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 other case was a third-degree assault case involving Tarvous Haskins. 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. 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. He received his undergraduate degree with a major in history in 1980 from Vanderbilt University, and his J.D. 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. 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. The rules governing the commission require confidentiality during the investigation process. 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. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). 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. In January 2018 . 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Jan. 17, 2019, District Judge Sandra L. McLaughlin, 30th Judicial District, Div. 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. 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601. 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. 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 commission suspended Kenton County District Court Judge Ann Ruttle without pay for seven days from April 15 to April 22. endstream endobj 414 0 obj <> endobj 415 0 obj <> endobj 416 0 obj <>stream Actions can include admonition, reprimand, suspension or removal from office. The Judicial Conduct Commission, which investigates allegations of ethical wrongdoing by judges, first issued nine charges of ethics violations against her last November.. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, Sept. 2, 2016, Family Court Judge Lisa Osborne Bushelman, 16th Judicial Circuit, Family Div. The commission reviews complaints against judges, conducts hearings when warranted and imposes sanctions on judges found to have behaved improperly. The Judicial Conduct Commission is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. Judicial Conduct Commission hearing in Hopkinsville. 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. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. 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.". Print the completed form, sign the signature line on page 2 and mail the form to the commission. He is a member of Christ Church Cathedral. Commission proceedings provide a fair and objective means to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. The Judicial Conduct Commission found Shan guilty of engaging in the following misconduct. ", 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. 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. 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 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. 2Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Dec. 27, 2016, Family Court Judge Kathy W. Stein, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Family Div. 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 person who filed the complaint may be subpoenaed as a witness if he or she has personal knowledge of wrongdoing. HW[S~W}qJ,{R`*ba_I}Org57U~yu]}.[-2j#z( 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. 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. ForAppleorAndroidusers. ", 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.". His fellow justices elected him as chief justice of Kentucky for a four-year term that started in January 2023. 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. 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. 502-573-2350 . She has since filed an appeal. All rights reserved. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, May 12, 2014, Circuit Court Judge Frank A. Fletcher, 39th Judicial Circuit, Div. Jameson also took the stand in his own defense. 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. 1Amended Agreed Order of Suspension, Dec. 7, 2015, Circuit Court Judge Steven D. Combs, 35th Judicial Circuit, Div. Ruttle violated three rules in the Code of Judicial Conduct for. Since its inception, the JCC's actions have resulted in removal from the bench, involuntarily retirement and public discipline. 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. Increase opportunities for the private bar to provide pro bono representation for low- and moderate-income Kentuckians. 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 JCC carefully reviews complaints to determine if they are within its jurisdiction. 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 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. The hearing included testimony from attorney Lisa DeRenard that Jameson repeatedly asked her to support his reelection campaign against public defender Andrea Moore. 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 Sorry, there are no recent results for popular articles. A public reprimand was issued against Christian County Circuit Judge John L. Atkins, after finding that he improperly contacted a police officer who [] Common complaints of ethical misconduct include improper demeanour; failure to properly disqualify when the judge has a conflict of interest; engaging in ex parte communication and failure to . 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. Any individual or group with knowledge of possible circuit court clerk misconduct or wrongdoing may file a written complaint. The Canon and Rules are set out in the Code of Judicial Conduct. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. . degree, May 2020, from Duke University School of Law and, in July 2020, was elected to The American Law Institute. The conduct occurred inside and outside the courtroom, and in his official capacity. The Circuit Court Clerk Conduct Commission investigates and reviews complaints against circuit court clerks. The complaint form is provided in a fillable PDF format for users to type their information into the form. Final disposition of some complaints takes several months or longer. 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. His violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct were extensive and frequent. The JCC is composed of six voting members who serve four-year terms. Any individual or group with knowledge of possible judicial misconduct or wrongdoing may file a complaint. to the Kentucky Bar Association for possible suspension or disbarment from the practice of law. 