The Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct defines misconduct through its canons and commentary. Supreme Court order to make access to justice a 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. Other opinions that are currently valid should be followed with caution in light of recent federal court rulings that are on appeal. The complainant is notified of what action is taken unless the disposition is a private admonishment or private reprimand. KY judge accused of sex at office faces more ethics charges | Lexington Supreme Court Justice Michelle M. Keller as chair. Judicial Conduct Commission - Kentucky Court of Justice PDF GRAND COURT JUDGE SALARY: CI$242,700.00 per annum In one testy exchange, Jameson told commissioners he believed they were being used for political purposes. 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 Judicial Conduct Commission, which investigates allegations of ethical wrongdoing by judges, first issued nine charges of ethics violations against her last November.. Complaints cannot be anonymous. Supreme Court Rule 4.310 to respond to inquiries by judges and judicial candidates regarding the ethical implications of their own prospective or on-going conduct. The commissions disciplinary actions are subject to judicial review by the Supreme Court of Kentucky on appeal. Justice VanMeter has been actively involved in a number of community organizations, including Little League Baseball, Lexington Youth Soccer, Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America, Parents Place, the University of Kentucky Libraries National Advisory Board, and has served on the vestry of Christ Church Cathedral, on the Vanderbilt University Alumni Board of Directors, and on the Sayre School Board of Trustees. For historical purposes, however, the opinions considered invalid and withdrawn are still contained on the website. You can find it now at 99.5 FM. In January 2018 . MURRAY - Former 42nd Judicial Circuit Court Judge James (Jamie) Jameson released a letter Wednesday from Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission (JCC) and an accompanying press release which claims the JCC "reopened" its case against Jameson "for the purpose of dismissing all charges against" him; however, the JCC's attorney disagrees with that interpretation. Judicial Misconduct and Public Confidence in the Rule of Law Judicial Code of Conduct 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. If a complaint results in a hearing, the JCC provides the judge under review with the information compiled during the commissions investigation, including the name of the person who filed the complaint, if relevant. Each member serves a four-year term. Example video title will go here for this video, Serial killer documentary | Meet the Casanova Killer called 'more brutal than Bundy'. specialist judicial experience of at least five years in the civil/commercial division of a superior court of record is highly desirable; and experience of the trial of criminal and complex financial cases will be an asset. 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. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. to the Kentucky Bar Association for possible suspension or disbarment from the practice of law. 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. The hearing included testimony from attorney Lisa DeRenard that Jameson repeatedly asked her to support his reelection campaign against public defender Andrea Moore. Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Circuit Court Clerk Conduct Commission. They have a prominent role as the face of the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the statewide judicial system. 1Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, June 17, 2015Proceedings - Feb. 19-April 28, 2015, District Judge Sandra L. McLaughlin, 30th Judicial District, Div. Justice VanMeter served the Court of Appeals as acting Chief Judge during 2010, as Chief Judge Pro Tempore from 2007 to 2010, as its representative on the Ethics Committee of the Kentucky Judiciary from 2004 to 2012, and as its alternate member on the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission from 2012 to 2016. View Document - Kentucky Court Rules If you prefer to have a complaint form mailed to you, please call or email the JCC. q The JEC is comprised of one judge from the Court of Appeals, Circuit Court and District Court and two members of the Kentucky Bar Association. Drawer 31Pikeville, KY 41502-0031606-437-6226, Washington County Judicial Center100 E. Main St, Suite 200Springfield, KY 40069859-336-1076, Webster County Judicial Center35 U.S. Highway 41A South, P.O. endstream endobj startxref Circuit Court Clerk Conduct CommissionSupreme Court of KentuckyAttention: Chief of Staff and Counsel, State Capitol, Room 235700 Capitol Ave.Frankfort, KY 40601. Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission voted 3-2 to suspend 42nd Judicial Circuit Judge Jamie Jameson following a daylong hearing in which he told commissioners they were being used for. 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. Box 126Dixon, KY 42409-0126270-639-5506, Pulaski County Court of Justice50 Public Square, P.O. 441 0 obj <>stream Count VII: That Jameson engaged in acts of intimidation. During its early years, the KAJC was chaired by Franklin Circuit Judge Roger L. Crittenden (ret.) Northern Kentucky judge Ann Ruttle suspended again with no pay FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - A sitting circuit judge from western Kentucky was ordered removed from office by the Judicial Conduct Commission on Friday after it found him guilty on seven counts of judicial misconduct. 