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. Justice VanMeter is married to Fayette Circuit Judge, Lucy A. VanMeter. [1] Judicial misconduct is different. The Writ vacated and set aside the Commissions Order of Temporary Suspension and declared it void ab initio. PoorBest. If a complaint is not within the JCCs jurisdiction, it will be dismissed without further action. Actions can include admonition, reprimand, suspension or removal from office. 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. ", 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. These functions are handled through the appeal process available through the appropriate appellate court. Also, the JEC does not respond to inquiries from any person who is not a judge or judicial candidate. Partner with other service providers to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the statewide delivery system. 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. Emailassign@whas11.com, visit ourFacebook pageorTwitter feed. 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.". All rights reserved. The Judicial Conduct Commission of the Commonwealth of Kentucky (Commission) was created for the purpose of, and is vested with the jurisdiction to initiate, hear and decide charges of official misconduct by any judge of the Court of Justice or lawyer whil e a candidate for judicial office, and upon a finding of such official misconduct, to . 3Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, June 12, 2018, Circuit Judge Charles L. Cunningham Jr., 30th Judicial Circuit, Div. 2Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, Dec. 19, 2017Proceedings Sept. 11-Oct. 30, 2017, District Court Judge Jennifer H. Leibson, 30th Judicial District, Div. "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. 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. As a result, Count VI is now not considered by or factored into the discipline imposed by the Commission herein. For historical purposes, however, the opinions considered invalid and withdrawn are still contained on the website. 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. He is a member of Christ Church Cathedral. 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. 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. Currentness (1) Commission shall have authority: . Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Circuit Court Clerk Conduct Commission. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. As part of its strategic plan, the KAJC is currently working to: Capitol Building700 Capital Avenue,Suite 225Frankfort, KY 40601502-564-5493. The Circuit Court Clerk Conduct Commission investigates and reviews complaints against circuit court clerks. ", 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. [Judge Maze's] impartiality might reasonably be questioned. 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 . 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. It operates under the Kentucky Supreme Court and serves as an investigative body in matters of judicial conduct. All subsequent pleadings are also made public and any hearing related to the charges is public. Jameson also took the stand in his own defense. 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. 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. The JCC announced its decision Friday, about two weeks after it held a four-day hearing on the misconduct allegations against Jameson. Wakefield interrogated people in open court without regard to their privilege against self-incrimination, according to. Sanctions for misconduct range from confidential reprimands to recommendation of removal from office. 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. The hearing included testimony from attorney Lisa DeRenard that Jameson repeatedly asked her to support his reelection campaign against public defender Andrea Moore. 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: 6Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 12, 2016, Circuit Court Judge Vernon Miniard Jr., 57th Judicial Circuit, Div. The rules governing the JCC require confidentiality during the investigation process. From 1994 to 1999, he served as a judge of the Fayette District Court, 22nd District, Division 1. Count V: That Jameson repeatedly attempted to obstruct justice and impede the JCC's authority to investigate the charges against him. In addition to his work in the news industry, Operle is a passionate movie lover and concertgoer. 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. 6Agreed Order of Suspension, March 21, 2017Agreed Order of Temporary Suspension From Duties Pending Final Adjudication, March 15, 2017, Circuit Court Judge Ronnie C. Dortch, 38th Judicial Circuit, Div. 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601. Justice VanMeter has been actively involved in a number of community organizations, including Little League Baseball, Lexington Youth Soccer, Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America, Parents Place, the University of Kentucky Libraries National Advisory Board, and has served on the vestry of Christ Church Cathedral, on the Vanderbilt University Alumni Board of Directors, and on the Sayre School Board of Trustees. . This list is not all-inclusive. 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. 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. 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.". In January 2018 . The State Commission on Judicial Conduct cannot exercise appellate review of a case or change the decision or ruling of any court. 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. And she said Jameson pressured her to make a bar complaint against Amy Harwood-Jackson, a public defender who supports his opponent. And in 2019, Kentucky became one of 11 states to receive a It's the second time she has been found to violate rules in Kentucky's . The members include one member and one alternate from District Court, Circuit Court and the Kentucky Court of Appeals, each chosen by a majority vote of their respective courts; one member and one alternate appointed by the governing body of the Kentucky Bar Association; and two citizen members (neither judges nor attorneys) appointed by the governor. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular articles. All rights reserved. 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. 441 0 obj <>stream 1Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 23, 2019, Circuit Judge Allan Ray Bertram, 11th Judicial Circuit, Div. Circuit Judge Atkins Given Public Reprimand 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. His fellow justices elected him as chief justice of Kentucky for a four-year term that started in January 2023. 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. Identify and assess current and future needs of low- and moderate-income Kentuckians in matters related to access to civil justice. 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.. 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. 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. 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. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. Complaints must be submitted in writing to the JCC. 2Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 4, 2020, Family Court Judge Dawn M. Gentry, 16th Judicial Circuit, Family Div. Owensboro, KY 42301 Phone: 270-926-0123 Email: . Mismanaging his courtroom and engaging in acts of retaliation and deviating from acceptable standards of judicial conduct. 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. The The attorney in question served on Judge Gentry's GAL panel. The Judicial Conduct Commission,. 502-573-2350 . You can then save and print the form and mail or email it to the JCC. 2. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. If no misconduct is found, the complaint will be dismissed. 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. Each member serves a four-year term. 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. 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. Count IV: That Jameson used his influence and the prestige of his office to pressure people to donate to or support his political campaign. 