Kentuckys civil legal aid programs, the judiciary, the Kentucky Bar Association, the private bar, law schools, and business and community organizations. Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct forms the basis of JEC opinions. 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 27, 2016, Family Court Judge Kathy W. Stein, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. 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. Executive Director Glenda Harrison worked for more than 40 years with the Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, most recently as its advocacy director. Many more have resulted in private discipline. he was the victim of the alleged assault by the defendant," the judicial conduct panel wrote in its report. Home Chambers5 Cleveland Ave., Suite 500Winchester, KY 40391Phone: 859-901-1616 "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. 2. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. The Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct forms the basis of JEC opinions. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. Identify and assess current and future needs of low- and moderate-income Kentuckians in matters related to access to civil justice. 23 Wildcats will honor six seniors, the most . [1] The following types of circuit court clerk misconduct may lead to disciplinary actions. 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). They have a prominent role as the face of the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the statewide judicial system. All rights reserved. In one testy exchange, Jameson told commissioners he believed they were being used for political purposes. 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.. Since its inception, the JCC's actions have resulted in removal from the bench, involuntarily retirement and public discipline. 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601. 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. The person who filed the complaint may be subpoenaed as a witness if he or she has personal knowledge of wrongdoing. As part of the agreement, Gaujot resigned as magistrate and agreed . 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.. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WV News) Monongalia County Magistrate Phillip Todd Gaujot resigned on Monday following an investigation by the Judicial Investigation Commission, which officially admonished him for the second time on Tuesday. 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. 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. Partner with other service providers to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the statewide delivery system. Kentucky Rules of the Supreme Court (SCR) 4.300. On Tuesday, the first day of the 2023 . ", 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. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). 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. Also, the JEC does not respond to inquiries from any person who is not a judge or judicial candidate. Judicial Conduct Commission Kentucky Supreme Court Election Opponent General Election Lawsuit Statement Accusations Andrea Moore Primary Election Bid Circuit Court Judge 42nd District Void. He was elected to the court in 2006 and was removed from office in July 2012. 6Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 12, 2016, Circuit Court Judge Vernon Miniard Jr., 57th Judicial Circuit, Div. (Ryan Hermens/The Paducah Sun via AP, File). Judicial Conduct Commission Brought to you by Free Law Project, a non-profit dedicated to creating high quality open legal information. IV Judicial Conduct Commission (Refs & Annos) Rules of the Supreme Court (SCR), Rule 4.020. Count VI: That Jameson had a pattern of noncompliance and interference with the JCC's orders. 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. All rights reserved. The JEC elects a chair of the committee. %%EOF priority for the Judicial Branch. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular articles. A public reprimand was issued against Christian County Circuit Judge John L. Atkins, after finding that he improperly contacted a police officer who [] Kentucky will play its first game in the tourney at 9 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals. The JCC announced its decision Friday, about two weeks after it held a four-day hearing on the misconduct allegations against Jameson. 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. 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. The Judicial Conduct Commission is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. 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. 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. 2Agreed Order of Suspension, Oct. 1, 2015Proceedings - April 27, 2015-June 1, 2016, District Court Judge Sam Potter Jr., 8th Judicial District, Div. 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. Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Circuit Court Clerk Conduct Commission. 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. A native of western Kentucky, Operle earned his bachelor's degree in integrated strategic communications from the University of Kentucky in 2014. The commissions disciplinary actions are subject to judicial review by the Supreme Court of Kentucky on appeal. Box 4266Frankfort, KY 40604-4266. Combs & Combs203 Main St., P.O. It operates under the Kentucky Supreme Court and serves as an investigative body in matters of judicial conduct. She also testified that Jameson put her on the spot at a fundraising event, asking her to speak in support of his campaign. All rights reserved. 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, July 10, 2015, District Court Judge Gregory T. Popovich, 17th Judicial District, Div. The Judicial Conduct Commission issued an order removing Circuit Judge James T. Jameson from office. 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. Judicial Conduct Commission declares Judge Jamie Jameson unfit for office, disqualifies him from upcoming election, Your photos of ice and snow, Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Jameson was placed under a temporary, paid suspension by the JCC back in August pending the results of the proceedings. "Unfortunately for Judge Jameson, altruistic intentions do not overcome or eliminatehis serious violations of the Canons of Judicial Conduct," the order continues. 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 . The complaint filed with the judicial commission said Atkins entered the gallery during jury deliberations and spoke with the victims families and members of the church. 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. You can fill out our complaint form online, print the form and mail it, or send us a letter describing the alleged misconduct. 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. 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. Currentness (1) Commission shall have authority: . 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: 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. As a result, Count VI is now not considered by or factored into the discipline imposed by the Commission herein. %PDF-1.7 % The list of opinions and the opinions themselves contain the pertinent information so that users can take notice of their status and proceed accordingly. