Supreme Court rules newly redrawn legislative districts unconstitutional
The Supreme Court of Kentucky ruled Feb. 24, 2012, that the General Assembly’s redrawing of state legislative districts under House Bill 1 was unconstitutional. With its ruling, the Supreme Court affirmed the Franklin Circuit Court decision in the case. Proceedings took place earlier in the day in the Supreme Court Courtroom at the state Capitol in Frankfort. Due to the expedited nature of the case, the Supreme Court issued an order Feb. 24 rather than a full opinion.
Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges meet with law students in KLEO Program
The Supreme Court of Kentucky will hear oral arguments Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 14-15, 2011, in Frankfort in cases that originated in Bourbon, Fayette, Henderson, Jefferson, Marshall and Pulaski 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.
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.
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, 2011. "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
Photos from Justice Walter Baker portrait dedication