The members of the Supreme Court of Kentucky are, standing, left to right: Justice Will T. Scott, Justice Wil Schroder, Deputy Chief Justice Mary C. Noble and Justice Bill Cunningham; and seated, left to right: Justice Lisabeth Hughes Abramson, Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. and Justice Daniel J. Venters.
Photograph provided by the Kentucky Office of Creative Services.
The Supreme Court of Kentucky is the court of last resort and the final interpreter of state law. 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. The justices, as a panel, hear appeals of decisions from the lower courts and issue decisions or "opinions" on cases. A case, which comes before the Supreme Court, is not retried. Attorneys with written briefs and oral arguments addressing the legal issues, which the Court must decide, present the case to the Supreme Court. Cases involving the death penalty, life imprisonment or imprisonment for twenty years or more go directly from the circuit court level, where the cases are tried, to the Supreme Court for review as a matter of right. After a decision by the Supreme Court of Kentucky, a case can only be appealed to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is also responsible for establishing rules of practice and procedures for the Court of Justice, which includes the conduct of judges and attorneys.
SUPREME COURT OF KENTUCKY
State Capitol
Room 235, 700 Capitol Avenue
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
502-564-5444
Supreme Court to hear arguments Feb. 15-17 in Frankfort
The Supreme Court of Kentucky will convene Wednesday-Friday, Feb. 15-17, in Frankfort to hear oral arguments in cases that originated in Boone, Fayette, Franklin, Jefferson, Meade and Muhlenberg counties. Proceedings are open to the public and will take place at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. EST each day in the Supreme Court Courtroom at the state Capitol. The public may also observe oral arguments via the Supreme Court live stream.
Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges meet with law students in KLEO Program
Supreme Court Justices Lisabeth Hughes Abramson and Wil Schroder and Court of Appeals Judges Denise G. Clayton and Thomas B. Wine met July 13, 2011, with a group of law school students who participate in the Kentucky Legal Education Opportunity Program. The Supreme Court hosted a luncheon for the KLEO scholars to gather with the justices and judges. The event took place in the Supreme Court Conference Room at the Capitol in Frankfort. “I always enjoy meeting our future lawyers, these students who are motivated and up to the challenge and rigors of law school,” Justice Schroder said. “The KLEO Program gives them a glimpse of what to expect.”
Chief Justice Minton suspends hiring freeze, says no layoffs in Fiscal Year 2012
Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr. announced July 1, 2011, that, after several years of budget cuts and austerity measures, the Judicial Branch budget is expected to remain stable for Fiscal Year 2012 (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). The chief justice suspended the three-year hiring freeze for the state court system and said there would be no staff reductions in the coming fiscal year.
Deputy Chief Justice Mary C. Noble becomes first woman to preside in Supreme Court oral arguments
Deputy Chief Justice Mary C. Noble became the first woman to preside during oral arguments in the Supreme Court of Kentucky on June 8, 2011, when she oversaw arguments in the criminal case of Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Leinenbach. "Most women today probably have more freedom to choose than they've ever had," Justice Noble said. "But we still have very limited opportunity in leadership positions in the government and in business. So, when something like this happens, it's a milestone." Justice Noble presided in place of Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr., who recused in the case. Arguments took place in the Supreme Court Courtroom in the Capitol in Frankfort. Listen to Kentucky Public Radio’s interview with Justice Noble – History Made in High Court
Justice Baker's family poses with his portrait at the dedication.
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Supreme Court honors the late Justice Walter Baker at portrait dedication
The Supreme Court of Kentucky honored the late Walter A. Baker, former Supreme Court justice, at a portrait dedication ceremony March 16. "This portrait will be displayed in the halls of this Capitol as a lasting memorial to 'one of Kentucky’s really first-rate citizens,' " Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr. said, quoting Kentucky historian Thomas D. Clark. The portrait will hang in the corridor on the second floor of the Capitol. Circuit Court Judge Phillip R. Patton, who serves Barren and Metcalfe counties, presented a resolution about Justice Baker to the court. Judge Patton chaired the Resolution Committee, which was composed of lawyers who worked with Justice Baker. The dedication ceremony took place in the Supreme Court Courtroom at the Capitol. Justice Baker, a Glasgow attorney who served as a state legislator for more than two decades, passed away in May 2010.
Chief Justice Minton Remarks (59KB-PDF)
Photos from Justice Walter Baker portrait dedication 