She also testified that Jameson put her on the spot at a fundraising event, asking her to speak in support of his campaign. Commission proceedings provide a fair and objective means to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. Looking for Murray's WKMS Classical Signal? 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. endstream endobj 414 0 obj <> endobj 415 0 obj <> endobj 416 0 obj <>stream 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.. 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.. 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. From 1994 to 1999, he served as a judge of the Fayette District Court, 22nd District, Division 1. 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: Final disposition of some complaints takes several months or longer. If a complaint is not within the JCCs jurisdiction, it will be dismissed without further action. Any individual or group with knowledge of possible circuit court clerk misconduct or wrongdoing may file a written complaint. g:JZp{yxG5/mkV3?8zjwe)c,aBg*; All rights reserved. ALRED v. COMMONWEALTH JUDICIAL CONDUCT COMMISSION | FindLaw 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 27, 2016, Family Court Judge Kathy W. Stein, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. . Failed to act in manner promoting public . Panel reprimands KY judge for behavior in court - Lexington Herald Leader 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.". vB&!nBP\Ni,(E:*{FX4SyD!28M1p?gq{Yg&(1F1;. 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 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 Judicial Conduct Commission is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. Judge Gordon 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601. "The Judicial Conduct Commission (JCC) is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. Some opinions that are still valid reference canon numbers from the old 1978 Code of Judicial Conduct and the new canons are noted. The JEC has withdrawn some of its formal opinions due to changes in the rules, statutes and case law. 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. The Judicial Conduct Commission issued an order removing Circuit Judge James T. Jameson from office. As part of the agreement, Gaujot resigned as magistrate and agreed . ", 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. 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. Wakefield interrogated people in open court without regard to their privilege against self-incrimination, according to. he was the victim of the alleged assault by the defendant," the judicial conduct panel wrote in its report. The JCC is composed of six voting members who serve four-year terms. Sitting circuit judge in W. Kentucky ordered removed from office by Supreme Court order to make access to justice a $8@G t4$},}@IA( cJ)*88#ro~eYIYX}"V |p 3y ForAppleorAndroidusers. HW[S~W}qJ,{R`*ba_I}Org57U~yu]}.[-2j#z( GORDON v. JUDICIAL CONDUCT COMMISSION (2022) | FindLaw Crit Luallen, Member . The conduct occurred inside and outside the courtroom, and in his official capacity. Create a framework for equitable access to justice by promoting policies, procedures, court rules and legislation that remove barriers to our judicial system. 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. Western Ky. judge facing charges from state judicial conduct commission 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. 5Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, April 13, 2017, Family Court Judge Kathy W. Stein, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. All rights reserved. The Judicial Conduct Commission is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. You can fill out our complaint form online, print the form and mail it, or send us a letter describing the alleged misconduct. His fellow justices elected him as chief justice of Kentucky for a four-year term that started in January 2023. Operle spent five years working for Paxton Media/The Paducah Sun as a reporter and editor. 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. The JCC also has authority over trial commissioners, domestic relations commissioners, master commissioners and attorneys who are candidates for judicial office. 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. 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. Acting as an alter ego for the 42nd Judicial Circuit Community Corrections Board in the implementation and operation of its ankle monitoring program. P')WrDVHRgY "jFFXdGKwNXRQ&3MZ"oJ38:3::"94 Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission suspends judge accused of Expand the delivery and support of Kentucky's civil legal aid programs. Judge Atkins reprimanded by Judicial Conduct Commission The violations are not a criminal charge. Click here to see the Code. 413 0 obj <> endobj endstream endobj startxref All rights reserved. A native of western Kentucky, Operle earned his bachelor's degree in integrated strategic communications from the University of Kentucky in 2014. Kenton County District Court Judge Ann Ruttle will be suspended for two weeks without pay in May after the Judicial Conduct Commission found she denied appointment of council to a defendant in 2021 who couldn't afford one in a criminal case, according to court records. Any individual or group with knowledge of possible judicial misconduct or wrongdoing may file a complaint. 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. The JCC carefully reviews complaints to determine if they are within its jurisdiction. 17Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, July 21, 2014, District Court Judge Rebecca S. Ward, 55th Judicial Circuit, Div. 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. Legislation banning gender transition services anyone under 18 passes Judicial Misconduct and Public Confidence in the Rule of Law Judge James T. Jameson had been in office since 2016, as a judge of the 42 nd Circuit, which includes Marshall and Calloway counties . The Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct defines misconduct through its canons and commentary. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). Actions can include admonition, reprimand, suspension or removal from office. GENTRY v. JUDICIAL CONDUCT COMMISSION (2020) | FindLaw His late wife, Lucy Bryans VanMeter, and he are the parents of four children. 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. PoorBest. The JEC does not respond to any judge or judicial candidate about the ethical behavior of anyone other than him/herself. Identify and assess current and future needs of low- and moderate-income Kentuckians in matters related to access to civil justice. The Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct forms the basis of JEC opinions. Count VI: That Jameson had a pattern of noncompliance and interference with the JCC's orders. Judicial agency investigating Gordon | News | messenger-inquirer.com Propriety and the Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Identify and remove barriers impeding access to the courts. 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 PDF Cayman Islands Government Judiciary Job Description The Judicial Conduct Commission has filed an extensive "notice of formal proceedings" against Daviess Family Judge Julie Hawes Gordon, . 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. Bullitt County master commissioner publicly reprimanded | Lexington 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 Conduct Commission hearing in Hopkinsville. More recently, he earned an LL.M. FAQ - Texas 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.