20 years ago this month:
Pursuant to a stipulation for discipline by consent, the California Commission on Judicial Performance publicly censured a former judge for a pattern of improper financial dealings and fiduciary activities, continuing to serve as a trustee of several trusts after becoming a judge, failing to disqualify from cases involving trusts for which he was trustee, and failing to disclose trustee fees, loans, and property interests on his statements of economic interest. Inquiry Concerning Sullivan, Decision and Order (California Commission on Judicial Performance May 17, 2002).Approving an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a non-lawyer judge for asking another judge on behalf of a friend to vacate an order of protection he had issued. In the Matter of Williams, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct May 17, 2002).Based on an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a non-lawyer judge for convicting an unrepresented defendant and imposing a jail sentence after the defendant had pleaded not guilty, without a trial, relying on the defendant’s incriminating statements at arraignment, and without the defendant changing his plea to guilty or waiving his right to a trial. In the Matter of Hise, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct May 17, 2002).Based on an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a non-lawyer judge for (1) writing an article for a newsletter in which he attempted to obtain support among local residents for construction of a highway bypass and stating that he had increased the fines on truck drivers to discourage them from using local routes and that he would continue to do so and (2) in 16 cases after accepting guilty pleas, imposing fines that were $20 to $70 in excess of the statutorily authorized maximum fine for the specific convictions. In the Matter of Reid, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct May 17, 2002).Pursuant to a stipulation and agreement, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for receiving and considering an ex parte communication from the victim in a criminal case and failing to disclose the communication prior to trial. In the Matter of Lukevich, Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Admonishment (Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct May 9, 2002).
