ky what happens to cases when attorney elected judge?

by Noel Schmidt 7 min read

Circuit Court judges are elected and serve eight year terms. Felony cases in Circuit Court are prosecuted by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for that Judicial District. Commonwealth’s Attorneys are elected and serve six year terms.

Full Answer

Does Kentucky have elections to select judges?

Kentucky is one of 12 states that uses nonpartisan elections to select judges and does not use retention elections for subsequent terms. To read more about how states use judicial elections to select judges across the country, click here .

What is a county judge in Kentucky?

County judges in Kentucky serve as executives for the county and are not actually judges.

What kind of cases are heard in Kentucky district courts?

Kentucky District Court Criminal Cases Kentucky District Courts are the lowest level trial court in Kentucky. They are courts of limited jurisdiction and can only hear certain matters. These include: violations of county ordinances, traffic infractions, misdemeanor cases, and felony preliminary hearings.

What are the qualifications to be a judge in Kentucky?

Qualifications of candidates. Candidates seeking election to a judicial office in Kentucky must: Be a United States citizen, a Kentucky resident, and a resident of the district to which they are seeking election for at least 2 years;

Are Kentucky judges elected or appointed?

It consists of seven justices who are elected from the seven appellate districts and serve eight-year terms. The Chief Justice of the Commonwealth is chosen by his or her colleagues and serves a term of four years.

How does the court decide if your case is one that they are going to hear?

Your file will then go to a pool of Supreme Court clerks, who will review all of the documents, summarize them for the justices, and include a recommendation on whether to take the case. The justices then make a final decision. If they decide to hear a case, they will issue a "writ of certiorari."

Do judges decide cases?

Someone must decide what the facts are, identify the relevant legal norm or standard, and then determine whether and to what extent the legal norm or standard governs. That is the role of the judge: to interpret the standard and decide whether or not it applies to the facts of the case.

What is it called when a judge makes a final decision?

verdict - The decision of a petit jury or a judge.

How do you get a judge to rule in your favor?

How to Persuade a JudgeYour arguments must make logical sense. ... Know your audience.Know your case.Know your adversary's case.Never overstate your case. ... If possible lead with the strongest argument.Select the most easily defensible position that favors your case.Don't' try to defend the indefensible.More items...•

What should you not say in court?

Things You Should Not Say in CourtDo Not Memorize What You Will Say. ... Do Not Talk About the Case. ... Do Not Become Angry. ... Do Not Exaggerate. ... Avoid Statements That Cannot Be Amended. ... Do Not Volunteer Information. ... Do Not Talk About Your Testimony.

How do judges decide hard cases?

The discretion thesis asserts that judges decide hard cases by making new law. While it is often assumed that these theses form a coherent theoretical whole, such an assumption is false. Construed as a claim about all possible legal systems, the discretion thesis is inconsistent with the pedigree thesis.

On what basis does a judge decide a case?

The judge decides whether the accused person is guilty or innocent on the basis of the evidence presented and in accordance with the law. If the accused is convicted, then the judge pronounces the sentence.

How long does a judge take to make a decision?

around three to four monthsA judge will usually look at the application and other documents you have made in your permission application and use those to decide whether to grant you permission to proceed or not with the judicial review. Most decisions are made within around three to four months, unless you are applying for an urgent injunction.

What are 3 types of judgement?

Three Kinds of JudgementAnalytic judgements have no descriptive content.Synthetic judgements have just descriptive content.Evaluative judgements go beyond descriptive content.

When can a final judgment becomes final?

A judgment in criminal case becomes final after the lapse of the period for perfecting an appeal, or when the sentence has been partially or totally satisfied or served, or the defendant has expressly waived in writing his right to appeal. Sections 1 and 6 of Rule 118 provide: SECTION 1.

How long can a judge reserved judgment?

The selective following of the court's rules. In 2012, the Supreme Court itself had said that no judgement can be reserved for more than three months. Like many of the court's own rules, this too, is often ignored. In the disproportionate assets case involving former Tamil Nadu chief minister J.

How many states have judicial retention elections?

Kentucky is one of 21 states that have nonpartisan or partisan judicial elections. There are also 17 states with judicial retention elections at some or all levels of state courts and three states with partisan judicial elections followed by retention elections. Supreme Court. Court of Appeals. Circuit Court.

Which state has bankruptcy courts?

