Count VI: That Jameson had a pattern of noncompliance and interference with the JCC's orders. 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. 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. "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. In vacating the suspension, the high court did not weigh in on the validity of the misconduct allegations. You can then save and print the form and mail or email it to the JCC. Complaints cannot be anonymous. Ht0D4p40,:XP@I`HLI P. Wakefield interrogated people in open court without regard to their privilege against self-incrimination, according to. Promote principled and efficient use of available resources and encourage the coordination and sharing of resources or funding. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, May 12, 2014, Circuit Court Judge Frank A. Fletcher, 39th Judicial Circuit, Div. 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. priority for the Judicial Branch. 1Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, July 7, 2016 Proceedings - April 1-July 5, 2016, District Court Judge Sheila A. Collins, 30th Judicial District, Div. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 1, 2015, District Court Judge Cathy E. Prewitt, 34th Judicial Circuit, Div. The Judicial Conduct Commission issued an order removing Circuit Judge James T. Jameson from office. Any individual or group with knowledge of possible circuit court clerk misconduct or wrongdoing may file a written complaint. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct cannot exercise appellate review of a case or change the decision or ruling of any court. More recently, he earned an LL.M. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 2, 2016, Family Court Judge Lisa Osborne Bushelman, 16th Judicial Circuit, Family Div. Jameson was also accused of unbecoming conduct. The state Judicial Conduct Commission issued the public reprimand against. $8@G t4$},}@IA( cJ)*88#ro~eYIYX}"V |p 3y She has since filed an appeal. Print the completed form, sign the signature line on page 2 and mail the form to the commission. Many more have resulted in private discipline. 3Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, June 12, 2018, Circuit Judge Charles L. Cunningham Jr., 30th Judicial Circuit, Div. hbbd```b`` q m"l@0"W%H^ fo`]T#308|0 M endstream endobj 417 0 obj <>stream 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. 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 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. 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 . Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). Kentucky Rules of the Supreme Court (SCR) 4.300. 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. PoorBest. Increase public awareness of civil legal aid and the justice system and their positive impact on the state and local communities. 02 Mar 2023 17:49:48 2Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 4, 2020, Family Court Judge Dawn M. Gentry, 16th Judicial Circuit, Family Div. His violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct were extensive and frequent. All rights reserved. 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. 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. 23 Wildcats will honor six seniors, the most . to the Kentucky Bar Association for possible suspension or disbarment from the practice of law. 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. Judge Atkins reprimanded by Judicial Conduct Commission By New Era Staff Mar 2, 2023 Updated Mar 2, 2023 0 John Atkins Christian County Circuit Judge John L. Atkins was issued a public. The complaint form is available in PDF format and is fillable online. Create a framework for equitable access to justice by promoting policies, procedures, court rules and legislation that remove barriers to our judicial system. Also testifying was Marshall County Sheriff Eddie McGuire, who said Jameson asked him to have a courthouse deputy removed from the building after a security video of Jameson was disseminated. 6Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 12, 2016, Circuit Court Judge Vernon Miniard Jr., 57th Judicial Circuit, Div. And in 2019, Kentucky became one of 11 states to receive a 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Jan. 17, 2019, District Judge Sandra L. McLaughlin, 30th Judicial District, Div. Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. 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. When needed, the JCC conducts hearings regarding the alleged misconduct. 2Agreed Order of Suspension, Oct. 1, 2015Proceedings - April 27, 2015-June 1, 2016, District Court Judge Sam Potter Jr., 8th Judicial District, Div. The Judicial Conduct Commission is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. The Judicial Ethics Committee operates under 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. The Judicial Conduct Commission (Commission) determined that Julia Hawes Gordon, Family Court Judge for the 6th Judicial Circuit in Daviess County, Kentucky, committed judicial misconduct as charged in five of the six counts against her and ordered that she be removed from office. Partner with other service providers to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the statewide delivery system. 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. 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. The JCC carefully reviews complaints to determine if they are within its jurisdiction. 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. 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). These functions are handled through the appeal process available through the appropriate appellate court. He received his undergraduate degree with a major in history in 1980 from Vanderbilt University, and his J.D. As part of the agreement, Gaujot resigned as magistrate and agreed . 