Kentucky: Secretary of State

Kentucky's judicial branch is comprised of four levels of courts. At the county level, District Courts decide the majority of legal matters in the state; Circuit Courts hear all civil cases involving more than $4,000. At the state level, the Court of Appeals considers the appeals from the Circuit Courts in both civil and criminal matters. The Kentucky Supreme Court reviews all judgments of Circuit Courts that impose sentences of death, imprisonment of 20 years or more, and various other appeals. All judges in Kentucky courts must be attorneys. District judges are elected to four-year terms; while all others serve eight years. More information on Kentucky’s Judicial Branch can be found at www.kycourts.net.

Kentucky Supreme Court	Consists of seven justices elected from seven districts. The justices choose one from among them to be the Chief Justice. Only hear the most serious and disputed cases that have been appealed in the lower courts. Once a case has been tried in the Kentucky Supreme Court, the only other way to dispute the decision is to go to the United States Supreme Court. Anyone who could be sentenced to the death penalty or life imprisonment is automatically given the right to have their case heard by the Kentucky Supreme Court. The justices hear each case together as a panel.
Court of Appeals	Consists of 14 judges elected from seven districts. Travel the state to hear cases that have have been appealed, or disputed, in the lower courts. Judges team up in groups of three, but they make their final decisions as a whole.
Circuit Court	Consists of 95 circuit judges and 34 circuit family court judges. Hears more serious cases, felonies, and family issues such as divorce and adoption.
District Court	Consists of 116 district judges. Hears less serious cases such as traffic offenses, other misdemeanors, and most juvenile matters. 90% of Kentuckians who must deal with the court system appear before a district court.
Circuit Court Clerks	One circuit clerk is elected for each county Keeps a record of all of the court activities in the county.
Administrative Office of the Courts	Offers numerous forms of administrative support and services to the Court of Justices. Provides educational programs such as We the People and Project Citizen for you to use in school!

Court of Justice