Justice VanMeter was born in 1958 in Lexington, and was raised in Winchester. If no misconduct is found, the complaint will be dismissed. They have a prominent role as the face of the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the statewide judicial system. Complaints cannot be anonymous. Supreme Court order to make access to justice a If an individual is found to have engaged in misconduct or be incapacitated, the JCC takes appropriate disciplinary action. 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. Karem was elected Vice Chair of the Commission July 14, 2020. . The Judicial Conduct Commission has filed an extensive "notice of formal proceedings" against Daviess Family Judge Julie Hawes Gordon, . 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 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. As a result, Count VI is now not considered by or factored into the discipline imposed by the Commission herein. 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. This list is not all-inclusive. The hearing included testimony from attorney Lisa DeRenard that Jameson repeatedly asked her to support his reelection campaign against public defender Andrea Moore. If the complaint is not resolved at this stage, the JCC may file formal charges against the judge and hold a fact-finding hearing. 1Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, July 7, 2016 Proceedings - April 1-July 5, 2016, District Court Judge Sheila A. Collins, 30th Judicial District, Div. Count II: That Jameson acted as the alter ego for the CCB in the implementation and operation of its ankle monitoring program. endstream endobj 414 0 obj <> endobj 415 0 obj <> endobj 416 0 obj <>stream The rules governing the commission require confidentiality during the investigation process. 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.". 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. 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. Emailassign@whas11.com, visit ourFacebook pageorTwitter feed. The Judicial Conduct Commission is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. Ht0D4p40,:XP@I`HLI P. His late wife, Lucy Bryans VanMeter, and he are the parents of four children. The Judicial Ethics Committee operates under Judge Donna Dutton of Shelbyville, KY; ethical goblin. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 1, 2015, District Court Judge Cathy E. Prewitt, 34th Judicial Circuit, Div. The rules governing the JCC require confidentiality during the investigation process. Morgan, a former First United Methodist Church daycare worker, was convicted of a misdemeanor charge of third-degree criminal abuse last year and was sentenced to one year in jail. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE), Formal Proceedings, June 13, 2022-Oct. 10, 2022, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, Nov. 4, 2022, Proceedings, including Agreed Order of Suspension, Oct. 21, 2021-May 2, 2022, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, April 22, 2022, Agreed Order of Suspension, April 7, 2021, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, July 13, 2021, Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 4, 2020, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, Aug. 31, 2020, Proceedings - Nov. 18, 2019-Aug. 12, 2020, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 23, 2019, Agreed Order of Permanent Retirement, Dec. 18, 2019, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, Nov. 7, 2019, Agreed Order of Suspension, Jan. 17, 2019, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, June 12, 2018, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, May 22, 2018, Agreed Order of Suspension, April 2, 2018, Proceedings - Dec. 19, 2017-March 7, 2018, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, Dec. 19, 2017, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, April 13, 2017, Agreed Order of Suspension, March 21, 2017, Agreed Order of Temporary Suspension From Duties Pending Final Adjudication, March 15, 2017, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Feb. 24, 2017, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Jan. 6, 2017, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 27, 2016, Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 12, 2016, Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 2, 2016, Agreed Order of Disability Retirement, Aug. 23, 2016, Order of Temporary Retirement, May 2, 2016, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, July 7, 2016, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, April 21, 2016, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 18, 2015, Amended Agreed Order of Suspension, Dec. 7, 2015, Proceedings - April 27, 2015-June 1, 2016, Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 1, 2015, Agreed Order of Suspension, July 10, 2015, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order, June 17, 2015, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 29, 2014, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, July 21, 2014, Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Oct. 7, 2013, Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law and Final Order & Public Reprimand, Aug. 12, 2013, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order & Public Reprimand, Sept. 28, 2012-June 17, 2013, Privately admonish or privately reprimand the judge, Remove the judge from office or, in the case of disability, order the judge to retire from the bench. All rights reserved. Kenton County District Judge Ann Ruttle will be suspended without pay for two weeks in May after Kentucky's Judicial Conduct Commission determined she broke several conduct rules in September 2021 . 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. 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. He is a member of Christ Church Cathedral. Supreme Court Order 2022-42, the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health (KJCMH) was established. Some opinions that are still valid reference canon numbers from the old 1978 Code of Judicial Conduct and the new canons are noted. The center offers free legal information for people handling certain civil legal matters on their own. 3Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, June 12, 2018, Circuit Judge Charles L. Cunningham Jr., 30th Judicial Circuit, Div. 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. 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. It went on to say that security cameras should be required in daycare centers. 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). Increase opportunities for the private bar to provide pro bono representation for low- and moderate-income Kentuckians. The charges included . 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. Judge Gordon The Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct defines misconduct through its canons and commentary. 