20 years ago this month:

• Pursuant to a stipulation for discipline by consent, the California Commission on Judicial Performance public censured a former judge and barred him from receiving an assignment, appointment, or reference of work from any California state court for (1) during his re-election campaign, making false and misleading statements in response to questions posed by a television reporter about reports that he had used the county computer to access sexually explicit sites, (2) threatening to bring legal action against the television station in an attempt to dissuade the publication of facts about him that he knew to be true, and (3) engaging in improper campaign activities in and around the courthouse.  Inquiry Concerning McGraw, Decision and order (California Commission on Judicial Performance April 3, 2003).
• Adopting the recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission based on a stipulation, the Florida Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge for a pattern of rude and intemperate behavior, including, for example, routinely embarrassing and belittling counsel in court and questioning their competence; the Court also ordered the judge to continue to participate in psychological/behavioral therapy and to send letters of apology.  Inquiry Concerning Schapiro, 845 So. 2d 170 (Florida 2003).
• Accepting the determination of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the New York Court of Appeals removed a town court justice from office for misappropriating $2,300 in legal fees from his law firm employer, altering a receipt book to disguise 1 theft, and his disbarment as a result of his conduct.  In the Matter of Tamsen, 789 N.E.2d 613 (New York Court of Appeals 2003).
• Accepting an agreement for discipline by consent, the South Carolina Supreme Court suspended a judge for 6 months for talking to witnesses during a break in a trial in which he was also a witness and giving incorrect testimony in a hearing in that case.  In the Matter of Johnson, 579 S.E.2d 308 (South Carolina 2003).
• Pursuant to an agreement, the South Carolina Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge for referring to his former position as magistrate in a telephone message requesting voters to support a candidate for lieutenant governor.  In the Matter of Koon, 580 S.E.2d 147 (South Carolina 2003).
• Pursuant to an agreement, the South Carolina Supreme Court suspended a judge for 6 months without pay for failing to report missing court funds and checks drawn on her bond account that were returned for insufficient funds.  In the Matter of McCullough, 580 S.E.2d 143 (South Carolina 2003).
• Pursuant to the judge’s consent, the Utah Supreme Court approved the implementation of the Judicial Conduct Commission’s order of formal reprimand of the judge for angrily engaging detectives who had stopped his daughter’s car.  In re Dobson, Order (Utah Supreme Court April 17, 2003).
• Pursuant to a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a former judge for using a court facility to assist the personal interests of a former client and friend and attempting to testify without subpoena as a character witness for that former client and friend.  In re Lukevich, Stipulation, agreement, and order (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct April 4, 2003).