judicial conduct commission ky

They have a prominent role as the face of the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the statewide judicial system. When the JCC finds sufficient cause, it will conduct a preliminary investigation that may include a meeting with the judge who is the subject of the complaint. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. "During the sentencing hearing, Judge Atkins disclosed that he contacted the police officer and . 441 0 obj <>stream $8@G t4$},}@IA( cJ)*88#ro~eYIYX}"V |p 3y 3Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 29, 2014, Judicial Candidate Dana M. Cohen, 30th Judicial District, Div. The report said Atkins waived formal proceedings and agreed to the reprimand. The post-holder must be able to demonstrate procedural fairness in all Court cases and deal tactfully and courteously with participants in such cases all with as well as the public. The Judicial Conduct Commission (Commission) determined that Julia Hawes Gordon, Family Court Judge for the 6th Judicial Circuit in Daviess County, Kentucky, committed judicial misconduct as charged in five of the six counts against her and ordered that she be removed from office. Judicial Conduct Commission; Circuit Court Clerk Conduct Commission; Resources for New Judges; Court Personnel Directory; Report Fraud, Waste & Abuse; Request Court Records; COVID-19; Court ADA; Site Map; Policies; Security; Disclaimer; Accessibility; Administrative Office of the Courts. 17Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, July 21, 2014, District Court Judge Rebecca S. Ward, 55th Judicial Circuit, Div. The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission voted Friday to suspend 42nd Judicial Circuit Judge Jamie Jameson with pay as hearings continue regarding allegations of misconduct levied at the. Justice VanMeter was born in 1958 in Lexington, and was raised in Winchester. Karem was elected Vice Chair of the Commission July 14, 2020. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE), Kentucky's Justice for All Strategic Action Plan, New Legal Help Center in Fayette County offers free legal information, forms and guided interviews, Access to Justice Commission awarded $326,195 in COSSAP funding. Have a news tip? 3Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, June 12, 2018, Circuit Judge Charles L. Cunningham Jr., 30th Judicial Circuit, Div. . The Circuit Court Clerk Conduct Commission investigates and reviews complaints against circuit court clerks. The complaint said Atkins consulted with the police officer who was the victim outside the court proceedings and then used the content of the conversation during the sentencing hearing although the officer did not testify. He has been admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, and is a member of the Kentucky and Fayette County Bar Associations. A reprimand is one of several disciplinary actions that can be taken by the judicial commission. The state Supreme Court's decision came up in the JCC's findings of fact and final order regarding count VI. A judge or judicial candidate can request a JEC opinion by contacting Executive Secretary Jean Collier, Esq., Judicial Ethics Committee, Robert F. Stephens District Courthouse, 150 N. Limestone, Suite 301, Lexington, KY 40507, 859-246-2296. If the complaint is not resolved at this stage, the JCC may file formal charges against the judge and hold a fact-finding hearing. The JCC announced its decision Friday, about two weeks after it held a four-day hearing on the misconduct allegations against Jameson. KENTON COUNTY, Ky. (WKRC) - A local judge is suspended again.The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission decided Judge Ann Ruttle was too quick to deny court appoi 6Agreed Order of Suspension, March 21, 2017Agreed Order of Temporary Suspension From Duties Pending Final Adjudication, March 15, 2017, Circuit Court Judge Ronnie C. Dortch, 38th Judicial Circuit, Div. If the JCC finds improper conduct by the judge or a disability that seriously interferes with the judges ability to perform judicial duties, the JCC may take any of the following actions: JCC orders are effective 10 days after service on a judge unless the judge appeals to the Supreme Court of Kentucky within that time. 5Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, Aug. 31, 2020Proceedings - Nov. 18, 2019-Aug. 12, 2020, District Judge Robert F. Wright, 35th Judicial District, Div. The JCC is composed of six voting members who serve four-year terms. priority for the Judicial Branch. The Judicial Conduct Commission's review is not focused merely on the judge's findings, conclusions, and ultimate judgment, but on the judge's demeanor, motivation, or conduct in following (or in not following) the law. You can then save and print the form and mail or email it to the JCC. This is what a judge ought to be doing,'" Jameson said. It's the second time she has been found to violate rules in Kentucky's . The order the commission issued Friday found Jameson guilty of all counts. endstream endobj 417 0 obj <>stream By Tom LatekKentucky TodayA sitting circuit judge in Western Kentucky has been ordered removed from office by the Judicial Conduct Commission.Judge James T. Jameson had been in office since Judge Jamie Jameson took the stand Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, during aJudicial Conduct Commission hearing in Hopkinsville. