on the blog as well: http://www.newjerseyunfiltered.com

The New Jersey Supreme Court censured one of its own justices Friday for violating judicial ethics when he interceded in a dispute between his teenage son and a high school football teammate.

In disciplining Justice Roberto A. Rivera-Soto, the state's highest court said his conduct "created a risk that the prestige and power of his judicial office might influence and advance a private matter."

The court adopted the findings and recommendation of its panel on judicial conduct. It could have removed Rivera-Soto from the bench, suspended him or issued a reprimand.

Rivera-Soto's lawyer, Bruce P. McMoran, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Rivera-Soto apologized last month, admitting in a letter to the conduct panel that some of his actions created an "appearance of impropriety." He wrote that "at no time did I intend to use my office to influence anyone."

The misconduct stemmed from a series of incidents last fall between Rivera-Soto's son, a sophomore, and a senior captain of the Haddonfield Memorial High School football team. The justice's son said the other teen harassed and struck him, according to the panel's complaint.

Rivera-Soto admitted that he spoke with the police chief and court officials, as well as the school officials, but he said he asked for no special treatment. He said he gave his business card, which includes his post, to a police officer and a court administrative employee "as a convenient method" to reach him during business hours.

The advisory misconduct panel said Rivera-Soto acted inappropriately on several occasions, including contacting the Haddonfield police chief on his cell phone using a number the chief had given him to discuss potential safety issues regarding Rivera-Soto's position as a justice.

Rivera-Soto, 53, a Republican, was named to the court in 2004 and was its first Hispanic justice. His term expires in 2011, after which he can be considered for tenure until mandatory retirement at age 70.

The sanction was the first against a sitting New Jersey Supreme Court justice since a public reprimand in 1990 against Robert L. Clifford for driving while intoxicated. Clifford retired in 1994.