5 years ago this month:

• Adopting the recommendation of the Judicial Hearing Board based on an agreement, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals publicly censured a magistrate and fined him $2,000 for inappropriate comments he made about the victim in a domestic assault and battery case after finding a defendant not guilty following a bench trial. In the Matter of Summers, Order (West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals February 25, 2018).
• The Kansas Commission on Judicial Qualifications ordered a former judge to cease and desist from verbal and/or physical conduct that is offensive and demeaning to female court reporters and judges and to continue his retirement without seeking election or accepting appointment to any judicial office.  Inquiry Concerning Yeoman, Order (Kansas Commission on Judicial Qualifications February 7, 2018).
• • Based on a stipulation and the judge’s consent, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline publicly reprimanded a judge for failing to rule on an application for a temporary protection order filed against a sheriff’s deputy within 1 day as required by statute and denying the application without a hearing after an independent investigation. In the Matter of Sullivan, Stipulation and order of consent (Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline February 23, 2018).
• The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly reprimanded a judge for engaging in an intimate relationship with the city’s prosecutor; the Commission also ordered that he obtain 2 hours of instruction with a mentor.  Public Reprimand of Berry and Order of Additional Education (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct February 21, 2018).
• The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly reprimanded a judge for sending a letter on official letterhead notifying the defendant in a public nuisance case filed by his brother that he was in violation of non-existent laws and ordering him to abate the nuisance; the Commission also ordered the judge to complete 2 hours of instruction with a mentor.   Public Reprimand of English and Order of Additional Education (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct February 8, 2018).
• The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly reprimanded a judge for posting on his Facebook page a meme endorsing the extermination of Muslims and statements “railing” against liberals.  Public Reprimand of Burkeen (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct February 21, 2018).
• The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly warned a judge for refusing to allow a man to inspect and copy case files and for engaging in a heated conversation with the man; the Commission also ordered the judge to obtain 4 hours of instruction with a mentor.  Public Warning of Smith and Order of Additional Education (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct February 21, 2018).