippi 2008).
• Based on an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a non-lawyer judge for (1) in numerous cases, failing to timely deposit and report official monies as required by law; (2) failing to report and remit to the State Comptroller $415 from 6 cases; (3) failing to maintain a complete and accurate cashbook recording her receipts and disbursements; and (4) presiding over her sister-in-law’s seat belt case, accepting a guilty plea, and imposing no fine. In the Matter of Minogue, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct February 21, 2008).
• Accepting an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a non-lawyer judge for convicting the defendants in a code violation case without a trial or guilty plea and imposing 2 consecutive fines based on unsubstantiated ex parte information from the code enforcement officer. In the Matter of Ray, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct February 26, 2008).
• Based on an agreement, the Oregon Supreme Court publicly censured a court of appeals judge for driving while under the influence of intoxicants. Inquiry Concerning Wollheim, 178 P.3d 224 (Oregon 2008).
• Accepting an agreement, the South Carolina Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a former magistrate for failing to ensure that court funds were deposited and to reconcile accounts monthly as required by orders of the chief justice and for taking court files and the court computer home during the investigation of his accounts. In the Matter of Kinlaw, 657 S.E.2d 756 (South Carolina 2008).
• Accepting an agreement, the South Carolina Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge for engaging in a consensual sexual relationship with a member of the court staff. In the Matter of Harrelson, 657 S.E.2d 754 (South Carolina 2008).
• Based on an agreement, the South Carolina Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a former judge who had pled guilty to breach of trust for converting money from her former law firm to her own use; the Court also ordered that she not apply for, seek, or accept any judicial position in the state without its prior written authorization. In the Matter of Koulpasis, 657 S.E.2d 759 (South Carolina 2008).
• Based on an agreement, the South Carolina Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a former master-in-equity for using official funds to make loan or advances to friends; the Court also ordered that he not apply for, seek, or accept any judicial position in the state without its prior written authorization. In the Matter of Evans, 658 S.E.2d 78 (South Carolina 2008).
• The Tennessee Court of the Judiciary publicly reprimanded a judge for (1) accepting a campaign contribution from a corporation and a campaign contribution over $1,000 in violation of election laws and (2) misrepresenting in campaign advertising that he had reduced juvenile crime by 25% during his prior term and that the incumbent judge was habitually absent from court. Letter to Glover (Tennessee Court of the Judiciary February 19, 2008).
• The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for improperly exercising his contempt authority; failing to properly document court proceedings; writing improper personal notes about defendants in their public records; and failing to determine if he had the legal authority to incarcerate a 17-year-old student for constructive contempt; the Commission also ordered the judge to obtain 8 hours of instruction with a mentor. Public Admonition of Middents and Order of Additional Education (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct February 28, 2008).