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 2, 2016, Family Court Judge Lisa Osborne Bushelman, 16th Judicial Circuit, Family Div. 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 More recently, he earned an LL.M. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 1, 2015, District Court Judge Cathy E. Prewitt, 34th Judicial Circuit, Div. If you prefer to have a complaint form mailed to you, please call or email the JCC. 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. His violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct were extensive and frequent. Create a framework for equitable access to justice by promoting policies, procedures, court rules and legislation that remove barriers to our judicial system. ", 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. 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. Some opinions that are still valid reference canon numbers from the old 1978 Code of Judicial Conduct and the new canons are noted. 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. You have permission to edit this article. 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 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. 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. 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. 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 endstream endobj 414 0 obj <> endobj 415 0 obj <> endobj 416 0 obj <>stream Identify and assess current and future needs of low- and moderate-income Kentuckians in matters related to access to civil justice. 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 JCC says its members believe they have the legal basis to "find and conclude that Judge Jameson should be permanently removed from judicial office because the totality of the clear and convincing evidence presented at the Temporary Suspension Hearing and Final Hearing established that he is unfit for judicial office.". A Kentucky judge who sent one man to jail without a hearing and "strongly castigated" another has been reprimanded. Governor Andy Beshear appointed Karem to the Commission on May 27, 2020 to a four-year term, which expires May 27, 2024. 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. ForAppleorAndroidusers. All rights reserved. Commission proceedings provide a fair and objective means to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. 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 . Fax: 859-901-1618, State Capitol700 Capital Ave., Room 231Frankfort, KY 40601Phone: 502-564-4162. 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Feb. 24, 2017, Family Court Judge Timothy N. Philpot, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. Complaints must be submitted in writing to the JCC. Box 126Dixon, KY 42409-0126270-639-5506, Pulaski County Court of Justice50 Public Square, P.O. Count I: That Jameson acted as the alter ego of the 42nd Judicial Circuit Community Corrections Board in the creation and development of an ankle monitoring program and failed to separate himself as judge from his duties at the CCP, creating the appearance of impropriety to the public. Communications between the requestor and the JEC members are confidential. The Judicial Ethics Committee operates under 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). PADUCAH The Judicial Conduct Commission of Kentucky has publicized a 254 page document detailing the formal proceedings and charges against 42nd Judicial Circuit Court Judge James T. Jameson . The rules governing the JCC require confidentiality during the investigation process. Supreme Court Justice Michelle M. Keller as chair. 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. FOOTNOTES. His fellow justices elected him as chief justice of Kentucky for a four-year term that started in January 2023. Have a news tip? In addition to his work in the news industry, Operle is a passionate movie lover and concertgoer. Create a framework for equitable access to justice by promoting policies, procedures, court rules and legislation that remove barriers to our judicial system. Propriety and the The center offers free legal information for people handling certain civil legal matters on their own. Chief Justice Sir Anthony Smellie | 16 January 2023 The panel viewed a number of videos showing Jamesons courtroom demeanor and use of his contempt power. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. 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. 1Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 23, 2019, Circuit Judge Allan Ray Bertram, 11th Judicial Circuit, Div. 1Public Reprimand, Sept. 9, 2020, District Judge Donna G. Dutton, 53rd Judicial District, Div. 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. The Judicial Conduct Commission,. . 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. . 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. 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. Sanctions for misconduct range from confidential reprimands to recommendation of removal from office. Kenton County District Judge Ann Ruttle among two disciplined by KY Judicial Conduct Commission. The Judicial Conduct Commission has filed an extensive "notice of formal proceedings" against Daviess Family Judge Julie Hawes Gordon, . in 1983 from the University of Kentucky College of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and the Kentucky Law Journal. Judge Gordon 17Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, July 21, 2014, District Court Judge Rebecca S. Ward, 55th Judicial Circuit, Div. He noted his work with the Community Corrections Board and their efforts to abate drug addiction in the district. The case this week is being heard by Muhlenberg County Circuit Judge Brian Wiggins. 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 State Commission on Judicial Conduct cannot exercise appellate review of a case or change the decision or ruling of any court. Example video title will go here for this video, Serial killer documentary | Meet the Casanova Killer called 'more brutal than Bundy'. [Judge Maze's] impartiality might reasonably be questioned. 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. 03/3 . Justice VanMeter was born in 1958 in Lexington, and was raised in Winchester. Jameson was also accused of unbecoming conduct. 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. Jameson has been involved in a lengthy legal battle with the commission after being accused of seven counts of misconduct. 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. In vacating the suspension, the high court did not weigh in on the validity of the misconduct allegations. 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 Judicial Conduct Commission, which investigates allegations of ethical wrongdoing by judges, first issued nine charges of ethics violations against her last November.. 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. ", 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.". The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission is the only agency in Kentucky authorized to take disciplinary action against a sitting judge. 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.