judicial conduct commission ky

441 0 obj <>stream In vacating the suspension, the high court did not weigh in on the validity of the misconduct allegations. 6Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 12, 2016, Circuit Court Judge Vernon Miniard Jr., 57th Judicial Circuit, Div. If the complaint is not resolved at this stage, the JCC may file formal charges against the judge and hold a fact-finding hearing. Any individual or group with knowledge of possible circuit court clerk misconduct or wrongdoing may file a written complaint. Other opinions that are currently valid should be followed with caution in light of recent federal court rulings that are on appeal. Home Chambers5 Cleveland Ave., Suite 500Winchester, KY 40391Phone: 859-901-1616 You can fill out our complaint form online, print the form and mail it, or send us a letter describing the alleged misconduct. As part of the agreement, Gaujot resigned as magistrate and agreed . Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the statewide justice systems and services and periodically report the findings to interested parties in Kentucky. 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. Justice VanMeter is married to Fayette Circuit Judge, Lucy A. VanMeter. 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 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. The state Judicial Conduct Commission issued the public reprimand against. It is the Commissionsconclusion that there are other, deep-seated issues to be addressed with Judge Jameson butthese are well beyond the jurisdiction of the Commission.". . 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 2, 2016, Family Court Judge Lisa Osborne Bushelman, 16th Judicial Circuit, Family Div. FOOTNOTES. Increase public awareness of civil legal aid and the justice system and their positive impact on the state and local communities. 2. If the JCC finds improper conduct by the judge or a disability that seriously interferes with the judges ability to perform judicial duties, the JCC may take any of the following actions: JCC orders are effective 10 days after service on a judge unless the judge appeals to the Supreme Court of Kentucky within that time. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct cannot exercise appellate review of a case or change the decision or ruling of any court. 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. Following the vote, Jameson called it "part of modern-day politics, and said he would stay the course.. And using the influence and prestige of his office to pressure attorneys, individuals, and groups to fund and support your political campaign, going as far as saying that certain monetary contributions were not sufficient.. Combs & Combs203 Main St., P.O. The state Judicial Conduct Commission Friday ordered a western Kentucky judge facing multiple misconduct charges be removed from office and barred serving the next term in office.. 42nd Judicial . 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. They have a prominent role as the face of the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the statewide judicial system. Fax: 859-901-1618, State Capitol700 Capital Ave., Room 231Frankfort, KY 40601Phone: 502-564-4162. 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. The JCCs attorney presents the case at the hearing and the judge has the right to defend against the charges and to be represented by an attorney. Communications between the requestor and the JEC members are confidential. Count VI: That Jameson had a pattern of noncompliance and interference with the JCC's orders. 2Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 4, 2020, Family Court Judge Dawn M. Gentry, 16th Judicial Circuit, Family Div. Operating under Supreme Court of Kentucky rules, the JCC investigates complaints of judicial misconduct, wrongdoing or disability. Affirming the decision of the Judicial Conduct Commission, the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld the removal of a judge for (1) coercing members of her guardian ad litem panel to donate the maximum amount to her campaign and to use personal time to campaign on her behalf; using court staff to work on her campaign during work hours; and taking steps 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. A Kentucky judge who sent one man to jail without a hearing and "strongly castigated" another has been reprimanded. Judge Jamie Jameson took the stand Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, during aJudicial Conduct Commission hearing in Hopkinsville. 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. 3. 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. The KJCMH is charged with exploring, recommending, and implementing transformational changes to improve system wide responses to justice-involved individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, July 10, 2015, District Court Judge Gregory T. Popovich, 17th Judicial District, Div. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). 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. Judicial misconduct is different. 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. 