United States bankruptcy court, Eastern District of Kentucky. United States bankruptcy court, Western District of Kentucky. Judicial selection in Kentucky. Judges in Kentucky participate in nonpartisan elections . Kentucky is one of 21 states that have nonpartisan or partisan judicial elections.

How can judges be removed in Kentucky?

Removal of judges. Judges in Kentucky may be removed in one of two ways: First, after a notice and hearing, the Judicial Conduct Commission may admonish, reprimand, censure, suspend, retire, or remove a judge. The commission's decisions are subject to review by the Kentucky Supreme Court. Second, judges may be removed through impeachment by ...

How long do district court judges serve in Kentucky?

The judges of the Kentucky District Courts, like all other judges in Kentucky, are elected in nonpartisan elections. They serve four-year terms and must run for re-election if they wish to serve again.

How long was the Kentucky Court of Justice?

1975: Voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing a unified court system to be called the Kentucky Court of Justice. Terms of appellate and circuit court judges were set at eight years; district court judges at five-year.

How long are the terms of the Supreme Court of Kentucky?

The seven justices of the Kentucky Supreme Court and the fourteen judges of the Kentucky Court of Appeals are elected to eight-year terms in nonpartisan elections. They must run for re-election if they wish to serve subsequent terms.

How long does a judge have to be a citizen?

In order to serve on either of these two courts, a judge must be: a U.S. citizen; a resident of the represented district for at least two years ; licensed to practice law for at least eight years.

Who recommends judges?

They are usually first recommended by senators (or members of the House, occasionally). The President of the United States nominates judges, who must then be confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article III of the United States Constitution.

What happens if the term of the appointee expires?

If the term the appointee will fill expires at the next election, the appointment is for the remainder of the term. If the term does not expire at the next election and that election is more than three months away, the appointee must stand for election, and the election is for the remainder of the unexpired term.

What is a response to a complaint filed by a defendant?

A defendant’s written response to the plaintiff’s initial court filing (the complaint or petition) that is filed with the court. A copy is sent to the plaintiff or plaintiff’s attorney. Appeal. Asking a higher court to review and change the decision or sentence of a trial court because the lower court made an error.

Which court hears civil cases?

Circuit Court. A court considered the main trial court that hears civil matters involving more than $5,000. It decides cases of criminal matters (such as capital offenses and felonies) and civil matters (such as divorce, adoption, termination of parental rights, land disputes, contested wills and personal injury).

What is civil court?

Civil. A court proceeding that is not criminal, such as hearings on family disputes, wills, emergency protective orders (EPOs) and domestic violence orders (DVOs). Complaint. A legal document that tells the court what you want and is served with a summons on the defendant to begin the case. Contempt of Court.

What is a deposition in civil court?

In civil cases, the person against whom a lawsuit is filed. In criminal cases, the person who is arrested and charged with a crime. Deposition. Testimony of a witness taken, given under oath and outside the courtroom, in response to questions by one of the parties or his/her attorney.

What is legal custody?

Parents may ask for a custody arrangement that they believe is in the best interest of their child. Legal custody refers to a parent’s legal right to take part in important decisions, such as health care and education.

What is a court filing?

A court that hears civil cases involving family issues, such as divorce , custody, parental rights, child support and adoption. Filing. Giving the circuit court clerk legal papers that become part of the case file. Can also refer to a particular document in the court file. Financial Affidavit.

How to get court schedules?

Give general information about where to find court procedures, deadlines, rules and practices. Provide court schedules and information about how to get a case scheduled. Provide basic information about your own case file. Provide official court forms and instructions. Provide copies of documents for a fee.

How old do you have to be to be a county attorney in Kentucky?

To become a county attorney in Kentucky, a person must be at least 24 years of age, is required to be a citizen of Kentucky, must have been a resident of the state for two years, and must reside in the county for which he or she serves, one year prior to the election. Lastly, the county attorney candidate must be a licensed practicing attorney ...

What is the job of a county attorney?

The most obvious responsibility is the prosecution of all violations of criminal law within the jurisdiction of the district court ; that includes all misdemeanors, such as DUI offenses, other traffic violations, assault, and theft of less than $300.

What are the three categories of juvenile cases?

Juvenile cases are broken down into three categories: status, dependence, and criminal. These cases are heard in a separate division of district court, which is usually referred to as juvenile court. Status cases involve acts that wouldn’t be considered crimes if adults committed them.

Who collects delinquent child support?

Most county attorneys contract annually with the Cabinet for Families and Children to collect delinquent child support payments in their counties. Even if a county attorney does not collect delinquent child support payments, he or she is responsible for prosecuting those who refuse to support their children.