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. More recently, he earned an LL.M. The complaint form is provided in a fillable PDF format for users to type their information into the form. The Judicial Conduct Commission issued an order removing Circuit Judge James T. Jameson from office. 3. The order the commission issued Friday found Jameson guilty of all counts. The state Supreme Court's decision came up in the JCC's findings of fact and final order regarding count VI. Kentucky Rules of the Supreme Court (SCR) 4.300. degree, May 2020, from Duke University School of Law and, in July 2020, was elected to The American Law Institute. Any individual or group with knowledge of possible judicial misconduct or wrongdoing may file a complaint. Circuit Court Clerk Conduct CommissionSupreme Court of KentuckyAttention: Chief of Staff and Counsel, State Capitol, Room 235700 Capitol Ave.Frankfort, KY 40601. 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. Since its inception, the JCC's actions have resulted in removal from the bench, involuntarily retirement and public discipline. Judge Gordon 23 Wildcats will honor six seniors, the most . 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. Box 126Dixon, KY 42409-0126270-639-5506, Pulaski County Court of Justice50 Public Square, P.O. In 2017, Chief Justice Minton named The Judicial Conduct Commission's review is not focused merely on the judge's findings, conclusions, and ultimate judgment, but on the judge's demeanor, motivation, or conduct in following (or in not following) the law. The center offers free legal information for people handling certain civil legal matters on their own. The Judicial Conduct Commission voted unanimously to permanently remove Daviess Family Judge Julie Hawes Gordon, writing that she abused her position "over an extended period of time and over . ForAppleorAndroidusers. 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. Justice for All planning grant from the National Center for State Courts. 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, Aug. 8, 2016Proceedings - Feb. 18-Aug. 11, 2016, District Court Judge Gregory T. Popovich, 17th Judicial District, Div. P')WrDVHRgY "jFFXdGKwNXRQ&3MZ"oJ38:3::"94 His violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct were extensive and frequent. Promote principled and efficient use of available resources and encourage the coordination and sharing of resources or funding. Count VI: That Jameson had a pattern of noncompliance and interference with the JCC's orders. 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. %%EOF You have permission to edit this article. 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 Upon taking office on January 2, 2017, he became just the third Justice to have served at all four levels of Kentucky unified court system. As part of the misconduct, JudgeJameson exploited his judicial position to satisfy his personal desires. 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 27, 2016, Family Court Judge Kathy W. Stein, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. 1Public Reprimand, Sept. 9, 2020, District Judge Donna G. Dutton, 53rd Judicial District, Div. Increase public awareness of civil legal aid and the justice system and their positive impact on the state and local communities. A reprimand is one of several disciplinary actions that can be taken by the judicial commission. The JCC also has authority over trial commissioners, domestic relations commissioners, master commissioners and attorneys who are candidates for judicial office. The report said Atkins waived formal proceedings and agreed to the reprimand. 2Agreed Order of Suspension, Oct. 1, 2015Proceedings - April 27, 2015-June 1, 2016, District Court Judge Sam Potter Jr., 8th Judicial District, Div. The JCC also has authority over trial commissioners, domestic relations commissioners, master commissioners and attorneys who are candidates for judicial office. Operating under Supreme Court of Kentucky rules, the JCC investigates complaints of judicial misconduct, wrongdoing or disability. "During the sentencing hearing, Judge Atkins disclosed that he contacted the police officer and . 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. 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. 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 . 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. Other opinions that are currently valid should be followed with caution in light of recent federal court rulings that are on appeal. His late wife, Lucy Bryans VanMeter, and he are the parents of four children. Count II: That Jameson acted as the alter ego for the CCB in the implementation and operation of its ankle monitoring program. 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 Communications/Training Coordinator Nan Hanley has more than 20 years of experience with the Kentucky Access to Justice Foundation, a statewide resource center for civil legal aid programs. 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601. Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. 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. This is what a judge ought to be doing,'" Jameson said. 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. During its early years, the KAJC was chaired by Franklin Circuit Judge Roger L. Crittenden (ret.) 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 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 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 . Count VII: That Jameson engaged in acts of intimidation. DeRenard felt pressured to donate to his campaign, which she did multiple times, she said. The list of opinions and the opinions themselves contain the pertinent information so that users can take notice of their status and proceed accordingly. 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. They have a prominent role as the face of the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the statewide judicial system. Create a framework for equitable access to justice by promoting policies, procedures, court rules and legislation that remove barriers to our judicial 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. 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. Kentuckys civil legal aid programs, the judiciary, the Kentucky Bar Association, the private bar, law schools, and business and community organizations. She also testified that Jameson put her on the spot at a fundraising event, asking her to speak in support of his campaign. NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct File a Complaint All complaints must be signed and in writing. 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. The circuit court clerk will also receive a written statement that no retaliation will be taken against the person who filed the complaint. If an individual is found to have engaged in misconduct or be incapacitated, the JCC takes appropriate disciplinary action. Box 4266Frankfort, KY 40604-4266. The JEC elects a chair of the committee. The JCC does not have the authority to review a case for judicial error or to direct a different result in a case. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 1, 2015, District Court Judge Cathy E. Prewitt, 34th Judicial Circuit, Div. Circuit court clerks perform duties prescribed by the Kentucky Constitution, statutes, rules and administrative procedures that are integral to Kentucky Court of Justice operations. 3Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 29, 2014, Judicial Candidate Dana M. Cohen, 30th Judicial District, Div. 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 18, 2015, District Court Judge Sam Potter Jr., 8th Judicial District, Div. (2) . The other case was a third-degree assault case involving Tarvous Haskins. Any individual or group with knowledge of possible circuit court clerk misconduct or wrongdoing may file a written complaint. The case this week is being heard by Muhlenberg County Circuit Judge Brian Wiggins. 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. Communications between the requestor and the JEC members are confidential. The commission suspended Kenton County District Court Judge Ann Ruttle without pay for seven days from April 15 to April 22. 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.
