- Following a hearing on a complaint, the Alabama Court on Judiciary publicly reprimanded a judge for securing an ex parte, oral deviation from an order in a child custody/visitation case involving his parents and obtaining the services of law enforcement to enforce the oral order. In the Matter of Allred, Final judgment (Alabama Court on Judiciary January 31, 2020).
- Based on the presentment of the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct, the New Jersey Supreme Court publicly censured a judge for incarcerating a pro se litigant for 23 days in default of bail to ensure her appearance in court, committing the litigant for a psychiatric evaluation without following a civil commitment process, and abusing his contempt power. In the Matter of Adames (New Jersey Supreme Court January 16, 2020).
- Accepting a stipulation based on the judge’s resignation and agreement not to seek or accept judicial office in the future, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct concluded a proceeding against a former judge who resigned after the Commission told him it was investigating allegations that, “from 2005 through 2019, he made improper and at times abusive personal demands of court staff, directly or indirectly conveying that continued employment required submitting to such demands, and creating a hostile workplace environment.” In the Matter of Rosenbaum, Decision and order (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct January 23, 2020).
- Accepting an agreed statement of facts and recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a judge for operating his motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, causing him to lose control of his car and crash into 2 stop signs and 2 benches, twice falsely telling police officers at the scene that he had had only 2 alcoholic drinks prior to the accident, and telling state police officers at the scene that he would never again conduct an arraignment for the state police. In the Matter of Miranda, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct January 30, 2020).
- Accepting an agreed statements of fact and recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a non-lawyer judge for driving while his ability was impaired by alcohol, which caused him to lose control of his vehicle and crash into a building, and being uncooperative and belligerent to a police officer and paramedic at the scene. In the Matter of Petucci, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct January 30, 2020).
- Adopting the findings of fact of a hearing panel, which were based on the judge’s admissions, and agreeing with its conclusions, the Wisconsin Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a part-time court commissioner for failing to recuse himself from a small claims case in which a close friend appeared as an attorney or to disclose the relationship and his angry and sarcastic comments to the self-represented defendant in the trial of the case. In the Matter of Gorski (Wisconsin Supreme Court January 30, 2020).
Judicial ethics and discipline 