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. Kentucky Court of Justice - Kentucky Court of Justice Judicial Conduct Commission Brought to you by Free Law Project, a non-profit dedicated to creating high quality open legal information. Mar 2, 2023 Updated 4 min ago FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission on Thursday released its reports in cases involving disciplinary action against two sitting judges, a circuit judge in western Kentucky and a district judge in northern Kentucky. The commission is responsible for disciplinary actions taken against judges. Justice VanMeter practiced law with the Lexington firm of Stoll, Keenon & Park from 1983 to 1994, where his practice areas included equine law, business planning and organizations, real estate, taxation, estate planning, trusts and probate. 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. hbbd```b`` q m"l@0"W%H^ fo`]T#308|0 M 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. The Judicial Conduct Commission issued an order removing Circuit Judge James T. Jameson from office. "I honestly believe 100% when the people from the community I grew up in see what they are labeling as allegations and charges [they'll say], 'Why in the world does anybody think this is wrong? HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. A Kentucky judge was suspended with pay on Friday following testimony that he pressured a lawyer practicing in his court to support his reelection campaign. The complaint said Atkins took the position that as the ultimate fact finder, he had the prerogative to talk to who he wanted and investigate matters independently. NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct File a Complaint All complaints must be signed and in writing. 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 complaint form is provided in a fillable PDF format for users to type their information into the form. 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. Download the document below to read the JCC's order in full. Judicial Conduct Commission Kentucky Supreme Court Election Opponent General Election Lawsuit Statement Accusations Andrea Moore Primary Election Bid Circuit Court Judge 42nd District Void. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. "During the sentencing hearing, Judge Atkins disclosed that he contacted the police officer and . In addition, Justice VanMeter has served on the Probate and Trust Legislative Committee of the Kentucky Bar Association, the Family Court Rules and the Civil Rules Committees of the Kentucky Supreme Court, the Chief Justices Fayette County Family Court Task Force, and is a frequent speaker for continuing legal education. Ruttle violated three rules in the Code of Judicial Conduct for. 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. The panel viewed a number of videos showing Jamesons courtroom demeanor and use of his contempt power. The case this week is being heard by Muhlenberg County Circuit Judge Brian Wiggins. 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Feb. 24, 2017, Family Court Judge Timothy N. Philpot, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. The commission is composed of seven members who serve three-year terms. Sanctions for misconduct range from confidential reprimands to recommendation of removal from office. Even without the complaintsinvolving the community corrections board, its operation and administration, and theassociated rigging of the bid process, the other conduct of Judge Jameson established by theclear and convincing evidence presented at the Temporary Suspension Hearing and FinalHearing is sufficient to justify the Commissions decision herein, and the discipline imposedof removal from office. Section 106(10)(a) of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009 ("the Constitution") requires the Judicial and Legal Services Commission to draw up a code of conduct for the judiciary. 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 Judicial Conduct Commission has filed an extensive "notice of formal proceedings" against Daviess Family Judge Julie Hawes Gordon, . Box 682Somerset, KY 42502-0682606-677-4112, Graydon2400 Chamber Center Drive, Suite 300Fort Mitchell, KY 41017859-578-3070. ", The order says that while Jameson testified and his legal representation argued that he "may have made mistakes" and that he "acknowledged that most if not all the critical and operative conduct as alleged did occur, he steadfastly refused to acknowledge that any of his conduct presented issues or problems or was misconduct or violations of the Canons.". He noted his work with the Community Corrections Board and their efforts to abate drug addiction in the district. 