For historical purposes, however, the opinions considered invalid and withdrawn are still contained on the website. She has since filed an appeal. The commissions disciplinary actions are subject to judicial review by the Supreme Court of Kentucky on appeal. 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. Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Identify and assess current and future needs of low- and moderate-income Kentuckians in matters related to access to civil justice. 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. You can find it now at 99.5 FM. 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. 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. Ruttle violated three rules in the Code of Judicial Conduct for. 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. The JEC elects a chair of the committee. Kentucky Rules of the Supreme Court (SCR) 4.300. Supreme Court Order 2022-42, the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health (KJCMH) was established. The Commission investigates, reviews complaints against judges, and conducts hearings regarding the alleged misconduct where evidence is presented" (ky.courts.gov). The post holder will be subject to a Code of Conduct promulgated by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. He was elected to the court in 2006 and was removed from office in July 2012. 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 Judicial Conduct Commission is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. Justice for All planning grant from the National Center for State Courts. 1Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 23, 2019, Circuit Judge Allan Ray Bertram, 11th Judicial Circuit, Div. Operle spent five years working for Paxton Media/The Paducah Sun as a reporter and editor. "During the sentencing hearing, Judge Atkins disclosed that he contacted the police officer and . ", 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. She also testified that Jameson put her on the spot at a fundraising event, asking her to speak in support of his campaign. The Judicial Conduct Commission found Shan guilty of engaging in the following misconduct. By Tonm Latek Kentucky Today. 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. The rules governing the JCC require confidentiality during the investigation process. 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. In one testy exchange, Jameson told commissioners he believed they were being used for political purposes. 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 18, 2015, District Court Judge Sam Potter Jr., 8th Judicial District, Div. In 2017, the KBA provided a generous grant that allowed the KAJC to hire full-time staff and the Supreme Court provided office space on the second floor of the Capitol. More recently, he earned an LL.M. 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. 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. Box 4266Frankfort, KY 40604-4266. SCR 4.020 Jurisdiction. 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. 426 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<9E4A0BA5A930054F8A0C782B6CA91317>]/Index[413 29]/Info 412 0 R/Length 78/Prev 352845/Root 414 0 R/Size 442/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream And she said Jameson pressured her to make a bar complaint against Amy Harwood-Jackson, a public defender who supports his opponent. 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. Morgan has filed a motion for Atkins to recuse himself in her appeal, which he denied. 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. READ MORE >> About Us The report said Atkins waived formal proceedings and agreed to the reprimand. Judicial misconduct comes in many forms and ethical standards address problematic actions, omissions and relationships that deplete public confidence. 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. It's the second time she has been found to violate rules in Kentucky's . 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: ", The commission goes on to say: "Although theinitial complaint for the instant action came from a sole defendant disgruntled by the anklemonitor process and administration, the ultimate evidence presented at the Final Hearingestablished that those allegations were the tip of the iceberg of the improper and wrongfulconduct of Judge Jameson involving the community corrections board he created,established, implemented, oversaw, and administered. IV Judicial Conduct Commission (Refs & Annos) Rules of the Supreme Court (SCR), Rule 4.020. 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. vB&!nBP\Ni,(E:*{FX4SyD!28M1p?gq{Yg&(1F1;. ForAppleorAndroidusers. FOOTNOTES. These functions are handled through the appeal process available through the appropriate appellate court. 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. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. It operates under the Kentucky Supreme Court and serves as an investigative body in matters of judicial conduct. Increase resources and funding for access to justice in civil legal matters. The state Supreme Court's decision came up in the JCC's findings of fact and final order regarding count VI. 1Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Jan. 6, 2017, District Court Judge Shan F. Embry, 46th Judicial District, Div. 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. endstream endobj startxref Acting as an alter ego for the 42nd Judicial Circuit Community Corrections Board in the implementation and operation of its ankle monitoring program. 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. Since its inception, the JCC's actions have resulted in removal from the bench, involuntarily retirement and public discipline. JCC proceedings provide a fair and objective means to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Jan. 17, 2019, District Judge Sandra L. McLaughlin, 30th Judicial District, Div. Kentucky will play its first game in the tourney at 9 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals. 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. $8@G t4$},}@IA( cJ)*88#ro~eYIYX}"V |p 3y 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. 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). Over the past decade, the KAJC has worked to increase access to the courts and legal representation for people of low and moderate income through innovative partnerships with 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. 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. And in 2019, Kentucky became one of 11 states to receive a Each member serves a four-year term. The complainant is notified of what action is taken unless the disposition is a private admonishment or private reprimand. 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. 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. to the Kentucky Bar Association for possible suspension or disbarment from the practice of law. Jameson contended the deputy posed a security risk, though he mentioned in his text message to McGuire that he believed the deputy was acting in the interest of his opponent. 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 . 3Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 29, 2014, Judicial Candidate Dana M. Cohen, 30th Judicial District, Div. 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. 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. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE), Amendment to Administrative Procedures of Circuit Court Clerks Conduct Commission, Refusal or failure to perform required duties, Refusal or failure to conform to Supreme Court of Kentucky policies and directives. The commission is the sole state entity authorized by the state constitution to take disciplinary action . Judicial Conduct Commission hearing in Hopkinsville. Governor Andy Beshear appointed Karem to the Commission on May 27, 2020 to a four-year term, which expires May 27, 2024. Christian Circuit Judge John Atkins was disciplined Thursday with a public reprimand from the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission. Box 682Somerset, KY 42502-0682606-677-4112, Graydon2400 Chamber Center Drive, Suite 300Fort Mitchell, KY 41017859-578-3070. Supreme Court Justice Michelle M. Keller as chair. Wakefield interrogated people in open court without regard to their privilege against self-incrimination, according to. Jameson is facing four charges of misconduct from the commission, including allegedly: The document released by the commission fully outlines each charge, citing laws, statutes and codes of conduct as they apply to Jameson charges. Fax: 859-901-1618, State Capitol700 Capital Ave., Room 231Frankfort, KY 40601Phone: 502-564-4162. 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.