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The mission of the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission is to encourage judges, commissioners and candidates for judicial office to maintain high standards of conduct and promote public confidence in the integrity, independence, competence, and impartiality of Kentuckys judiciary. 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. U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell on Monday denied Fischer's request that she block the state Judicial Conduct Commission from further action against his campaign over complaints it had. Communications between the requestor and the JEC members are confidential. 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. 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. 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. Rule 2.9 - Ex parte Communications (A)A judge shall not initiate, permit, or consider ex parte communications, or consider other communications made to the judge outside the presence of the parties or their lawyers, concerning a pending* or impending* matter, except as follows: On Tuesday, the first day of the 2023 . Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE), Supreme Court Order Appointing Members to KJCMH, Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health. endstream endobj startxref Click here to see the Code. The JCC carefully reviews complaints to determine if they are within its jurisdiction. In one testy exchange, Jameson told commissioners he believed they were being used for political purposes. The Judicial Conduct Commission found Shan guilty of engaging in the following misconduct. Judge Gentry's order appointing the three attorneys, entered . HW[S~W}qJ,{R`*ba_I}Org57U~yu]}.[-2j#z( "Tojustify his conduct, he expressed his belief that 'generational' differences motivate modernjudges to be more involved in finding solutions to societys problems," the order states. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. The JCC also has authority over trial commissioners, domestic relations commissioners, master commissioners and attorneys who are candidates for judicial office. The Judicial Conduct Commission is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. 5Agreed Order of Disability Retirement, Aug. 23, 2016Order of Temporary Retirement, May 2, 2016, Circuit Court Judge Olu A. Stevens, 30th Judicial Circuit, Div. Count IV: That Jameson used his influence and the prestige of his office to pressure people to donate to or support his political campaign. She also testified that Jameson put her on the spot at a fundraising event, asking her to speak in support of his campaign. "Unfortunately for Judge Jameson, altruistic intentions do not overcome or eliminatehis serious violations of the Canons of Judicial Conduct," the order continues. 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. Russell D. Alred was a Kentucky Circuit Courts judge for the Twenty-Sixth Circuit, serving Harlan County of Kentucky. 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. Jameson is up for reelection, but the panel went further to say that he is unfit for office in . That suspension was vacated by the Kentucky Supreme Court on Monday, because the JCC voted to suspend Jameson on a 3-2 vote, when the law requires at least four votes to suspend a judge. Supreme Court order to make access to justice a Judge Gordon The JCCs mission is to protect the public, to encourage judges, commissioners and candidates for judicial office to maintain high standards of conduct, and to promote public confidence in the integrity, independence, competence, and impartiality of the judiciary. The JEC has withdrawn some of its formal opinions due to changes in the rules, statutes and case law. Download the document below to read the JCC's order in full. Create a framework for equitable access to justice by promoting policies, procedures, court rules and legislation that remove barriers to our judicial system. 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. 6Agreed Order of Suspension, Aug. 8, 2016Proceedings - Feb. 18-Aug. 11, 2016, District Court Judge Gregory T. Popovich, 17th Judicial District, Div. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Jan. 17, 2019, District Judge Sandra L. McLaughlin, 30th Judicial District, Div. The JEC will provide an informal opinion to the requestor if it considers the question to be of limited applicability. To attempt to change the outcome of your case, please discuss this with an attorney immediately. The conduct occurred inside and outside the courtroom, and in his official capacity. Executive Director Glenda Harrison worked for more than 40 years with the Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, most recently as its advocacy director. If a complaint is not within the JCCs jurisdiction, it will be dismissed without further action. The Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct forms the basis of JEC opinions. 6Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 12, 2016, Circuit Court Judge Vernon Miniard Jr., 57th 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. 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. "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? 02 Mar 2023 17:49:48 Crit Luallen, Member . If the JCC files formal charges against a judge, the JCC makes public the charges and any response from the judge. Formal proceedings and charges against 42nd Judicial Circuit Court Judge James T. "Jamie" Jameson - who presides over Calloway and Marshall counties - were detailed in a 254-page document released by the Judicial Conduct Commission of Kentucky Thursday.. 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. Print the completed form, sign the signature line on page 2 and mail the form to the commission. The circuit court clerk will also receive a written statement that no retaliation will be taken against the person who filed the complaint. The Writ vacated and set aside the Commissions Order of Temporary Suspension and declared it void ab initio. . 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 the sole state entity authorized by the state constitution to take disciplinary action . 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 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. A public reprimand was issued against Christian County Circuit Judge John L. Atkins, after finding that he improperly contacted a police officer who [] Circuit Court Clerk Conduct CommissionSupreme Court of KentuckyAttention: Chief of Staff and Counsel, State Capitol, Room 235700 Capitol Ave.Frankfort, KY 40601. Judge Jamie Jameson took the stand Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, during aJudicial Conduct Commission hearing in Hopkinsville. You can fill out our complaint form online, print the form and mail it, or send us a letter describing the alleged misconduct. Judge Julie Hawes Gordon has failed not only my family but a lot of oth Other opinions that are currently valid should be followed with caution in light of recent federal court rulings that are on appeal. Sanctions for misconduct range from confidential reprimands to recommendation of removal from office. 