On Friday, August 22, 2025, the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission publicly reprimanded David Curlin, a Family Court Judge in the 51st Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Henderson County.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge David Curlin.”
The reprimand follows a decision by the Kentucky Supreme Court on April 24, 2025, which granted consensual discipline and imposed a one-year law practice suspension on Judge Curlin, with 90 days to be served. This suspension is retroactive to his indefinite suspension that began on September 29, 2023.
The disciplinary actions against Judge Curlin stem from his failure to respond to two bar complaints concerning his conduct prior to his election to judicial office. Additionally, he did not adequately answer formal charges issued by the Inquiry Commission. Despite personally signing for the charges, Judge Curlin failed to submit timely responses as directed by the Supreme Court, leading to his suspension and temporary disqualification from his judicial duties.
The Supreme Court’s April ruling underscored Judge Curlin’s prolonged noncompliance with lawful disciplinary directives while serving in his judicial capacity. The Commission determined that his actions constituted judicial misconduct and fell short of the expected standards of conduct for members of the judiciary.
In its findings, the Commission highlighted violations of the Kentucky Supreme Court Rules (SCR) 4300, particularly Rule 1.2, which mandates that judges promote public confidence in the judiciary’s independence, integrity, and impartiality, and avoid any appearance of impropriety. It also cited Rule 2.16(A), which requires judges to cooperate with disciplinary agencies fully.
In rendering its decision, the Commission noted that Judge Curlin had cooperated with the proceedings. The public reprimand serves as a formal acknowledgment of his misconduct and a reminder of the accountability expected from judicial officers.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
