Tagged: Kentucky Supreme Court

The Kentucky Supreme Court has ordered Kentucky child welfare officials to publicly release records of child abuse cases resulting in death or serious injury.

The court released the 3-3 vote on Thursday on whether to halt a lower court decision ordering the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to open the cases. The tie vote let the lower court decision stand.

In a historic appointment, Governor Steve Beshear has named Court of Appeals Judge Michelle M. Keller of Fort Mitchell to the Kentucky Supreme Court.

The appointment increases the number of women on the state's highest court to three. It is the first time the state Supreme Court has had three female justices on the bench.

Keller replaces Justice Wil Schroder, who resigned January 17 due to health reasons.

In a statement, Keller says her appointment is bittersweet.

Gov. Steve Beshear has 60 days to appoint a new justice for the Kentucky Supreme Court once the state's Judicial Nominating Commission hands over the list that was narrowed down to three names this week.

Justice Wil Schroder retired in January from the 6th Supreme Court District which includes 21 northern Kentucky counties.

The commission--made up of Chief Justice John Minton, members appointed by the state bar association and citizens appointed by the governor--is responsible for requesting and considering nominees presented by the state bar. 

The Kentucky Supreme Court is weighing whether actions by an award-winning educator who disciplined an elementary school student constitute “conduct unbecoming a teacher.”

The case stems from a 2009 incident at Cardinal Valley Elementary School in Lexington.

The Kentucky Supreme Court is expected to hand down a ruling soon on whether public school administrators should read Miranda rights to students when they question them with a resource officer present.

The case involves a high school student in Nelson County who was convicted of sharing prescription pain pills after confessing to the school’s vice principal and resource officer.

Tuesday is the second of three furlough days in Kentucky’s state judicial system.

Courthouses across the state will be closed as part of the system’s budget cutting plan.

Most court operations, including pre-trial services, driver license branches and bond processing will be shut down.

The processing of domestic violence and emergency protective orders will not be affected.

The first court system furlough day was August 6; the third and final furlough day is October 15.