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. Kentucky will play its first game in the tourney at 9 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals. 1Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Jan. 6, 2017, District Court Judge Shan F. Embry, 46th Judicial District, Div. Expand the delivery and support of Kentucky's civil legal aid programs. Judge James T. Jameson had been in office since 2016, as a judge of the 42 nd Circuit, which includes Marshall and Calloway counties . Kentuckys civil legal aid programs, the judiciary, the Kentucky Bar Association, the private bar, law schools, and business and community organizations. 502-573-2350 . Supreme Court Justice Michelle M. Keller as chair. Chief Justice Sir Anthony Smellie | 16 January 2023 1Agreed Order of Suspension, July 10, 2015, District Court Judge Gregory T. Popovich, 17th Judicial District, Div. 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. READ MORE >> About Us 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. 2Agreed Order of Suspension, Oct. 1, 2015Proceedings - April 27, 2015-June 1, 2016, District Court Judge Sam Potter Jr., 8th Judicial District, Div. Count V: That Jameson repeatedly attempted to obstruct justice and impede the JCC's authority to investigate the charges against him. Combs & Combs203 Main St., P.O. All rights reserved. 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. The Writ vacated and set aside the Commissions Order of Temporary Suspension and declared it void ab initio. Increase public awareness of civil legal aid and the justice system and their positive impact on the state and local communities. 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. All rights reserved. ", 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 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 State Commission on Judicial Conduct cannot exercise appellate review of a case or change the decision or ruling of any court. Increase resources and funding for access to justice in civil legal matters. 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. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). . 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. 2. 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. 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. The Judicial Conduct Commission, which investigates allegations of ethical wrongdoing by judges, first issued nine charges of ethics violations against her last November.. You can then save and print the form and mail or email it to the JCC. She has since filed an appeal. 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 27, 2016, Family Court Judge Kathy W. Stein, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. The commission suspended Kenton County District Court Judge Ann Ruttle without pay for seven days from April 15 to April 22. 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. specialist judicial experience of at least five years in the civil/commercial division of a superior court of record is highly desirable; and experience of the trial of criminal and complex financial cases will be an asset. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Jan. 17, 2019, District Judge Sandra L. McLaughlin, 30th Judicial District, Div. Circuit Court Clerk Conduct CommissionSupreme Court of KentuckyAttention: Chief of Staff and Counsel, State Capitol, Room 235700 Capitol Ave.Frankfort, KY 40601. 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 . Jameson is up for reelection, but the panel went further to say that he is unfit for office in . 3. Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. 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. 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. Identify and remove barriers impeding access to the courts. 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. 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 noted his work with the Community Corrections Board and their efforts to abate drug addiction in the district. 4 In September 2017, Kentucky's Code of Judicial Conduct, SCR 4.300, was based on the 1990 Model Code of Judicial Conduct. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, May 12, 2014, Circuit Court Judge Frank A. Fletcher, 39th Judicial Circuit, Div. 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. "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 evidence to sustain the charges before the Commission must be "clear and convincing." Following the vote, Jameson called it "part of modern-day politics, and said he would stay the course.. 441 0 obj <>stream 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 order handed down Friday afternoon. Promote principled and efficient use of available resources and encourage the coordination and sharing of resources or funding. U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell on Monday denied Fischer's request that she block the state Judicial Conduct Commission from further action against his campaign over complaints it had. 2Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 4, 2020, Family Court Judge Dawn M. Gentry, 16th Judicial Circuit, Family Div. This is what a judge ought to be doing,'" Jameson said. Each member serves a four-year term. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). The violations are not a criminal charge. %%EOF Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. endstream endobj startxref 502-573-2350 . JCC proceedings provide a fair and objective means to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. Circuit court clerks perform duties prescribed by the Kentucky Constitution, statutes, rules and administrative procedures that are integral to Kentucky Court of Justice operations. 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. 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. All subsequent pleadings are also made public and any hearing related to the charges is public. Judge Gentry's order appointing the three attorneys, entered . 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. You have permission to edit this article. Download the WHAS11 News app now. 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. 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. 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. 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. Create a framework for equitable access to justice by promoting policies, procedures, court rules and legislation that remove barriers to our judicial system. 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 JEC does not respond to any judge or judicial candidate about the ethical behavior of anyone other than him/herself. "Unfortunately for Judge Jameson, altruistic intentions do not overcome or eliminatehis serious violations of the Canons of Judicial Conduct," the order continues. DeRenard felt pressured to donate to his campaign, which she did multiple times, she said. The order the commission issued Friday found Jameson guilty of all counts. 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 commission is composed of seven members who serve three-year terms. 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. When needed, the JCC conducts hearings regarding the alleged misconduct. 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. 413 0 obj <> endobj The commission is the sole state entity authorized by the state constitution to take disciplinary action .