Opinion ID: 2276843
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Application of egregious error standard.

Text: A Family Court judge must not only graduate from law school, but pass the bar examination, and have practiced law for at least eight years before becoming a Family Court judge. [30] All Kentucky judges are provided with computers and a subscription for online legal research. Most, if not all, Family Court judges are given support staff, one of whom is a licensed attorney. [31] Judge Gormley knew, or should have known, that she was acting erroneously in this case but proceeded to plow forward seemingly without regard for fundamental rights and with a seeming disregard for the law. In other words, even if we had determined that Judge Gormley's actions in Count I did not constitute bad faith, we would conclude that Judge Gormley violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by making egregious legal ruling[s] . . . contrary to clear and determined law about which there is no confusion or question as to its interpretation.. . . [32] Also, Judge Gormley's actions in Count I are a component of her having engaged in a pattern of misconduct. In short, as a reviewing court, we cannot say the Judicial Conduct Commission was clearly erroneous in its finding of fact, misconstrued the law, or was unfair in its judgment against Judge Gormley as to Count I.