Kentucky Legislature Censures State Supreme Court Justice

House and Senate pass resolutions criticizing Justice Kelly Thompson's opinion on impeachment proceedings

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:06am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, cinematic painting of the Kentucky State Capitol building, its grand architecture and columns illuminated by warm, diagonal sunlight, conveying a sense of political tension and uncertainty.The clash between Kentucky's legislative and judicial branches over impeachment proceedings casts a somber shadow over the state's political landscape.Frankfort Today

The Kentucky House and Senate have filed separate resolutions censuring state Supreme Court Justice Kelly Thompson over his concurring opinion in a ruling that terminated the impeachment of Fayette County Circuit Judge Julie Goodman. The resolutions accuse Justice Thompson of threatening attorneys and legislators involved in the impeachment proceedings.

Why it matters

This clash between the legislative and judicial branches highlights ongoing tensions over the separation of powers and the scope of each branch's authority. The censure resolutions reflect the legislature's view that the Supreme Court overstepped its bounds by interfering in the impeachment process, which the legislature sees as its constitutional responsibility.

The details

House Resolution 141 and Senate Resolution 305 state that Justice Thompson's opinion 'threatened attorneys and legislators participating in pending impeachment proceedings with professional discipline and criminal prosecution.' The resolutions call on the Legislative Research Commission to file a complaint against Justice Thompson with the Judicial Conduct Commission.

  • On the final day of the legislative session, the Kentucky House and Senate filed the censure resolutions.
  • The Senate had previously suspended the impeachment proceedings against Judge Goodman, with plans to wait for findings from the Judicial Conduct Commission.

The players

Justice Kelly Thompson

A justice on the Kentucky Supreme Court who filed a concurring opinion terminating the impeachment of Fayette County Circuit Judge Julie Goodman.

Judge Julie Goodman

A Fayette County Circuit Court judge who was the subject of impeachment proceedings that were terminated by the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Senate President Robert Stivers

The Kentucky Senate President who called the Supreme Court's opinion an encroachment on the Senate's constitutional responsibility.

Senator Brandon Storm

A Kentucky state senator who said the Senate can take up the matter of Judge Goodman's impeachment again in the next legislative session if necessary.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Judicial Conduct Commission will review the complaint filed against Justice Thompson by the Legislative Research Commission. The Senate has indicated it may revisit the impeachment proceedings against Judge Goodman in the next legislative session.

The takeaway

This clash between the Kentucky legislature and Supreme Court highlights the ongoing tensions over the separation of powers and the scope of each branch's authority. The censure resolutions reflect the legislature's view that the court overstepped its bounds by interfering in the impeachment process, which the legislature sees as its constitutional responsibility.