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. The Since its inception, the JCC's actions have resulted in removal from the bench, involuntarily retirement and public discipline. An Owensboro, Ky., judge accused of misusing her position to influence criminal cases that involved her adult son has been ordered removed from the bench. ", 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. The complainant is notified of what action is taken unless the disposition is a private admonishment or private reprimand. 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. Identify and assess current and future needs of low- and moderate-income Kentuckians in matters related to access to civil justice. Count IV: That Jameson used his influence and the prestige of his office to pressure people to donate to or support his political campaign. In one testy exchange, Jameson told commissioners he believed they were being used for political purposes. 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. Increase resources and funding for access to justice in civil legal matters. In 2022, the KAJC worked with several partners to launch the Fayette County Legal Help Center in Lexington. HW[S~W}qJ,{R`*ba_I}Org57U~yu]}.[-2j#z( degree, May 2020, from Duke University School of Law and, in July 2020, was elected to The American Law Institute. All rights reserved. Judge Gentry's order appointing the three attorneys, entered . The commission is the sole state entity authorized by the state constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. 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. 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. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. 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. 4 In September 2017, Kentucky's Code of Judicial Conduct, SCR 4.300, was based on the 1990 Model Code of Judicial Conduct. R|lW"f98g0:N{\:s[iUkV0Oe*j4}4OS*ENL4#T'fvL6tx Based on the foregoing, the Judicial Conduct Commission's Final Order is affirmed. The panel viewed a number of videos showing Jamesons courtroom demeanor and use of his contempt power. 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: 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. 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. Both formal and informal opinions shall be advisory only. All rights reserved. It operates under the Kentucky Supreme Court and serves as an investigative body in matters of judicial conduct. ", 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 following types of circuit court clerk misconduct may lead to disciplinary actions. 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. 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. Long before receiving all of the claims and factual information submitted against him from the Commission, Judge Jameson was informed by persons involved in the local justice system in Marshall County that a group of six or fewer attorneys and at least one member of court personnel were working to submit a diatribe of tainted factual information to the Commission in an attempt to damage Judge Jamesons reputation during an election year to the benefit of his opponent, the response said. 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 Crit Luallen, Member . Jameson has been involved in a lengthy legal battle with the commission after being accused of seven counts of misconduct. Count V: That Jameson repeatedly attempted to obstruct justice and impede the JCC's authority to investigate the charges against him. A native of western Kentucky, Operle earned his bachelor's degree in integrated strategic communications from the University of Kentucky in 2014. . 13 In Nicholson v. 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. The Judicial Conduct Commission is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. 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. NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct File a Complaint All complaints must be signed and in writing. 2Agreed Order of Permanent Retirement, Dec. 18, 2019, Circuit Judge Beth L. Maze, 21st Judicial Circuit, Div. 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 Ruttle violated three rules in the Code of Judicial Conduct for. Complaints must be submitted in writing to the JCC. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, May 12, 2014, Circuit Court Judge Frank A. Fletcher, 39th Judicial Circuit, Div. SCR 4.020 Jurisdiction. 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. These functions are handled through the appeal process available through the appropriate appellate court. Mismanaging his courtroom and engaging in acts of retaliation and deviating from acceptable standards of judicial conduct. Jameson also took the stand in his own defense. 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 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. Section 106(10)(a) of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009 ("the Constitution") requires the Judicial and Legal Services Commission to draw up a code of conduct for the judiciary. 1Amended Agreed Order of Suspension, Dec. 7, 2015, Circuit Court Judge Steven D. Combs, 35th Judicial Circuit, Div. 0 Jameson was also accused of unbecoming conduct. Jameson was placed under a temporary, paid suspension by the JCC back in August pending the results of the proceedings. Click here to see the Code. The charges included . 2Agreed Order of Suspension, Oct. 1, 2015Proceedings - April 27, 2015-June 1, 2016, District Court Judge Sam Potter Jr., 8th Judicial District, Div. You can find it now at 99.5 FM. Box 4266Frankfort, KY 40604-4266. 