5 years ago this month:

• Approving the findings, conclusions, and recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission based on a stipulation, the Florida Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge for sending a letter to a university president and engaging in an ex parte communication with the chief assistant state attorney on behalf of a defendant over whose case he was presiding in veteran’s court.  Inquiry Concerning Holder, 195 So. 3d 1133 (Florida 2016).
• Approving a revised consent judgment, the Florida Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge for finding the victim in a domestic violence case in contempt for failing to respond to the prosecution’s subpoena to testify at trial and being discourteous and impatient toward the victim; the Court also ordered the judge to complete an anger management course and attend a domestic violence course offered by the Florida Judicial College.  Inquiry Concerning Collins, 195 So. 3d 1129 (Florida 2016).
• The Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission publicly admonished a judge for, in response to a defendant’s obscene remarks and display of utmost contempt for the court, making highly inappropriate remarks in a murder case.  Durham (Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission July 29, 2016).
• Pursuant to the judge’s agreement, the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission publicly reprimanded a former judge for making numerous mocking statements to criminal defendants in open court, making numerous inappropriate statements to criminal defendants in an attempt to influence their decisions, making numerous critical statements to defense attorneys, making numerous inappropriate statements regarding fellow judges and court personnel while on the bench, and failing to take adequate steps to apprise criminal defendants of their rights in open court.  In re Popovich, Public reprimand (Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission July 7, 2016).
• Based on the finding of a hearing justice after a de novo review of a report of the Committee on Judicial Responsibility and Disability, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court suspended a part-time judge for 30 days and publicly censured him for statements he made in a letter to counsel regarding a court proceeding in which he was a party.  In the Matter of Nadeau, 144 A.3d 1161 (Maine 2016).
• Pursuant to the judge’s waiver of his right to demand a formal complaint and public hearing, the Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards publicly reprimanded a judge for accusatory, hostile, and discourteous comments he made in 2 family law cases.  Public Reprimand of Stacey (Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards July 26, 2016).
• The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly reprimanded a judge for unilaterally amending a charging instrument, negotiating a plea with the defendant, and leaving a threatening, intimidating, and harassing voicemail message for the defendant.  Public Reprimand of Scales (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct July 18, 2016).
• The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for driving while intoxicated and repeatedly invoking his judicial position during the traffic stop; the Commission also ordered the judge to obtain 2 hours of instruction with a mentor.  Public Admonition of Glicker and Order of Additional Education (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct July 12, 2016).
• Based on a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a court commissioner for meeting privately with a former judge before a hearing in a case in which the former judge’s daughter was a litigant and failing to disclose that contact; allowing the former judge to argue a motion to the court; and voiding a valid court order despite the daughter’s absence from the hearing.  In re Anderson, Stipulation, agreement, and order (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct July 15, 2016).
• Based on a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for refusing to allow a defendant to testify when he would not, for religious reasons, raise his hand while affirming he would tell the truth.  In re Parise, Stipulation, agreement, and admonishment (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct July 15, 2016).
• Pursuant to a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for failing to comply with state campaign reporting laws.  In re Tveit, Stipulation, agreement, and order (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct July 15, 2016).
• The West Virginia Judicial Inquiry Commission publicly admonished a magistrate for endorsing a judicial candidate and failing to respond to Disciplinary Counsel’s request for information and to be candid in her reply.  In the Matter of Campbell (West Virginia Judicial Inquiry Commission July 11, 2016).
• The West Virginia Judicial Investigation Commission publicly admonished a magistrate for posting bond for her granddaughter, having improper ex parte communications with the special magistrate presiding over the case, and accepting a discount from the bond company.  In the Matter of Viderman, Amended public admonishment (West Virginia Judicial Investigation Commission July 5, 2016).