Operle spent five years working for Paxton Media/The Paducah Sun as a reporter and editor. Western Ky. judge facing charges from state judicial conduct commission [1] The conduct occurred inside and outside the courtroom, and in his official capacity. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 1, 2015, District Court Judge Cathy E. Prewitt, 34th Judicial Circuit, Div. The violations are not a criminal charge. Justice VanMeter was appointed and then elected to the Fayette Circuit Court bench in 1999 on which he served until his election to the Court of Appeals. The state Judicial Conduct Commission issued the public reprimand against. 3. Kentucky prosecutor Rick Boling targeted with impeachment 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 18, 2015, District Court Judge Sam Potter Jr., 8th Judicial District, Div. The JCC carefully reviews complaints to determine if they are within its jurisdiction. 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. 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. 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 Download the WHAS11 News app now. 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. Some opinions that are still valid reference canon numbers from the old 1978 Code of Judicial Conduct and the new canons are noted. The complaint form is available in PDF format and is fillable online. The following types of circuit court clerk misconduct may lead to disciplinary actions. 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. 5Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, April 13, 2017, Family Court Judge Kathy W. Stein, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. Emailassign@whas11.com, visit ourFacebook pageorTwitter feed. 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. Sanctions for misconduct range from confidential reprimands to recommendation of removal from office. Judge Julie Hawes Gordon has failed not only my family but a lot of oth The Judicial Conduct Commission is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. 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. 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Feb. 24, 2017, Family Court Judge Timothy N. Philpot, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. Any individual or group with knowledge of possible circuit court clerk misconduct or wrongdoing may file a written complaint. to the Kentucky Bar Association for possible suspension or disbarment from the practice of law. Judicial Misconduct and Public Confidence in the Rule of Law PDF Commonwealth of Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission in Re the Matter Commission proceedings provide a fair and objective means to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. 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 commission suspended Kenton County District Court Judge Ann Ruttle without pay for seven days from April 15 to April 22. The commission is composed of seven members who serve three-year terms. The resolution filed Wednesday calls for an impeachment inquiry of Rick Boling, the commonwealth's attorney for the 3rd Judicial Circuit in Christian County. [Judge Maze's] impartiality might reasonably be questioned. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct cannot exercise appellate review of a case or change the decision or ruling of any court. The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission voted 3-2 to suspend Judge Jamie Jameson after he was accused of pressuring a lawyer to support his reelection campaign. Any individual or group with knowledge of possible circuit court clerk misconduct or wrongdoing may file a written complaint. 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 political purposes, The Paducah Sun reported. All rights reserved. Justice VanMeter is married to Fayette Circuit Judge, Lucy A. VanMeter. Karem was elected Vice Chair of the Commission July 14, 2020. The Canon and Rules are set out in the Code of Judicial Conduct. 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. If an individual is found to have engaged in misconduct or be incapacitated, the JCC takes appropriate disciplinary action. The JEC has withdrawn some of its formal opinions due to changes in the rules, statutes and case law. "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? The order the commission issued Friday found Jameson guilty of all counts. 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. 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. Failed to act in manner promoting public . 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 GENTRY v. JUDICIAL CONDUCT COMMISSION (2020) | FindLaw Maze v. Judicial Conduct Commission :: 2020 :: Kentucky - Justia Law 23 Wildcats will honor six seniors, the most . 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. 5Agreed Order of Disability Retirement, Aug. 23, 2016Order of Temporary Retirement, May 2, 2016, Circuit Court Judge Olu A. Stevens, 30th Judicial Circuit, Div. "Unfortunately for Judge Jameson, altruistic intentions do not overcome or eliminatehis serious violations of the Canons of Judicial Conduct," the order continues. 3Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 29, 2014, Judicial Candidate Dana M. Cohen, 30th Judicial District, Div. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, July 10, 2015, District Court Judge Gregory T. Popovich, 17th Judicial District, Div. Actions can include admonition, reprimand, suspension or removal from office. Increase public awareness of civil legal aid and the justice system and their positive impact on the state and local communities. Former Judge Jameson challenges November election, claims incoming 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. Judge Donna Dutton of Shelbyville, KY; ethical goblin. 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. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. Ethics Commission Commission Members and Staff - Kentucky . 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 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.". Kentucky Court of Justice - Kentucky Court of Justice You have permission to edit this article. The evidence to sustain the charges before the Commission must be "clear and convincing." 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. The complainant is notified of what action is taken unless the disposition is a private admonishment or private reprimand. Click here to see the Code. Judge Gordon 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. Northern Kentucky judge suspended again | WKRC Box 682Somerset, KY 42502-0682606-677-4112, Graydon2400 Chamber Center Drive, Suite 300Fort Mitchell, KY 41017859-578-3070. Count VII: That Jameson engaged in acts of intimidation.