Kentucky Supreme Court
From Judgepedia
| Kentucky Supreme Court |
|---|
|
| Sitting justices |
| Bill Cunningham John Minton Lisabeth Hughes Abramson Mary Noble Wil Schroder Will Scott Daniel Venters |
| Former justices |
| Kentucky on Judgepedia |
Contents |
The Kentucky Supreme Court is the state court of last resort and the final interpreter of Kentucky law. The Supreme Court may order a ruling or opinion "to be published," meaning that the ruling becomes the case law governing all similar cases in the future in Kentucky.
Overview
Appeals involving the death penalty, life imprisonment or imprisonment for 20 years or more go directly from Circuit Court to the Supreme Court. All other appeals must first be heard by the Kentucky Court of Appeals, except those so exceptional that the Supreme Court will grant a request to bypass the Court of Appeals. Appeals from the Court of Appeals, except workers’ compensation appeals, reach the Supreme Court only with the court’s permission.[1]
Seven justices sit on the Supreme Court and all seven justices rule on appeals before the court. The justices are elected from seven appellate districts and serve eight-year terms. In addition, the Supreme Court establishes rules of practice and procedure for all Kentucky judges and attorneys.
Justices of the court
The Supreme Court is made up of seven justices elected from districts across Kentucky in non-partisan elections who serve for eight year terms. The Chief Justice is elected by his or her fellow justices for a term of four years. As executive head of the statewide judicial system, the Chief Justice oversees the Administrative Office of the Courts and the more than 3,500 employees of the Court of Justice, including the elected justices, judges and circuit court clerks. He also submits a biennial budget to the Kentucky General Assembly and executes the Judicial Branch budget.
Current justices
The seven members of the Kentucky Supreme Court are:
- Bill Cunningham. Current term expires in 2014.
- John Minton. Current term expires in 2014.
- Lisabeth Hughes Abramson. Current term expires in 2016.
- Mary Noble. Current term expires in 2014.
- Wil Schroder. Current term expires in 2014.
- Will Scott. Current term expires in 2012.
- Daniel Venters
New chief justice
On Monday, May 12, the justices of the Supreme Court of Kentucky elected John Minton as the fifth chief justice of Kentucky. Justice Minton succeeds Joseph Lambert, who announced his retirement in April 24.
- "I am honored by the vote of my colleagues," said Justice Minton in response to being elected chief justice. "I look forward to working with the members of the Court and the Court of Justice family in service to the citizens of the Commonwealth."
- "Justice Minton is an outstanding scholar and a person of unquestioned integrity," said Chief Justice Lambert. "His experience serving as a judge for three levels of Kentucky courts equips him well to be an outstanding chief justice. I am delighted with his election."[2]</blockquote>
Removal from office
Kentucky judges may be removed in one of two ways:
- After notice and hearing, the judicial conduct commission may admonish, reprimand, censure, suspend, retire, or remove a judge. The commission's decisions are subject to review by the supreme court.
- Judges may be impeached by the house of representatives and convicted by a two-thirds vote of the senate.[3]
External links
- Website of the Kentucky Supreme Court
- Kentucky Law Review
- Justices express concern about Carneal's request: Granting hearing could set precedent
References
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