News: 2007 Circuit Court Clerks Summer Conference focused on domestic violence

Nearly 100 circuit court clerks from Kentucky’s 120 counties participated in the 2007 Circuit Court Clerks Summer Conference, which was hosted by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) in Lexington June 20-22.

"The Office of Circuit Court Clerk frequently deals with domestic violence issues," said Clark County Circuit Clerk David N. Hunt, who is also president of the Kentucky Association of Circuit Court Clerks (KACCC). "We wanted to ensure that circuit clerks know how to handle these important cases appropriately and with sensitivity."

The circuit clerks attended sessions on human trafficking, elder abuse, Circuit Court criminal procedures, legislative updates and new court technologies. A panel of experienced circuit clerks offered their colleagues advice on how to apply sound principles to their daily operations. Jason Nemes, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, spoke at the close of the conference.

Representatives from Trust for Life gave a presentation on the ongoing charitable campaign to promote organ donation throughout Kentucky. The KACCC is a sponsor of Trust for Life.

Guest speakers included Dr. Neil Websdale of the National Domestic Violence Fatality Review Initiative, U.S. Department of Justice; Gretchen Hunt, staff attorney for the Division of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services; Pamela Murphy, assistant attorney general and manager of the Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Division, Commonwealth of Kentucky Office of the Attorney General; and Sheila Mason, legislative record compiler for the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. Also presenting were Kenton County Circuit Judge Steven Jaeger, AOC Deputy General Counsel Sara Boswell Dent, State Law Librarian Jennifer Frazier and AOC Technology Services General Manager Neal Miller.

The Department of Judicial Branch Education of the AOC provides annual training conferences for circuit clerks, who are responsible for managing the records of Kentucky’s Circuit and District courts. The Administrative Office of the Courts supports the activities of more than 3,500 Court of Justice employees, including the elected offices of justices, judges and circuit court clerks.