The Judicial Conduct Commission of Kentucky charges the Honorable James T. Jameson – judge of the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court of Kentucky – with four counts of judicial misconduct.
The filing in the Kentucky Court of Justice is entitled ‘Complaint,’ filed on Thursday, July 21, 2022, in a case styled as in the matter of Judge James T. Jameson.
“The allegations include violations of Canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct, including: Canon 1, Rule 1.1 Canon 1, Rule 1.2 Canon 1 Rule 1.3, Canon 2 Rule 2.1, Canon 2 Rule 2.2, Canon 2 Rule 2.4 (B), Canon 3 Rule 3.1 (A), Canon 3 Rule 3.1 (C), Canon 3 Rule 3.1 (D), Canon 3 Rule 3.2, and Canon 3 Rule 3.11 (B).
These ethics rules generally require:
A judge to comply with the law, including the Code of Judicial Conduct, requires a judge to act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.
A judge shall not abuse the prestige of judicial office to advance the personal or economic interests of the judge or others, or allow others to do so, The duties of judicial office shall take precedence over all of a judge’s personal and extrajudicial activities.
A judge shall uphold and apply the law, and shall perform all duties of judicial office fairly and impartially.
A judge shall not permit family, social, political, financial, or other interests or relationships to influence the judge’s judicial conduct or judgment, provides that when engaging in extrajudicial activities.
A judge shall not participate in activities that will interfere with the proper performance of the judge’s judicial duties, provides that when engaging in extrajudicial activities.
A judge shall not participate in activities that would appear to a reasonable person to undermine the judge’s independence, integrity, or impartiality, provides that when engaging in extrajudicial activities.
A judge shall not engage in conduct that would appear to a reasonable person to be coercive.
A judge shall not appear voluntarily at a public hearing before, other otherwise consult with, an executive or legislative body or office and requires that a judge shall not serve as an officer, director, manager, general partner, advisor, or employee of any business entity.”
The complaint states:
“You acted as the alter ego for the 42nd Judicial Circuit Community Corrections Board (“CCB”) in the creation and development of an ankle monitoring program, failing to separate yourself as Circuit Judge from your duties at CCB, creating the appearance of impropriety to the public.”
The filing continues:
“You acted as the alter ego for the 424 Judicial Circuit Community Corrections Board(“CCB”) in the implementation and operation of CCB’s ankle monitoring program. As Circuit Court Judge, you participated in communications with CCB staff, whose work you directly supervised, including conversations regarding the ankle
monitoring program rules, alleged violations, and Orders for cases over which you presided.”
The complaint further alleges:
“During your tenure as Circuit Court Judge, you used your influence and the prestige of judicial office to pressure attorneys, individuals, and groups to fund and support your political campaign, going as far as saying that certain monetary contributions were not
sufficient.”
The Judge earned a law degree from Northern Kentucky University.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
