Kentucky Court of Justice
District judges attend 2009 District Judges Fall College in Western Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Ninety Kentucky District Court judges representing 103 counties recently participated in the 2009 District Judges Fall College at Lake Barkley State Resort Park in Cadiz. The Administrative Office of the Courts offered the college Oct. 18-21 for District Court judges throughout the state.

“District judges are dedicated, hard-working individuals,” said Campbell County District Court Judge Karen A. Thomas, who is president of the Kentucky District Judges Association and the chief regional district judge for the Northern Region. “They participate in the District Judges College to stay on the cutting edge of legal issues that affect the people of Kentucky. The fall college covered a variety of important topics for new and seasoned judges.”

The judges attended courses about managing extradition proceedings, handling evictions and other landlord/tenant matters and understanding the court’s limited role in post-judgment collection proceedings. Other sessions focused on the admissibility of evidence at trial, sentencing for enhanceable offenses and court interpreting services. Judges also examined the barriers that domestic violence victims face while seeking safety from their abusers.

AOC Director Laurie K. Dudgeon addressed the judges during the college. Other speakers for the sessions included state Sen. Robert Stivers, state Rep. John Tilley, attorney Brian S. Katz of Paducah and law professor Henry “Steve” L. Stephens Jr. of Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law. 

District Court
District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction. Juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, misdemeanors, traffic offenses, probate of wills, felony preliminary hearings, small claims, and civil cases involving $4,000 or less are all District Court matters, as are voluntary and involuntary mental commitments and cases relating to domestic violence and abuse.

Administrative Office of the Courts
The Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort supports the activities of approximately 3,800 Kentucky Court of Justice employees, including the elected offices of justices, judges and circuit court clerks. The AOC Division of Judicial Branch Education provides continuing education for district judges.