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. 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. Propriety and the 17Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, July 21, 2014, District Court Judge Rebecca S. Ward, 55th Judicial Circuit, Div. The order the commission issued Friday found Jameson guilty of all counts. The Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct defines misconduct through its canons and commentary. The Sorry, there are no recent results for popular articles. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the statewide justice systems and services and periodically report the findings to interested parties in Kentucky. Judge Gentry's order appointing the three attorneys, entered . 1Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 23, 2019, Circuit Judge Allan Ray Bertram, 11th Judicial Circuit, Div. ForAppleorAndroidusers. 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. 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. 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. When Kentucky (20-9, 11-5 Southeastern Conference) closes out the home portion of the schedule against Vanderbilt (16-13, 9-7) Wednesday night, the No. Jamesons more than 70-page response to the charges, as well as exhibits submitted as evidence in response to them including emails, texts, messages, documents and statements from staff, friends and his personal physician are also included in the commission document. "The Judicial Conduct Commission (JCC) is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. Download the WHAS11 News app now. 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 commission is responsible for disciplinary actions taken against judges. The center offers free legal information for people handling certain civil legal matters on their own. 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). Chief Justice Sir Anthony Smellie | 16 January 2023 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. Each member serves a four-year term. This story has been updated. As part of the misconduct, JudgeJameson exploited his judicial position to satisfy his personal desires. 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. He noted his work with the Community Corrections Board and their efforts to abate drug addiction in the district. Increase opportunities for the private bar to provide pro bono representation for low- and moderate-income Kentuckians. READ MORE >> About Us 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. Those accusations, as presented at the final hearing, include: The findings of fact and final order issued by the JCC on Friday shows the commission members voted 5-0 on each of the counts, finding that Jameson violated state statutes and the Code of Judicial Conduct. 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 Kentucky Access to Justice Commission was established in 2010 by 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. The Writ vacated and set aside the Commissions Order of Temporary Suspension and declared it void ab initio. His fellow justices elected him as chief justice of Kentucky for a four-year term that started in January 2023. 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. [1] 1Agreed Order of Suspension, July 10, 2015, District Court Judge Gregory T. Popovich, 17th Judicial District, Div. g:JZp{yxG5/mkV3?8zjwe)c,aBg*; The Judicial Conduct Commission,. The case this week is being heard by Muhlenberg County Circuit Judge Brian Wiggins. 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. Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct forms the basis of JEC opinions. 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. Complaints must be submitted in writing to the JCC. The Judicial Conduct Commission is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. 4Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, May 22, 2018, Circuit Judge Timothy L. Langford, 1st Judicial CircuitAgreed Order of Suspension, April 2, 2018Proceedings - Dec. 19, 2017-March 7, 2018, Family Court Judge W. Mitchell Nance, 43rd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. 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 Operating under Supreme Court of Kentucky rules, the JCC investigates complaints of judicial misconduct, wrongdoing or disability. "Unfortunately for Judge Jameson, altruistic intentions do not overcome or eliminatehis serious violations of the Canons of Judicial Conduct," the order continues. 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. If the JCC files formal charges against a judge, the JCC makes public the charges and any response from the judge. In August, the Kentucky Judicial Campaign Conduct Committee, an independent, nonpartisan group of citizens, lawyers, former judges and others, said Kentucky's judicial races, according to. The commission reviews complaints against judges, conducts hearings when warranted and imposes sanctions on judges found to have behaved improperly. 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. The violations are not a criminal charge. Kenton County District Judge Ann Ruttle among two disciplined by KY Judicial Conduct Commission. Judicial misconduct comes in many forms and ethical standards address problematic actions, omissions and relationships that deplete public confidence. Count VII: That Jameson engaged in acts of intimidation. In one testy exchange, Jameson told commissioners he believed they were being used for political purposes. You can fill out our complaint form online, print the form and mail it, or send us a letter describing the alleged misconduct. The Judicial Conduct Commission has filed an extensive "notice of formal proceedings" against Daviess Family Judge Julie Hawes Gordon, . FOOTNOTES. Fax: 859-901-1618, State Capitol700 Capital Ave., Room 231Frankfort, KY 40601Phone: 502-564-4162. 