Kentucky Judge Voids Impeachment Articles Against Julie Muth Goodman Over Lack of Impeachable Offense

On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, LEX 18 reported that a Franklin Circuit Court judge ruled the impeachment articles against Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Muth Goodman are null and void, finding that the Kentucky House of Representatives failed to allege an impeachable offense.

In an order issued the same day, Judge Phillip J. Shepherd determined that the legislature overstepped its authority by attempting to impeach Goodman based on her judicial decisions and courtroom administration. He wrote that impeachment powers do not extend to disagreements over rulings unless criminal conduct is involved.

The impeachment effort stemmed from House Resolution 124, which adopted a petition filed by former state representative Killian Timoney. The resolution accused Goodman of judicial misconduct tied to six cases. Shepherd noted that three of those cases remain pending, while four involve disputes with the Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

Shepherd emphasized that complaints about a judge’s rulings fall under the jurisdiction of the Judicial Conduct Commission and the Kentucky Supreme Court, not the legislature. In his order, he warned that allowing lawmakers to remove judges over legal disagreements would undermine the balance of powers.

“The legislature has now asserted the power to remove judges and justices from office because it disagrees with their rulings,” Shepherd wrote, adding that such authority would erode constitutional checks and balances.

The ruling also referenced testimony from Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Baird, a former political opponent of Goodman, who served as the chief witness before the House Special Impeachment Committee. According to the order, Baird said she cooperated with lawmakers because she was uncertain whether the Judicial Conduct Commission would act.

Although Shepherd voided the impeachment articles, he declined to block a potential Senate trial, noting the Senate was not a party to the case. The matter is also pending before the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Source: LEX 18