Kentucky judicial news

From Judgepedia

News about or affecting the judiciary in Kentucky.

Kentucky appeals court allows the ten commandments in county courthouse

Kentucky: A three judge panel of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a decision, Thursday, January 14, that declared hanging the ten commandments in the Grayson County courthouse unconstitutional. The 2-1 decision delivered the ruling saying that the primary purpose of hanging the document was not to promote a specific religious view and was, therefore, acceptable. The judges in the majority were David McKeague and Karl Forester; the judge in the minority was Karen Moore.^[1]

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky which originally sued the county for hanging the document is considering an appeal to the United States Supreme Court.^[1]

District judge appointed in Kentucky

Kentucky: Erica Lee Williams is the newest judge appointed to the Kentucky District Courts. She will serve in the 30th District, Division 17 in the seat vacated by Judge Judith K. Bartholomew. Williams was nominated by Governor Steve Beshear after having been recommended by the Kentucky Judicial Nominating Commission.

Judge Williams earned her B.A. from Western Kentucky University, and her Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law. She began her legal career with the firm Boehl, Stopher and Graves as a staff attorney. After two years with them, Williams joined the firm Dinsmore and Shohl, and has worked with them for the past five years.

Williams calls the appointment "definitely a dream come true". ^[1]

Family court judge faces misconduct charges

Kentucky: Family Court Judge Tamra Gormley, of the Scott, Woodford and Bourbon Family Court district, has been charged with three separate counts of judicial misconduct related to incidences in court. The first of the charges involve her treatment of a defendant in her courtroom. She is alleged to have demeaned and denied due process rights to a man in court on a domestic violence charge. The second complaint says Gormley disregarded jurisdictional or venue requirements and pleading and notice requirements for a domestic violence and custody case, and the third involves crossing jurisdictional lines with an Indiana court.

Gormley has responded that the details are inaccurate in all of the charges, saying, "These are complaints, and I'm confident that I conducted myself appropriately in each of these". She is scheduled to appear in Fayette Circuit Court for a hearing at 9 a.m. Sept. 28. ^[1]

Report: State's chief justice looking at new open-records rules for judiciary

(3/18/09) Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice John Minton is expected to propose new guidelines for the Kentucky judiciary and open records.

Lee applies for Supreme Court job

(6/9/08) Sharon Lee, a judge on the state Court of Appeals, has applied for the vacancy on the state Supreme Court created by the retirement of Chief Justice William Barker of Chattanooga. Lee, a Democrat, so far is the only applicant, although Sue Allison, a spokeswoman for the state judicial administration system, said most applicants generally apply closer to the deadline. The deadline is June 20.

Ky. courts trying mediation in criminal cases

(5/27/08) Kentucky has started a pilot mediation program with the hopes of reducing the state's high volume of unsettled cases, and also to reduce prison overcrowding. While a common among civil cases, mediation has been rarity among felony criminal cases in Kentucky and abroad.

Rep. Adam Koenig Introduces House Bill 599 to Eliminate Judicial Primaries Beginning in 2014

(2/21/08) If passed, voters would be required to rank their judicial preferences in order of choice. (Note: Referred to the House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee on February 25, 2008.)

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