MADISON, Wis. -- A special panel of appeals court judges is asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to reprimand one of its own.

The three-judge panel said that Justice Annette Ziegler committed misconduct while she was a Washington County judge by hearing cases that involved a bank where her husband was a director. She is accused of mishandling 11 cases involving the bank.

The panel is asking the Supreme Court to issue a public reprimand of Ziegler, which is the same punishment recommended by Ziegler's lawyer and the state Judicial Commission, which initially investigated the charges.

The group rejected arguments from some outside groups that want Ziegler suspended or removed from the bench. The panel said that a reprimand is appropriate because Ziegler has taken steps to avoid similar mistakes and didn't benefit from her actions.

Ziegler was elected to the court last year after an expensive and bitter campaign. She will serve a 10-year term on the court.

The panel's recommendation now goes to Ziegler's colleagues on the high court. If they do, it will mark the first time the court has disciplined a sitting justice.