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. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, May 12, 2014, Circuit Court Judge Frank A. Fletcher, 39th Judicial Circuit, Div. The resolution filed Wednesday calls for an impeachment inquiry of Rick Boling, the commonwealth's attorney for the 3rd Judicial Circuit in Christian County. endstream endobj 417 0 obj <>stream 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Feb. 24, 2017, Family Court Judge Timothy N. Philpot, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. 2Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 4, 2020, Family Court Judge Dawn M. Gentry, 16th Judicial Circuit, Family Div. Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Circuit Court Clerk Conduct Commission. Jameson was also accused of unbecoming conduct. 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. Justice VanMeter currently serves as chairman of the Kentucky Evidence Rules Review Commission, as Co-Chair of the Supreme Courts Civil Rules Committee, and is the Supreme Courts liaison to the Kentucky Bar Associations Continuing Legal Education Commission and to the Kentucky Office of Bar Admissions. In January 2018 . Box 682Somerset, KY 42502-0682606-677-4112, Graydon2400 Chamber Center Drive, Suite 300Fort Mitchell, KY 41017859-578-3070. 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 Supreme Court affirmed the findings of fact, conclusions of law and final order issuing a public reprimand against Beth Lewis Maze, Judge of the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit, Second Division, holding that the Judicial Conduct Commission appropriately issued a public reprimand. In 2017, Chief Justice Minton named Jameson was placed under a temporary, paid suspension by the JCC back in August pending the results of the proceedings. The attorney in question served on Judge Gentry's GAL panel. On August 11, 2022, by Mismanaging his courtroom and engaging in acts of retaliation and deviating from acceptable standards of judicial conduct. If an individual is found to have engaged in misconduct or be incapacitated, the JCC takes appropriate disciplinary action. . 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. FILE - Marshall County Circuit Court Judge Jamie Jameson listens to proceedings during a hearing at the Marshall County Judicial Building in Benton, Ky., Monday, March 12, 2018. Linda AveryCalloway County Circuit Court Clerk, Loretta CradyHardin County Circuit Court Clerk, Stephanie King-LogsdonMcLean County Circuit Court Clerk, Mike ReddenPendleton County Circuit Court Clerk, Vincent RiggsFayette County Circuit Court Clerk, Tommy GarrettMetcalfe County Circuit Court Clerk, Craig OverstreetCasey County Circuit Court Clerk, Tyler PhillipsLee County Circuit Court Clerk. 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. The following types of circuit court clerk misconduct may lead to disciplinary actions. Operating under Supreme Court of Kentucky rules, the JCC investigates complaints of judicial misconduct, wrongdoing or disability. The KJCMH is charged with exploring, recommending, andimplementing transformational changes to improve system wide responses to justice-involved individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, and/or intellectual and developmentaldisabilities. Judicial misconduct is different. 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 rules governing the commission require confidentiality during the investigation process. Noteworthy events Misconduct charges filed (2011) The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission publicly announced in late March 2011 that it was investigating 20 counts of judicial misconduct against . The Canon and Rules are set out in the Code of Judicial Conduct. 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. 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. Partner with other service providers to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the statewide delivery system. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). 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 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. All rights reserved. %%EOF The commission suspended Kenton County District Court Judge Ann Ruttle without pay for seven days from April 15 to April 22. 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. The complaint form is provided in a fillable PDF format for users to type their information into the form. Failed to act in manner promoting public . "There is no doubt that he has broughtthe integrity and respect for the judiciary within Calloway and Marshall Counties intodisrepute and that his improper actions violate the Canons. Sanctions for misconduct range from confidential reprimands for minor technical violations to removal from office for major violations. ", 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. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE), Formal Proceedings, June 13, 2022-Oct. 10, 2022, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, Nov. 4, 2022, Proceedings, including Agreed Order of Suspension, Oct. 21, 2021-May 2, 2022, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, April 22, 2022, Agreed Order of Suspension, April 7, 2021, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, July 13, 2021, Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 4, 2020, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, Aug. 31, 2020, Proceedings - Nov. 18, 2019-Aug. 12, 2020, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 23, 2019, Agreed Order of Permanent Retirement, Dec. 18, 2019, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, Nov. 7, 2019, Agreed Order of Suspension, Jan. 17, 2019, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, June 12, 2018, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, May 22, 2018, Agreed Order of Suspension, April 2, 2018, Proceedings - Dec. 19, 2017-March 7, 2018, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, Dec. 19, 2017, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, April 13, 2017, Agreed Order of Suspension, March 21, 2017, Agreed Order of Temporary Suspension From Duties Pending Final Adjudication, March 15, 2017, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Feb. 24, 2017, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Jan. 6, 2017, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 27, 2016, Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 12, 2016, Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 2, 2016, Agreed Order of Disability Retirement, Aug. 23, 2016, Order of Temporary Retirement, May 2, 2016, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, July 7, 2016, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, April 21, 2016, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 18, 2015, Amended Agreed Order of Suspension, Dec. 7, 2015, Proceedings - April 27, 2015-June 1, 2016, Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 1, 2015, Agreed Order of Suspension, July 10, 2015, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, June 17, 2015, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 29, 2014, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, July 21, 2014, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Oct. 7, 2013, Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law and Final Order & Public Reprimand, Aug. 12, 2013, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order & Public Reprimand, Sept. 28, 2012-June 17, 2013, Privately admonish or privately reprimand the judge, Remove the judge from office or, in the case of disability, order the judge to retire from the bench. 