10 years ago this month:

• Accepting the recommendation of the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, the Arkansas Supreme Court removed a judge from office for his relationships with probationers; his involvement with Cycle Breakers, a probation program run through a non-profit corporation; ignoring and by-passing laws that were an impediment to his interest in Cycle Breakers; and enforcing payment of unauthorized “civil fees” from defendants with jail or the threat of jail, knowing the money would go to Cycle Breakers.  Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission v. Proctor, 360 S.W.3d 61 (Arkansas 2010).
• The California Commission on Judicial Performance severely censured a judge for terminating and abandoning the trial in a dissolution of marriage matter before the husband had completed his case and without offering the parties an opportunity to present additional evidence; threatening the husband’s attorney with contempt if her client did not produce his statement of economic interests; failing to disqualify himself after reporting the husband’s failure to disclose an economic interest to the husband’s employer, which terminated him; and being discourteous and impatient toward the husband’s attorney and repeatedly threatening a mistrial if the proceedings were not concluded quickly enough.  Inquiry Concerning McBrien, Decision and Order (California Commission on Judicial Performance January 5, 2010).
• In lieu of formal disciplinary proceedings and with the judge’s consent, the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications publicly admonished a commissioner for invoking his office and using profanity while protesting a parking ticket.  Public Admonition of Pierce (Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications January 26, 2010).
• Reviewing the recommendation of the Judicial Tenure Commission based on a settlement agreement, the Michigan Supreme Court suspended a judge without pay for 21 days and publicly censured her for acting as treasurer for her own campaign and running for mayor while a judicial candidate and after being sworn in.  In re Sanders, 777 N.W.2d 134 (Michigan 2010).
• Based on the recommendation of the Judicial Tenure Commission, to which the judge consented, the Michigan Supreme Court suspended a judge without pay for 90 days and publicly censured him for driving while intoxicated.  In re Nebel, 777 N.W.2d 132 (Michigan 2010).