Judge Bruce Butler attends conference for newly elected circuit judges FRANKFORT – Circuit Judge Bruce T. Butler participated in the Newly Elected Officials Orientation Conference at the Embassy Suites in Lexington Dec. 11-15, 2006. Judge Butler will serve Breckinridge, Grayson and Meade counties. The Office for Judicial Branch Education of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) presented the conference to facilitate the transition of the newly elected circuit and district judges and circuit court clerks as they prepare to take office Jan. 2. “The judicial branch of state government is responsible for providing citizens a forum in which to assure their constitutional and legal rights in a timely and efficient manner,” said Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert, who invited all newly elected court officials to attend the conference. “More than one million cases flow through Kentucky courts each year. Judges, circuit clerks and court employees must work together to maintain an honorable and independent judiciary.” The judges and circuit clerks met in joint session during the first two days of the conference to learn about administrative procedures, personnel policies, court technology, court security and other pertinent topics. During the last three days of the conference, participants attended separate sessions specific to the office of circuit judge, district judge and circuit court clerk. “This comprehensive orientation program was extremely valuable in preparing judges and circuit clerks to take office,” said Dr. Deborah Williamson, general manager of the AOC Office for Judicial Branch Education. Circuit court is the court of general jurisdiction and hears all felony criminal matters and civil matters involving more than $4,000. It has jurisdiction over capital offenses and felonies, dissolution of marriage, adoption, termination of parental rights, land disputes and contested probate cases. Family court is a division of circuit court. The Administrative Office of the Courts supports the activities of more than 3,500 court of justice employees, including the elected offices of justices, judges and circuit court clerks.
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