Sometimes being a judge is just not enough to fulfill life’s calling. A New York judicial ethics committee has given state judges the freedom to play in bands for money or sell their artworks – as long as these recreational activities do not interfere with their day jobs. Two judges requested clarification from the committee to see if it was proper to moonlight as musicians or artists even though there was no rule prohibiting them. The committee says judges who wish to pursue part-time paid music gigs can perform for people unlikely to appear in their courts. US states including Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Illinois allow judges to work as wedding musicians and soccer referees. Acting New York Supreme Court Justice Matthew D’Emic says when court adjourns he joins his 1970s rock band. A show is scheduled at Brooklyn Law School in autumn.

It is advisable not to blow bubbles at judges whilst in their courtroom. Australian magistrate Rodney Crisp charged Mirza Zukanovic, an apprentice painter, with contempt and jailed him for 30 days for blowing a bubble in his court. The charge sheet shows that Zukanovic, who was appearing on an assault-related matter, was subjected to Mr Crisp’s wrath after he deliberately blew and popped a bubble of gum while looking at the magistrate. Victoria’s Supreme Court granted Zukanovic bail after an appeal by his lawyers. Mr Crisp is no stranger to controversial cases. He once ordered a defendant to buy and eat an ice cream in order to test the defence claim that a ‘Bubble O’ Bill’ had given him a reading when he blew into his alcohol interlock device. The man was vindicated. The magistrate had also remanded a young offender to jail on a series of driving charges after the youth gave him a one-fingered salute as he was led from the dock.

Throwing shoes at a judge should also be avoided. A man who threw a shoe at Israel’s Chief Justice, knocking her off the bench, was sentenced to three years in jail. Jerusalem magistrate Shimon Feinberg sentenced Pini Cohen for the attack and cautioned that this kind of incident must never happen again. The punishment serves as a warning to others. Shouting ‘you’re corrupt’, Cohen threw two shoes from the spectators’ gallery at Chief Justice Dorit Beinisch during a Supreme Court hearing. One hit her between the eyes and she was knocked to the floor. She returned to the bench minutes later. Cohen said he believed he had been treated unfairly by Israeli courts in divorce proceedings.