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 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 case this week is being heard by Muhlenberg County Circuit Judge Brian Wiggins. 03/3 . 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. 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. Please include your name, mailing address and phone number in the request. The Judicial Ethics Committee operates under 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 . 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. You can find it now at 99.5 FM. The post holder will be subject to a Code of Conduct promulgated by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. Any individual or group with knowledge of possible circuit court clerk misconduct or wrongdoing may file a written complaint. Commission proceedings provide a fair and objective means to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. This list is not all-inclusive. However, if the question is ever before the Supreme Court, the JEC and the Supreme Court shall take into consideration the judge or judicial candidates reliance upon the JEC opinion. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 1, 2015, District Court Judge Cathy E. Prewitt, 34th Judicial Circuit, Div. 2Agreed Order of Suspension, Oct. 1, 2015Proceedings - April 27, 2015-June 1, 2016, District Court Judge Sam Potter Jr., 8th Judicial District, Div. By Tonm Latek Kentucky Today. 10Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, April 21, 2016Proceedings - Jan. 11-April 18, 2016, District Court Judge Kenneth L. Easterling, 16th Judicial District, Div. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 27, 2016, Family Court Judge Kathy W. Stein, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. 3. priority for the Judicial Branch. Count VI: That Jameson had a pattern of noncompliance and interference with the JCC's orders. 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. 1Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, July 7, 2016 Proceedings - April 1-July 5, 2016, District Court Judge Sheila A. Collins, 30th Judicial District, Div. The mission of the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission is to encourage judges, commissioners and candidates for judicial office to maintain high standards of conduct and promote public. Looking for Murray's WKMS Classical Signal? The Supreme Court created the Circuit Court Clerk Conduct Commission after consulting with the full membership of the Kentucky Association of Circuit Court Clerks and adopting an administrative procedure that became effective Jan. 1, 2013. From 1994 to 1999, he served as a judge of the Fayette District Court, 22nd District, Division 1. Chief Justice Sir Anthony Smellie | 16 January 2023 And in 2019, Kentucky became one of 11 states to receive a 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. His late wife, Lucy Bryans VanMeter, and he are the parents of four children. Increase public awareness of civil legal aid and the justice system and their positive impact on the state and local communities. Propriety and the The state of Kentucky presented Robert B. Conley with a law license in 1981 after he graduated from Northern Kentucky University School of Law. All subsequent pleadings are also made public and any hearing related to the charges is public. Count III: That Jameson mismanaged his courtroom, retaliated against individuals and deviated from the acceptable standards of judicial conduct (During the four days of hearings, two points included in this count were dismissed, including an accusation that Jameson required people in his courtroom to attend Riverwoods Recovery over other treatment options and an accusation that he regularly represented Riverwoods as the only intensive out-patient treatment program available). In 2022, the KAJC worked with several partners to launch the Fayette County Legal Help Center in Lexington. 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. Judicial Conduct Commission Brought to you by Free Law Project, a non-profit dedicated to creating high quality open legal information. Kentucky judge, hit with 45 ethics violations in July, is ordered removed from the bench Andrew Wolfson Louisville Courier Journal The Judicial Conduct Commission found Friday that Circuit. Supreme Court Order 2022-42, the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health (KJCMH) was established. 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 18, 2015, District Court Judge Sam Potter Jr., 8th Judicial District, Div. ADDRESS: 19 D.J Everett Drive, Cadiz, KY 42211 Phone: 270-522-3232 fax: 270-522-1110 email: [email protected], 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. 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. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). [Judge Maze's] impartiality might reasonably be questioned. 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 The commission is composed of seven members who serve three-year terms. The order the commission issued Friday found Jameson guilty of all counts. . 13 In Nicholson v. Jameson was suspended with pay on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, following testimony that he pressured a lawyer practicing in his court to support his reelection campaign. Count VII: That Jameson engaged in acts of intimidation. The state Judicial Conduct Commission Friday ordered a western Kentucky judge facing multiple misconduct charges be removed from office and barred serving the next term in office.. 42nd Judicial . The hearing included testimony from attorney Lisa DeRenard that Jameson repeatedly asked her to support his reelection campaign against public defender Andrea Moore. Identify and assess current and future needs of low- and moderate-income Kentuckians in matters related to access to civil justice. While the majority of Kentucky's judges are committed to maintaining the high standards expected of the judiciary, an effective method of imposing sanctions on judges who engage in misconduct or wrongdoing is essential to the efficient operation of the judicial system.