endstream endobj startxref 3Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, June 12, 2018, Circuit Judge Charles L. Cunningham Jr., 30th Judicial Circuit, Div. "The Judicial Conduct Commission (JCC) is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. The JCC carefully reviews complaints to determine if they are within its jurisdiction. The Judicial Conduct Commission found Shan guilty of engaging in the following misconduct. Increase resources and funding for access to justice in civil legal matters. The commission only has the authority to review complaints made against elected circuit court clerks and not the nonelected deputy circuit court clerks or office staff. And she said Jameson pressured her to make a bar complaint against Amy Harwood-Jackson, a public defender who supports his opponent. Complaints must be submitted in writing to the JCC. 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. 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. Judicial Conduct Commission Brought to you by Free Law Project, a non-profit dedicated to creating high quality open legal information. Combs & Combs203 Main St., P.O. 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. %%EOF Please include your name, mailing address and phone number in the request. 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 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 . Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission - Ballotpedia The post holder will be subject to a Code of Conduct promulgated by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. The attorney in question served on Judge Gentry's GAL panel. 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. Box 4266Frankfort, KY 40604-4266. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, May 12, 2014, Circuit Court Judge Frank A. Fletcher, 39th Judicial Circuit, Div. 2Agreed Order of Permanent Retirement, Dec. 18, 2019, Circuit Judge Beth L. Maze, 21st Judicial Circuit, Div. In 2017, Chief Justice Minton named A measure that would ban gender transition services from being performed on anyone under the age of 18 was on a fast track in the House on Thursday, winning committee . Ruttle violated three rules in the Code of Judicial Conduct for. He formerly served on the Board of Trustees of the Kentucky Judicial Form Retirement Systems from 2009 to 2018, serving as chairman of that Board for two terms (2012-16, and 2017-18), with an intervening term as chairman of the Judicial Retirement Fund Investment Committee (2016-17). 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. Former Lieutenant Governor Crit Luallen is known as one of Kentucky's most experienced and respected public leaders, after serving with . The state Judicial Conduct Commission issued the public reprimand against. 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 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. While the majority of Kentucky's circuit court clerks are committed to maintaining the high standards expected of the office, an effective method of imposing sanctions on circuit court clerks who engage in misconduct or wrongdoing is essential to the efficient operation of the judicial system. Judge James T. Jameson had been in office since 2016, as a judge of the 42 nd Circuit, which includes Marshall and Calloway counties . Final disposition of some complaints takes several months or longer. The Commission investigates, reviews complaints against judges, and conducts hearings regarding the alleged misconduct where evidence is presented" (ky.courts.gov). The commission suspended Kenton County District Court Judge Ann Ruttle without pay for seven days from April 15 to April 22. 'Shocks the conscience.' Panel orders Kentucky judge removed over The Writ vacated and set aside the Commissions Order of Temporary Suspension and declared it void ab initio. Increase opportunities for the private bar to provide pro bono representation for low- and moderate-income Kentuckians. 1Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Oct. 7, 2013, Senior Status Special Judge (former) Martin F. McDonald Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law and Final Order & Public Reprimand, Aug. 12, 2013Proceedings - May 13-Aug. 12, 2013, Circuit Judge Timothy L. Langford, 1st Judicial CircuitFindings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order & Public Reprimand, Sept. 28, 2012-June 17, 2013, Judicial Conduct CommissionP.O. 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. KY judge accused of sex at office faces more ethics charges | Lexington For historical purposes, however, the opinions considered invalid and withdrawn are still contained on the website. Some opinions that are still valid reference canon numbers from the old 1978 Code of Judicial Conduct and the new canons are noted. 13 In Nicholson v. The JCC also has authority over trial commissioners, domestic relations commissioners, master commissioners and attorneys who are candidates for judicial office. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). The circuit court clerk will also receive a written statement that no retaliation will be taken against the person who filed the complaint. For example, if the Commission finds a judge's actions to be misconduct, the Commission can issue sanctions against the judge, or seek the judge's removal from the bench. . Commission proceedings provide a fair and objective means to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. If the JCC files formal charges against a judge, the JCC makes public the charges and any response from the judge. $8@G t4$},}@IA( cJ)*88#ro~eYIYX}"V |p 3y ", In its findings of fact, the JCC says the allegations it was presented with in initial complaints and in formal hearings "include serious claims of lack of judicial temperament, abuse of contempt power, due process violations, abuse of judicial office/power, improper implementation, use and administration of ankle monitors and processes, fundraising matters, 'bid rigging,' incidents taking place in the Marshall County courthouse investigated by the Marshall County Sheriffs office, obstruction of justice, misuse and abuse of power, various improprieties as a judicial officer, the appearance of impropriety, improper exercise of influence, misusing and abusing the prestige and power of his judicial office, retaliation, and a lack of candor to the relevant tribunals. ", 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.". You can fill out our complaint form online, print the form and mail it, or send us a letter describing the alleged misconduct. These functions are handled through the appeal process available through the appropriate appellate court. 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. Communications between the requestor and the JEC members are confidential. 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. 1Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Jan. 6, 2017, District Court Judge Shan F. Embry, 46th 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. Ht0D4p40,:XP@I`HLI P. 2. In vacating the suspension, the high court did not weigh in on the validity of the misconduct allegations. degree, May 2020, from Duke University School of Law and, in July 2020, was elected to The American Law Institute. 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. influences and must conduct him/herself at all times in a way that is consistent with the dignity of high judicial office. NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct File a Complaint All complaints must be signed and in writing. As a result, Count VI is now not considered by or factored into the discipline imposed by the Commission herein. 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 clerks perform duties prescribed by the Kentucky Constitution, statutes, rules and administrative procedures that are integral to Kentucky Court of Justice operations. State commission disciplines Christian Circuit Judge John Atkins with a