On Thursday, March 19, 2026, the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission publicly reprimanded 14th Judicial District Judge Bolton Bevins following a review of his courtroom conduct.
The commission found that Judge Bevins violated the Code of Judicial Conduct through a pattern of behavior demonstrating a failure to exercise judicial temperament, disregard for the law, and discourteous conduct indicative of bias and abuse of judicial authority.
The commission’s review, which included video recordings of numerous court proceedings, revealed multiple instances of misconduct. On June 17, 2024, during a hearing involving a juvenile defendant, Judge Bevins refused to allow the juvenile or his counsel to respond to questions, expressing impatience and directing the defendant to leave the courtroom. When the defendant began to exit, Judge Bevins ordered him back in an inappropriate manner. The judge then held the defendant in contempt for eleven days without proper notice or opportunity to respond.
Later that same day, during a disposition hearing for another juvenile defendant, Judge Bevins stated his intent to sentence the defendant to two weeks in jail for failing a grade, denying the defense counsel the opportunity to argue against the decision. The judge also reacted angrily when the juvenile attempted to answer questions, directing him to “shut up” and “get out,” and refusing to allow any testimony regarding a new allegation.
Additional incidents cited by the commission include a December 5, 2024, preliminary hearing where Judge Bevins raised his voice at a witness, accused her of lying, and prevented her from explaining her testimony. On January 10, 2025, during a review hearing with a juvenile defendant, Judge Bevins stated that the defendant would be held in contempt without a motion, notice, or hearing.
The commission also noted an incident on February 3, 2025, where Judge Bevins questioned a juvenile defendant about alleged absences from school, raising his voice and banging on the desk. He also told the defendant’s mother to “get out” when she asked to speak. On February 18, 2025, Judge Bevins interrupted a defendant attempting to enter a plea and threatened him with contempt.
On March 6, 2025, during a hearing on a motion to revoke probation, Judge Bevins raised his voice at the defendant, prevented her from speaking, and held her in contempt without issuing a contempt order. On March 26, 2025, during an arraignment, Judge Bevins made inappropriate comments to the defendant and ordered her not to speak. On April 21, 2025, Judge Bevins ordered a defendant to be taken away and held in contempt for interrupting him.
The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission determined that Judge Bevins’ actions violated SCR 4.020(1)(b) by engaging in misconduct in office, as well as Rules 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 2.6, and 2.8(B) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. These rules require judges to comply with the law, uphold the integrity of the judiciary, remain impartial, allow individuals to be heard, and treat all individuals with patience and courtesy.
In rendering its decision, the Commission acknowledged Judge Bevins’ cooperation, his agreement to the sanction, and his commitment to implementing corrective measures, including additional training and mentoring.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