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. The commission has received complaints from litigants, attorneys, judges, jurors, citizens, court personnel and prisoners. The complainant is notified of what action is taken unless the disposition is a private admonishment or private reprimand. He put great thought, planning and effort into the community corrections board matters and bid rigging, and he repeatedly abused the courts contempt powers, violating the due process rights of those in his courtroom. The Supreme Court can affirm, modify or set aside in whole or in part the JCCs order or remand the action to the JCC for further proceedings. A Kentucky judge who sent one man to jail without a hearing and "strongly castigated" another has been reprimanded. Jamesons legal representation argues the facts and opinions that led the commission to make these charges were submitted by individuals who seek to provide political benefit to Jamesons election opponent, Andrea Moore, in his bid for reelection this fall. ", In the final order, the commission says Jameson's misconduct "was not isolated but was a pattern of repeated conduct over an extended period of time. 2Agreed Order of Permanent Retirement, Dec. 18, 2019, Circuit Judge Beth L. Maze, 21st Judicial Circuit, Div. The Judicial Conduct Commission voted unanimously to permanently remove Daviess Family Judge Julie Hawes Gordon, writing that she abused her position "over an extended period of time and over . The Judicial Conduct Commission,. Judicial misconduct comes in many forms and ethical standards address problematic actions, omissions and relationships that deplete public confidence. he was the victim of the alleged assault by the defendant," the judicial conduct panel wrote in its report. The code is intended to provide guidance and assist judges in maintaining the highest standards of judicial and personal conduct, and to provide a basis for regulating their conduct through disciplinary agencies. Section 121 of the Kentucky Constitution authorizes the Commission to suspend without pay, or to remove, a judge or justice for good cause, with judicial review directly to the Supreme Court. Ruttle violated three rules in the Code of Judicial Conduct for. Propriety and the The rules governing the JCC require confidentiality during the investigation process. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. 1Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Jan. 6, 2017, District Court Judge Shan F. Embry, 46th Judicial District, Div. Promote principled and efficient use of available resources and encourage the coordination and sharing of resources or funding. This list is not all-inclusive. Jameson has been involved in a lengthy legal battle with the commission after being accused of seven counts of misconduct. If the JCC files formal charges against a judge, the JCC makes public the charges and any response from the judge. Any individual or group with knowledge of possible circuit court clerk misconduct or wrongdoing may file a written complaint. Operating under Supreme Court of Kentucky rules, the JCC investigates complaints of judicial misconduct, wrongdoing or disability. Sanctions for misconduct range from confidential reprimands to recommendation of removal from office. 3. 413 0 obj <> endobj In 2017, the KBA provided a generous grant that allowed the KAJC to hire full-time staff and the Supreme Court provided office space on the second floor of the Capitol. SCR 4.020 Jurisdiction. In the three-page document released Thursday, the commission received a complaint and conducted an investigation into comments Atkins made during the criminal abuse trial of Nina Morgan last year. When needed, the JCC conducts hearings regarding the alleged misconduct. As a result of the complaint, attorneys for Paige Williams and Abby Leach, who are on trial this week for complicity to abuse stemming from the charges against Morgan and Allison Simpson, requested Atkins recuse himself from the case, which he granted. Common complaints of ethical misconduct include improper demeanour; failure to properly disqualify when the judge has a conflict of interest; engaging in ex parte communication and failure to . Since its inception, the JCC's actions have resulted in removal from the bench, involuntarily retirement and public discipline. 2Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, Dec. 19, 2017Proceedings Sept. 11-Oct. 30, 2017, District Court Judge Jennifer H. Leibson, 30th Judicial District, Div. You have permission to edit this article. . During its early years, the KAJC was chaired by Franklin Circuit Judge Roger L. Crittenden (ret.) It went on to say that security cameras should be required in daycare centers. While the commission also found 5-0 on that count, the document reads: "The Commission acknowledges the Writ of Prohibition entered by the Kentucky Supreme Court on October 31, 2022, after the conclusion of the Final Hearing, and the deliberation and voting by the Commission. The Writ vacated and set aside the Commissions Order of Temporary Suspension and declared it void ab initio. A public reprimand was issued against Christian County Circuit Judge John L. Atkins, after finding that he improperly contacted a police officer who [] Increase public awareness of civil legal aid and the justice system and their positive impact on the state and local communities. As a result, Count VI is now not considered by or factored into the discipline imposed by the Commission herein. ADDRESS: 19 D.J Everett Drive, Cadiz, KY 42211 Phone: 270-522-3232 fax: 270-522-1110 email: wkdz@wkdzradio.com, Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 16_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/605.1.15 (KHTML, like Gecko) GSA/253.2.513328941 Mobile/15E148 Safari/604.1, DJ Everett III Scholarship/Mentorship Application, Cadiz Rotary Renewable Grant & Scholarship Application, Cadiz Rotary Need Based Grant Application. 