11/12/2024
Judge Vance Murphy suspended
Casey County News
The Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission suspended Circuit Court Judge Judy Vance Murphy for two weeks without pay after she acknowledged inappropriate conduct. Judge Murphy oversees circuit court cases in Casey and Adair counties for the 29th Judicial Circuit.
According to an Agreed Order of Suspension, Murphy acknowledged that she inappropriately leveraged her position as judge to influence outcomes of personal matters and with an unnamed suspended attorney, inappropriately engaged in conversations about ongoing cases with individuals not involved in the cases, and was inattentive and using a smart phone for personal matters during court proceedings.
The judicial conduct commission therefore suspended Murphy from her duties for 14 days without pay. The suspension began on Monday, Nov. 11, and runs through Nov. 24, ending at midnight Nov. 25.
According to the order, the commission received information that Murphy had engaged in inappropriate 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,” the order states.
The conduct violates SCR 4.300, and Code of Judicial Conduct Rules 1.2, 2.4, 2.8, and 2.9.
During the two-week suspension, the commission has barred Murphy from using her judicial office at the Casey County Judicial Center or any other judicial offices. She was ordered to not use her secure courthouse access pass and turn in any passes, keys, or credential during the suspension.
She was ordered to recuse herself from all proceedings involving the suspended attorney, who was not named in the order.
The order can be found at
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