2. The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission on Thursday released its reports in cases involving disciplinary action against two sitting judges, a circuit judge in western Kentucky and a district judge in northern Kentucky. Kentucky will play its first game in the tourney at 9 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals. As part of its strategic plan, the KAJC is currently working to: Capitol Building700 Capital Avenue,Suite 225Frankfort, KY 40601502-564-5493. Kentucky Supreme Court hopeful Joe Fischer loses bid to block inquiry The center offers free legal information for people handling certain civil legal matters on their own. The Commission investigates, reviews complaints against judges, and conducts hearings regarding the alleged misconduct where evidence is presented" (ky.courts.gov). If the JCC files formal charges against a judge, the JCC makes public the charges and any response from the judge. ALRED v. COMMONWEALTH JUDICIAL CONDUCT COMMISSION | FindLaw Fischer filed a suit in federal court Tuesday against the Judicial Conduct Commission (JCC), the body responsible for investigating judicial misconduct, for allegedly violating his First. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 2, 2016, Family Court Judge Lisa Osborne Bushelman, 16th Judicial Circuit, Family Div. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, July 10, 2015, District Court Judge Gregory T. Popovich, 17th Judicial District, Div. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). All rights reserved. Interim judges named after west Ky. judge temporarily suspended by . The Kentucky Access to Justice Commission was established in 2010 by priority for the Judicial Branch. Judicial Conduct Commission Contact - Kentucky Court of Justice 3. Ethics Commission Commission Members and Staff - Kentucky Ht0D4p40,:XP@I`HLI P. Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Jameson also took the stand in his own defense. 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. If the JEC considers the question to have sufficient general interest and importance, it will render a formal opinion that will be published without identifying the requestor. Communications/Training Coordinator Nan Hanley has more than 20 years of experience with the Kentucky Access to Justice Foundation, a statewide resource center for civil legal aid programs. 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. Looking for Murray's WKMS Classical Signal? On August 11, 2022, by Kentucky Supreme Court vacates temporary suspension of local judge facing misconduct charges, Kentucky Supreme Court: JCC should not have suspended Jameson on less than 4 votes, Witnesses tie up loose ends on final day of Jameson misconduct hearing, More witnesses testify on third day of Jameson misconduct hearing, Jameson testimony continues on second day of misconduct hearing, Court employees, former WKMS manager testify regarding allegations against Judge Jamie Jameson, Jameson explains phone call to local radio station, as JCC issues seventh misconduct charge, Judge Jameson accused of another count of misconduct, total rises to 7, Jameson says new charges issued by JCC are inaccurate, Judge Jamie Jameson's motion to appeal suspension denied, Judge files motion challenging his suspension, Judges appointed to fulfil Jameson's duties during suspension, Judge Jamie Jameson claims Judicial Conduct Commission charges are politically motivated, commission votes to suspend him with pay, Judicial Conduct Commission sets hearing date regarding misconduct charges against local judge, Kentucky judge faces misconduct charges from state agency. Panel reprimands KY judge for behavior in court - Lexington Herald Leader 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. 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. The circuit court clerk will also receive a written statement that no retaliation will be taken against the person who filed the complaint. hb```f``a`a`ad@ A+s40311P=J8 $XDXX22C'1Z02J0\`AA&TFE Download the WHAS11 News app now. Also, the JEC does not respond to inquiries from any person who is not a judge or judicial candidate. Jameson has been involved in a lengthy legal battle with the commission after being accused of seven counts of misconduct. 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. 5Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, April 13, 2017, Family Court Judge Kathy W. Stein, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. His late wife, Lucy Bryans VanMeter, and he are the parents of four children. Count II: That Jameson acted as the alter ego for the CCB in the implementation and operation of its ankle monitoring program. The state Supreme Court's decision came up in the JCC's findings of fact and final order regarding count VI. %%EOF The code provides rules that should assist judges and candidates for judicial positions to always maintain the dignity of judicial office and to avoid both impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in their professional and personal lives. 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. Sanctions for misconduct range from confidential reprimands for minor technical violations to removal from office for major violations. Complaints must be submitted in writing to the JCC. Laurance B. VanMeter was elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court in November 2016 from the 5th Appellate District, comprising Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Scott, and Woodford Counties. 502-573-2350 . Judicial agency investigating Gordon | News | messenger-inquirer.com & 5Agreed Order of Disability Retirement, Aug. 23, 2016Order of Temporary Retirement, May 2, 2016, Circuit Court Judge Olu A. Stevens, 30th Judicial Circuit, Div. 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.