5Agreed Order of Disability Retirement, Aug. 23, 2016Order of Temporary Retirement, May 2, 2016, Circuit Court Judge Olu A. Stevens, 30th Judicial Circuit, Div. 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). 3Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 29, 2014, Judicial Candidate Dana M. Cohen, 30th Judicial District, Div. The commissions disciplinary actions are subject to judicial review by the Supreme Court of Kentucky on appeal. Identify and remove barriers impeding access to the courts. . Christian Circuit Judge John Atkins was disciplined Thursday with a public reprimand from the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission. READ MORE >> About Us 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 . More recently, he earned an LL.M. The commission has received complaints from litigants, attorneys, judges, jurors, citizens, court personnel and prisoners. Circuit court clerks perform duties prescribed by the Kentucky Constitution, statutes, rules and administrative procedures that are integral to Kentucky Court of Justice operations. Owensboro, KY 42301 Phone: 270-926-0123 Email: . 1. Governor Andy Beshear appointed Karem to the Commission on May 27, 2020 to a four-year term, which expires May 27, 2024. The Circuit Court Clerk Conduct Commission investigates and reviews complaints against circuit court clerks. 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. q 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. The JEC elects a chair of the committee. Complaints cannot be anonymous. (Ryan Hermens/The Paducah Sun via AP, File). [Judge Maze's] impartiality might reasonably be questioned. The JEC has withdrawn some of its formal opinions due to changes in the rules, statutes and case law. The Judicial Conduct Commission found Shan guilty of engaging in the following misconduct. During its early years, the KAJC was chaired by Franklin Circuit Judge Roger L. Crittenden (ret.) 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. 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. The JCCs mission is to protect the public, to encourage judges, commissioners and candidates for judicial office to maintain high standards of conduct, and to promote public confidence in the integrity, independence, competence, and impartiality of the judiciary. Karem was elected Vice Chair of the Commission July 14, 2020. As part of the misconduct, JudgeJameson exploited his judicial position to satisfy his personal desires. 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. The state of Kentucky presented Robert B. Conley with a law license in 1981 after he graduated from Northern Kentucky University School of Law. 03/3 . 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. The Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct defines misconduct through its canons and commentary. Have a news tip? 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. Judge James T. Jameson had been in office since 2016, as a judge of the 42 nd Circuit, which includes Marshall and Calloway counties . Russell D. Alred was a Kentucky Circuit Courts judge for the Twenty-Sixth Circuit, serving Harlan County of Kentucky. The person who filed the complaint may be subpoenaed as a witness if he or she has personal knowledge of wrongdoing. 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 27, 2016, Family Court Judge Kathy W. Stein, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. Noteworthy events Misconduct charges filed (2011) The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission publicly announced in late March 2011 that it was investigating 20 counts of judicial misconduct against . 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. 3Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, June 12, 2018, Circuit Judge Charles L. Cunningham Jr., 30th Judicial Circuit, Div. 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. If the JCC files formal charges against a judge, the JCC makes public the charges and any response from the judge. The case this week is being heard by Muhlenberg County Circuit Judge Brian Wiggins. Count VII: That Jameson engaged in acts of intimidation. 5Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, Aug. 31, 2020Proceedings - Nov. 18, 2019-Aug. 12, 2020, District Judge Robert F. Wright, 35th Judicial District, Div. $8@G t4$},}@IA( cJ)*88#ro~eYIYX}"V |p 3y 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 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.". PoorBest. Any individual or group with knowledge of possible circuit court clerk misconduct or wrongdoing may file a written complaint. The center offers free legal information for people handling certain civil legal matters on their own. Deliberations in reaching any decision regarding the charges are not public. 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 evidence to sustain the charges before the Commission must be "clear and convincing." 6Agreed Order of Suspension, Aug. 8, 2016Proceedings - Feb. 18-Aug. 11, 2016, District Court Judge Gregory T. Popovich, 17th Judicial District, Div. A reprimand is one of several disciplinary actions that can be taken by the judicial commission. 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601. Former Lieutenant Governor Crit Luallen is known as one of Kentucky's most experienced and respected public leaders, after serving with .