Who can prosecute a bad check?

Although there are many check collection agencies, only county attorneys have the power to prosecute those who repeatedly write bad checks. At the request of the merchant, the county attorney ’s office will issue a letter to the writer of the bad check to advise the person that the check was not valid.

Is there a trial in juvenile court?

There is no trial by jury available in juvenile criminal court cases and the terminology is different. “Sentences” are called “dispositions,” and “trials” are called “adjudications” in juvenile court.

What is a lawyer considered?

For the most part lawyers are considered advocates for their clients. They are expected to argue their client's side of the case.Many times what lay people consider perjury the court does not. In general lawyers are immune from what they say in the courtroom while representing a client. Perjury is when a witness not a lawyer is testifying falsely. A lawyer however can be sanctioned for misrepresenting facts to...

What is perjury in law?

In general lawyers are immune from what they say in the courtroom while representing a client. Perjury is when a witness not a lawyer is testifying falsely. A lawyer however can be sanctioned for misrepresenting facts to... 1 found this answer helpful. found this helpful. | 0 lawyers agree. Undo Vote. Helpful.

What happens at a preliminary hearing?

At this hearing the Prosecution has to prove to the Judge that it is more probable than not that the defendant committed the crime charged. There are three possible outcomes to the preliminary hearing: (1) the charges are dropped because the Prosecutor cannot show probable cause, (2) the Judge finds that probable cause does exist and turns the case over to the Grand Jury to seek an indictment, or (3) the defendant agrees to proceed without requiring an indictment from the Grand Jury. It is very important to remember that if the charges are dropped at this point in the process the Prosecutor has the right bring the charges again down the road because Jeopardy has not yet attached.

How long does it take for a preliminary hearing to be heard in federal court?

In Federal Court the Preliminary Hearing must occur within 14 days of the Initial Appearance if the defendant is in jail and 21 days if they are not. 6. The Grand Jury Issues an Indictment. The Grand Jury process is very secretive.

How does a criminal prosecution start?

There are three primary ways in which a prosecution is initiated; (1) a police officer files a complaint, (2) a private citizen files a complaint, or (3) an arrest is made without a warrant or summons. The most common method is for a police officer to file the complaint.

Why is a case dismissed?

Other times the case will be dismissed because the Prosecution lacks the evidence necessary to move forward. Cases that are not dismissed or that fail to reach a plea agreement move to trial.

Why is understanding the process of a criminal prosecution important?

Understanding the process of a criminal prosecution is vital to defending a criminal charge and asserting your rights as a defendant. The following is a step by step explanation of what happens from the time a crime is alleged all the way to the trial.

What is the most common method of filing a complaint?

The most common method is for a police officer to file the complaint. The officer will usually submit a sworn statement called an affidavit with the complaint explaining why the officer believes a crime was committed by the defendant.

Why is it important to understand the steps of a criminal case?

Understanding the steps in a criminal prosecution is important to insuring the best outcome in a criminal case. During many of these steps it is valuable to have the advice and help of a competent attorney as they can help defendants navigate the steps of the process and avoid common pitfalls.

What is a hyperlink in Kycourts?

Hyperlinks can be utilized throughout the manual to connect the user to specific references in the KyCourts User Manual, Clerks’ Accounting Manual, and Court of Justice Forms. The u ser may also use hyperlinks to connect to other chapters or headings within this manual.

What does KRS 403.720 mean?

KRS 403.720.  Dating violence and abuse means physical injury, ser ious physical injury, stalking, strangulation, sexual assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical injury, serious physical injury, sexual abuse, or assault occurring between persons who are or have been in a dating relationship .

Limited Jurisdiction Courts

History

Selection of Federal Judges

  • Candidates seeking election to a judicial office in Kentuckymust: 1. Be a United States citizen, a Kentucky resident, and a resident of the district to which they are seeking election for at least 2 years; 2. Be licensed to practice law in the state of Kentucky; and 3. Be a licensed attorney for at least 8 years if seeking election to the Kentucky ...
See more on ballotpedia.org

Courts in Kentucky

in Other States

External Links

  • United States district courtjudges, who are selected from each state, go through a different selection process from that of state judges. The district courts are served by Article III federal judges, who are appointed for life during good behavior. They are usually first recommended by senators (or members of the House, occasionally). The President of the United States nominate…
See more on ballotpedia.org