10 years ago this month:

• The California Commission on Judicial Performance publicly admonished a judge for (1) a pattern of misuse of court resources for personal matters and (2) a letter to the sheriff about his concerns regarding the field training of his former courtroom bailiff.  Public Admonishment of Coates (California Commission on Judicial Performance December 2, 2009).
• Accepting an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a judge for disqualifying himself from cases in which parties were represented by law firms that included legislators to force the legislature to pass a judicial pay raise; encouraging other judges to do the same and denigrating judges who refused; making public comments concerning the pay raise litigation; and making denigrating comments about legislators.  In the Matter of Himelein, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct December 17, 2009).
• Accepting an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a non-lawyer judge for (1) driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and pleading guilty to driving while ability impaired and (2) presiding over 2 cases without disclosing her friendship with the complaining witness or the witness’ spouse.  In the Matter of Burke, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct December 15, 2009).
• The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a judge for (1) refusing to accept a plea agreement and attempting to coerce a plea to additional charges because he wanted a disposition that would bring revenue to the village and making public comments about the case while it was pending on appeal and (2) nominating a candidate for village board of trustees at a political party caucus.  In the Matter of Herrmann, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct December 15, 2009).
• Accepting an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a non-lawyer judge for failing to deposit, report, and remit court funds within the time required by law and failing to issue duplicate receipts as required by law.  In the Matter of Ridgeway, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct December 15, 2009).
• The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for (1) issuing a citation affording a defendant less than 10 days to answer a suit and or appear for trial, failing to provide adequate notice of a trial to either party, and holding a second trial after a default judgment based on an oral request from the defendant; (2) trying to persuade another judge through her court staff to provide a favorable resolution for a litigant’s pending traffic citation; and (3) issuing a final judgment and a writ of execution for the return of property and issuing an amended judgment on his own motion, without notice to the parties and well after his court had lost jurisdiction; the Commission also ordered the judge to obtain 5 hours of instruction with a mentor.  Public Admonition of Perez and Order of Additional Education (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct December 17, 2009).
• The Utah Supreme Court approved the implementation of the Judicial Conduct Commission’s public reprimand of a judge who drew a gun in the courtroom.  In re Sampson, Order (Utah Supreme Court December 19, 2009).
• Adopting the stipulation of facts and order of the Judicial Conduct Board with a modification, the Vermont Supreme Court suspended a judge for 30 days or until he resigns as a judge or as a member of the town select board, whichever occurs last.  In re Colby, 989 A.2d 553 (Vermont 2009).