Judy Vance Murphy, Circuit Court Judge, 29th Judicial Circuit comprised of Adair & Casey Counties has been suspended from the bench for inappropriate action, Vance is accused of leveraging her influence as a member of the judiciary in handling a personal matter that involved her daughter's boyfriend and his mother.
During a preliminary investigation, the Kentucky Judicial Commission received information that judge Murphy engaged in the following conduct: In September 2023, Judge Murphy leveraged her influence as a member of the judiciary in handling a personal matter that involved her daughter’s boyfriend and his mother. Between August 28, 2017 and March 8, 2021, Judge Murphy also inappropriately engaged in discussions about ongoing cases with individuals not involved in those cases, thereby threatening the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary. During that same period, Judge Murphy was observed using her smart phone from the bench during court proceedings for non-court related matters, which resulted in a claim of periods of inattention to judicial matters and the appearance of impropriety. Additionally, in July 2024, Judge Murphy also inappropriately leveraged her judicial influence for personal gain by requesting that a suspended attorney sign an affidavit stating the attorney did not view Judge Murphy as vindictive.
Judge Murphy acknowledges all the alleged conduct to be true and accurate.
Investigators say Judge Murphy’s conduct violates SCR 4.300, and the following provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct: Rule 1.2, which requires judicial officers to act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary; Rule2.4,which prohibits a judge from permitting family, social, political, financial, or other interests or relationships to influence the judge’s judicial conduct or judgment; Rule 2.8, which requires a judge to be patient, dignified, and courteous to litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, court staff, court officials, and others with whom the judge deals in an official capacity; and Rule 2.9, which prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications, or from considering other communications made to the judge outside the presence of the parties or their lawyers, concerning a pending or impending matter.
Therefore, in light of Judge Murphy’s acknowledged conduct, she is hereby suspended from her duties without pay for a period of fourteen (14) consecutive days beginning midnight November 11, 2024 and ending midnight November 25, 2024. During the suspension, Judge Murphy shall not use her judicial office at the Casey County Judicial Center, nor any other judicial offices she may have in other courthouses. Judge Murphy shall also forbear from using her secure courthouse access pass and shall turn in any access passes, keys, or credentials to court security while the suspension is in effect.
Further, Judge Murphy shall immediately recuse herself from all proceedings involving the suspended attorney. She shall not preside over, issue rulings, or participate in any capacity in matters involving or pertaining to the suspended attorney.
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