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. 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. Create a framework for equitable access to justice by promoting policies, procedures, court rules and legislation that remove barriers to our judicial system. You have permission to edit this article. The conduct occurred inside and outside the courtroom, and in his official capacity. 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. 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. The JEC has withdrawn some of its formal opinions due to changes in the rules, statutes and case law. The JCC also has authority over trial commissioners, domestic relations commissioners, master commissioners and attorneys who are candidates for judicial office. All rights reserved. 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. Karem was elected Vice Chair of the Commission July 14, 2020. 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 Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct forms the basis of JEC opinions. 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. Jameson is up for reelection, but the panel went further to say that he is unfit for office in . 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. Unless a resolution is reached between the Judicial and Jameson in the next 15 days, there will be a public hearing, the circuit court judge told WKMS late Thursday. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. 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. 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. Identify and remove barriers impeding access to the courts. The JCC does not have the authority to review a case for judicial error or to direct a different result in a case. 413 0 obj <> endobj In 2017, Chief Justice Minton named Sanctions for misconduct range from confidential reprimands to recommendation of removal from office. 3. By Tonm Latek Kentucky Today. 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. 5Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, April 13, 2017, Family Court Judge Kathy W. Stein, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. This list is not all-inclusive. Justice VanMeter is married to Fayette Circuit Judge, Lucy A. VanMeter. 502-573-2350 . Operle spent five years working for Paxton Media/The Paducah Sun as a reporter and editor. The Judicial Conduct Commission (Commission) determined that Julia Hawes Gordon, Family Court Judge for the 6th Judicial Circuit in Daviess County, Kentucky, committed judicial misconduct as charged in five of the six counts against her and ordered that she be removed from office. 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. 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. The list of opinions and the opinions themselves contain the pertinent information so that users can take notice of their status and proceed accordingly. The commission will take into consideration the vision, values, and goals of a multiyear assessment to enhance the practice, quality, and timeliness of the judicial response to cases involving these needs., The commission membership is composed of representatives from the judicial and legal communities; the juvenile, criminal and child protection systems; the legislature; the business community; organizations with a substantial interest in mental health matters; and other state and local leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to mental health issues affecting Kentuckians.. 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. Jameson has been involved in a lengthy legal battle with the commission after being accused of seven counts of misconduct. On August 11, 2022, by 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. 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 18, 2015, District Court Judge Sam Potter Jr., 8th Judicial District, Div. 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. The rules governing the commission require confidentiality during the investigation process. Supreme Court Order 2022-42, the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health (KJCMH) was established. (Ryan Hermens/The Paducah Sun via AP, File). 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601. Sanctions for misconduct range from confidential reprimands for minor technical violations to removal from office for major violations. Ruttle violated three rules in the Code of Judicial Conduct for. A public reprimand was issued against Christian County Circuit Judge John L. Atkins, after finding that he improperly contacted a police officer who [] On Tuesday, the first day of the 2023 . . Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE), Kentucky's Justice for All Strategic Action Plan, New Legal Help Center in Fayette County offers free legal information, forms and guided interviews, Access to Justice Commission awarded $326,195 in COSSAP funding. He admitted that his behavior in the videos may have reflected a quick trigger or been the result of particularly stressful days, but he largely defended his actions as necessary to preserve courtroom decorum and punish unacceptable behavior. Increase resources and funding for access to justice in civil legal matters. The JCC announced its decision Friday, about two weeks after it held a four-day hearing on the misconduct allegations against Jameson. 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. "During the sentencing hearing, Judge Atkins disclosed that he contacted the police officer and . Circuit Judge Atkins Reprimanded 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. Circuit court clerks perform duties prescribed by the Kentucky Constitution, statutes, rules and administrative procedures that are integral to Kentucky Court of Justice operations.