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. As part of the agreement, Gaujot resigned as magistrate and agreed . 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601. (Ryan Hermens/The Paducah Sun via AP, File). 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. Circuit court clerks perform duties prescribed by the Kentucky Constitution, statutes, rules and administrative procedures that are integral to Kentucky Court of Justice operations. 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. g:JZp{yxG5/mkV3?8zjwe)c,aBg*; Both formal and informal opinions shall be advisory only. 1Agreed Order of Public Reprimand, Jan. 6, 2017, District Court Judge Shan F. Embry, 46th Judicial District, Div. Create a framework for equitable access to justice by promoting policies, procedures, court rules and legislation that remove barriers to our judicial system. If a complaint is not within the JCCs jurisdiction, it will be dismissed without further action. 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. Operating under Supreme Court of Kentucky rules, the JCC investigates complaints of judicial misconduct, wrongdoing or disability. 2022 Kentucky Court of Justice. 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 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.". The commission is responsible for disciplinary actions taken against judges. 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. "The Judicial Conduct Commission (JCC) is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. The case this week is being heard by Muhlenberg County Circuit Judge Brian Wiggins. vB&!nBP\Ni,(E:*{FX4SyD!28M1p?gq{Yg&(1F1;. Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). By Tonm Latek Kentucky Today. Some opinions that are still valid reference canon numbers from the old 1978 Code of Judicial Conduct and the new canons are noted. And in 2019, Kentucky became one of 11 states to receive a Box 126Dixon, KY 42409-0126270-639-5506, Pulaski County Court of Justice50 Public Square, P.O. 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. The panel viewed a number of videos showing Jamesons courtroom demeanor and use of his contempt power. endstream endobj startxref For, Updates | Crews continue to restore power as thousands remain in the dark after wind storm; the latest numbers, Group demands accountability following release of body cam footage in 'unintentional' shooting of teens, 'We can handle it': Fans brave the weather for Big Nita's Cheesecake, J&J to end sales of baby powder with talc worldwide next year, One person killed in fatal collision on Rose Island Road, Here's what Louisville Police now know about the suspicious device found downtown. FOOTNOTES. Example video title will go here for this video, Serial killer documentary | Meet the Casanova Killer called 'more brutal than Bundy'. The circuit court clerk will also receive a written statement that no retaliation will be taken against the person who filed the complaint. 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. ", 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 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. And she said Jameson pressured her to make a bar complaint against Amy Harwood-Jackson, a public defender who supports his opponent. Supreme Court Justice Michelle M. Keller as chair. In vacating the suspension, the high court did not weigh in on the validity of the misconduct allegations. Increase public awareness of civil legal aid and the justice system and their positive impact on the state and local communities. The JCC also has authority over trial commissioners, domestic relations commissioners, master commissioners and attorneys who are candidates for judicial office. The Judicial Conduct Commission is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. Box 682Somerset, KY 42502-0682606-677-4112, Graydon2400 Chamber Center Drive, Suite 300Fort Mitchell, KY 41017859-578-3070. 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. 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: 1Public Reprimand, Sept. 9, 2020, District Judge Donna G. Dutton, 53rd Judicial District, Div. 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. Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct forms the basis of JEC opinions. PoorBest. 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. 413 0 obj <> endobj Home Chambers5 Cleveland Ave., Suite 500Winchester, KY 40391Phone: 859-901-1616 If no misconduct is found, the complaint will be dismissed. 1Agreed Order of Suspension, July 10, 2015, District Court Judge Gregory T. Popovich, 17th Judicial District, Div. The state Judicial Conduct Commission issued the public reprimand against. 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 rules governing the JCC require confidentiality during the investigation process. 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 . Have a news tip? All rights reserved. Kentucky will play its first game in the tourney at 9 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals. influences and must conduct him/herself at all times in a way that is consistent with the dignity of high judicial office. On August 11, 2022, by The attorney in question served on Judge Gentry's GAL panel. 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. 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. The report said Atkins waived formal proceedings and agreed to the reprimand. This is what a judge ought to be doing,'" Jameson said. You have permission to edit this article. Chief Justice Sir Anthony Smellie | 16 January 2023 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. he was the victim of the alleged assault by the defendant," the judicial conduct panel wrote in its report. Also, the JEC does not respond to inquiries from any person who is not a judge or judicial candidate. "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. 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 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).