10 years ago this month:

• The Alabama Court of the Judiciary suspended a judge without pay for 60 days and publicly censured and reprimanded him for (1) without holding a hearing, setting aside the rape conviction of a man he had represented before becoming a judge and (2) criticizing another judge in an order disqualifying himself from a case. In the Matter of King, Final judgment (Alabama Court of the Judiciary September 30, 2010).
• Adopting the findings of 3 special masters, the California Commission on Judicial Performance publicly censured a judge for failing to comply with procedural requirements or to provide notice or an opportunity to be heard before ordering a small claims plaintiff to have no contact with 3 women and to stay away from a credit union. Inquiry Concerning O’Flaherty (California Commission on Judicial Performance September 23, 2010).
• Adopting a stipulation and joint recommendation, the Illinois Courts Commission publicly reprimanded a judge for driving while under the influence of alcohol. In re Purham, Order (Illinois Courts Commission September 14, 2010).
• Pursuant to an agreement, the Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards publicly reprimanded a judge for comments he made while presiding in a criminal case, for example, referring to several possible witnesses as “a bunch of drunkards.” Public Reprimand of Aldrich (Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards September 27, 2010).
• Pursuant to a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for writing 3 letters on court stationery to members of the Italian judicial system on behalf of a criminal defendant, using court staff to type those letters, and speaking publicly on several occasions in an attempt to influence the case. In the Matter of Heavey, Stipulation, agreement, and order (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct September 24, 2010).
• Pursuant to a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for threatening in a sidebar to physically harm a prosecutor. In the Matter of LaSalata, Stipulation, agreement, and order (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct September 24, 2010).