5Agreed Order of Disability Retirement, Aug. 23, 2016Order of Temporary Retirement, May 2, 2016, Circuit Court Judge Olu A. Stevens, 30th Judicial Circuit, Div. Circuit Judge Atkins Given Public Reprimand by State Judicial Conduct Commission March 2, 2023 News Edge Newsroom News Edge Christian County Chief Circuit Judge John Atkins has received a public reprimand from the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission regarding his conduct in a pair of criminal cases he oversaw. Cayman Islands Judicial & Legal Website | An official website of the Cayman Islands Government - Cayman Islands Judicial & Legal Information Website Video Gallery Opening of the Grand Court | 11 January 2023 Watch on Opening of the Grand Court 11 January 2023 Valedictory Ceremony for Retired Hon. PADUCAH The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission has ordered the removal of 42nd Circuit Court Judge Jamie Jameson from office and his disqualification from the Nov. 8 election in an order handed down Friday afternoon. He is a member of Christ Church Cathedral. Expand the delivery and support of Kentucky's civil legal aid programs. In 1978, this Court concluded that the words "for good cause" found in Kentucky's Constitution supply sufficiently definite notice to inform a judge of the type of conduct for which the judge could be disciplined. All rights reserved. And in 2019, Kentucky became one of 11 states to receive a If the complaint states facts that, if true, would constitute official misconduct or otherwise improper conduct, then a copy of the complaint, including the name of the person who filed the complaint, will be provided to the circuit court clerk under investigation. He admitted that his behavior in the videos may have reflected a quick trigger or been the result of particularly stressful days, but he largely defended his actions as necessary to preserve courtroom decorum and punish unacceptable behavior. Christian County Chief Circuit Judge John Atkins has received a public reprimand from the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission regarding his conduct in a pair of criminal cases he oversaw. The hearing included testimony from attorney Lisa DeRenard that Jameson repeatedly asked her to support his reelection campaign against public defender Andrea Moore. Judicial Conduct Commission Kentucky Supreme Court Election Opponent General Election Lawsuit Statement Accusations Andrea Moore Primary Election Bid Circuit Court Judge 42nd District Void. The commission assists the chief justice of Kentucky and the Supreme Court of Kentucky by receiving and investigating these complaints and making recommendations to the chief justice for action. Court of Appeals Judge Jeff S. Taylor, 2nd Appellate District, 1st Division, Pike County Circuit Judge Eddy Coleman, 35th Judicial Circuit, Division 1, Carroll/Grant/Owen Counties District Judge Elizabeth A. Chandler, 15th Judicial District, Division 1, Carroll M. "Trip" Redford III, Lexington, Court of Appeals Judge Glenn E. Acree, 5th Appellate District, 2nd Division, Jefferson Circuit Judge Mitch Perry, 30th Judicial Circuit, Division 3, Green/Marion/Taylor/Washington Counties District Judge Amy S. Anderson, 11th Judicial District, Division 1, Agreed Order of Suspension, March 1, 2023, Formal Proceedings, June 13, 2022-Oct. 10, 2022Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, Nov. 4, 2022, Family Court Judge Julia H. Gordon, 6th Judicial Circuit, Division 3Proceedings, including Agreed Order of Suspension, Oct. 21, 2021-May 2, 2022Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, April 22, 20222022-SC-0171-RR, Oct. 22, 2022, John A. Schmidt, Bullitt County Master Commissioner (former)Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, July 13, 2021Proceedings Aug. 18, 2020-Jan. 8, 2021, Circuit Judge Robert Conley, 20th Judicial Circuit, Div. The commissions purpose is to support circuit court clerks in maintaining high standards of integrity, impartiality and independence in order to promote public confidence in the judicial system. The Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct forms the basis of JEC opinions. Updated July 14, 2021 4:15 PM A former Bullitt County master commissioner was publicly reprimanded Tuesday by the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission over an accusation that he. The conduct occurred inside and outside the courtroom, and in his official capacity. Identify and remove barriers impeding access to the courts. Download the document below to read the JCC's order in full. Jameson doesn't expect a resolution to be reached before the hearing date, but he does hope that his constituency will see his side of the story. The Judicial Conduct Commission is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. 2Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, Nov. 7, 2019Proceedings - May 21, 2018-Nov. 18, 2019, District Judge William W. Roberts, 21st Judicial District, Div. The JEC does not respond to any judge or judicial candidate about the ethical behavior of anyone other than him/herself. 2Agreed Order of Suspension, Oct. 1, 2015Proceedings - April 27, 2015-June 1, 2016, District Court Judge Sam Potter Jr., 8th Judicial District, Div. 03/3 . 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. . The members are four circuit court clerks appointed by the chief justice, one sitting or retired judge appointed by the chief justice, one attorney in good standing with the Kentucky Bar Association appointed by the chief justice and one citizen member appointed by the Kentucky Association of Circuit Court Clerks. The charges included . Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE), Amendment to Administrative Procedures of Circuit Court Clerks Conduct Commission, Refusal or failure to perform required duties, Refusal or failure to conform to Supreme Court of Kentucky policies and directives. 