20 years ago this month

• Pursuant to the recommendation of the Commission on Judicial Conduct, the Massachusetts Supreme Court publicly reprimanded an appellate court judge for statements he made during an oral argument that were critical of a union, which was a party, its president, and the president’s family. In the Matter of Brown, 691 N.E.2d 573 (Massachusetts 1998).
• Based on a joint motion for approval of the recommendation of the Commission on Judicial Performance, the Mississippi Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge for attempting to limit a litigant’s rights to execute on a judgement, then vacating the judgement without notice or a hearing. Commission on Judicial Performance v. Fisher, 706 So. 2d 1107 (Mississippi 1998).
• The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for failing to disclose that he had recently engaged in a business transaction with a plaintiff similar to that at issue in a case before him, ignoring a legal requirement that he swear-in witnesses in small claims proceedings, and failing to re-try the matter after he learned of his error. In the Matter of Barker, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct March 17, 1998).
• Based on an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for acting as an advocate for one of the parties to a dispute. In the Matter of Merrill, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct March 17, 1998).