23 Wildcats will honor six seniors, the most . "Unfortunately for Judge Jameson, altruistic intentions do not overcome or eliminatehis serious violations of the Canons of Judicial Conduct," the order continues. The commission suspended Kenton County District Court Judge Ann Ruttle without pay for seven days from April 15 to April 22. Looking for Murray's WKMS Classical Signal? Judicial Conduct Commission hearing in Hopkinsville. All rights reserved. More recently, he earned an LL.M. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct cannot exercise appellate review of a case or change the decision or ruling of any court. He is a Fellow of the University of Kentucky, a Life Fellow of the Kentucky Bar Foundation, and a Founding Fellow of the Fayette County Bar Foundation. Jameson called character witnesses on his behalf, including local attorneys and a circuit clerk who praised his behavior as professional and said he treated defendants, attorneys and law enforcement with respect. If a complaint is not within the JCCs jurisdiction, it will be dismissed without further action. Any individual or group with knowledge of possible circuit court clerk misconduct or wrongdoing may file a written complaint. The attorney in question served on Judge Gentry's GAL panel. Download the WHAS11 News app now. In cases where judges, commissioners and candidates for judicial office are found to have engaged in misconduct or to be incapacitated, the commission can take disciplinary action, including issuing admonitions, reprimands, censures, suspensions or removal from office. hbbd```b`` q m"l@0"W%H^ fo`]T#308|0 M The Commission investigates, reviews complaints against judges, and conducts hearings regarding the alleged misconduct where evidence is presented" (ky.courts.gov). By Tonm Latek Kentucky Today. The Judicial Conduct Commission (Commission) determined that Julia Hawes Gordon, Family Court Judge for the 6th Judicial Circuit in Daviess County, Kentucky, committed judicial misconduct as charged in five of the six counts against her and ordered that she be removed from office. PoorBest. The commission is the sole state entity authorized by the state constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. Develop and implement initiatives to increase access to the courts and meaningful use of the judicial process, such as creative pro bono opportunities, strategic uses of technology and enhanced community education. The Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct defines misconduct through its canons and commentary. Kenton County District Court Judge Ann Ruttle will be suspended for two weeks without pay in May after the Judicial Conduct Commission found she denied appointment of council to a defendant in 2021 who couldn't afford one in a criminal case, according to court records. Christian County Chief Circuit Judge John Atkins has received a public reprimand from the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission regarding his conduct in a pair of criminal cases he oversaw. Create a framework for equitable access to justice by promoting policies, procedures, court rules and legislation that remove barriers to our judicial system. 4Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, May 22, 2018, Circuit Judge Timothy L. Langford, 1st Judicial CircuitAgreed Order of Suspension, April 2, 2018Proceedings - Dec. 19, 2017-March 7, 2018, Family Court Judge W. Mitchell Nance, 43rd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. Prior to being elected to the Supreme Court, Justice VanMeter served thirteen years as a Judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, having been elected in November 2003, and being re-elected unopposed in 2006 and 2014. The grant has allowed the KAJC to develop a strategic plan with the goal of giving all Kentuckians access to justice for their essential civil legal needs. his work with the Community Corrections Board and their efforts to abate drug addiction in the district, Western Ky. judge disqualified from hearing criminal cases, West Ky. judge ordered to vacate office after misconduct charges loses reelection bid, State judicial commission orders west Ky. judge facing misconduct charges be removed from office, Acting as an alter ego for the 42nd Judicial Circuit Community Corrections Board in the creation and development of an ankle monitoring program and failing to separate himself as circuit judge from his duties on the board, creating the appearance of impropriety to the public.. Affirming the decision of the Judicial Conduct Commission, the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld the removal of a judge for (1) coercing members of her guardian ad litem panel to donate the maximum amount to her campaign and to use personal time to campaign on her behalf; using court staff to work on her campaign during work hours; and taking steps 1Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, July 7, 2016 Proceedings - April 1-July 5, 2016, District Court Judge Sheila A. Collins, 30th Judicial District, Div. Jamesons more than 70-page response to the charges, as well as exhibits submitted as evidence in response to them including emails, texts, messages, documents and statements from staff, friends and his personal physician are also included in the commission document. Ht0D4p40,:XP@I`HLI P. Circuit court clerks perform duties prescribed by the Kentucky Constitution, statutes, rules and administrative procedures that are integral to Kentucky Court of Justice operations. 1Amended Agreed Order of Suspension, Dec. 7, 2015, Circuit Court Judge Steven D. Combs, 35th Judicial Circuit, Div.

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