The Kentucky Supreme Court issued an opinion and order on Monday, which throws out the impeachment resolution (H.R. 124) approved by the Kentucky House of Representatives against Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Goodman.

In her filing for what is known as a supervisory writ petition, Goodman sought a declaration that H.R. 124 constituted an encroachment upon the powers of the Judicial Branch, that it was a violation of the separation of powers doctrine, and that it violated her right to due process of law. She further requests that H.R. 124 and the articles of impeachment issued against her be declared void.

The High Court held that Section 110(2)(a) of the Constitution contains a provision which grants the Supreme Court supervisory control of the Court of Justice, virtually any matter within that context would be subject to its jurisdiction[,]” and that “the Court should exercise its supervisory power sparingly, and, generally only in cases where no other court has power to proceed.”

The Justices stated, “As the Legislature is attempting to supersede our authority to both supervise and correct, when warranted, the behavior of sitting judges, as well as the means by which the Judicial Branch addresses ordinary error correction through the appellate process, our authority to issue supervisory writs pursuant to Section 110 in ‘aid of [our] appellate jurisdiction, or the complete determination of any cause, or as may be required to exercise control of the Court of Justice” is properly invoked.’”

As a result, the Justices held, “The General Assembly is hereby enjoined from any further proceedings in the current impeachment action against Judge Goodman.”

They added, “The General Assembly is hereby ENJOINED from further impeachment proceedings against Judge Goodman and is ORDERED to dismiss the current impeachment proceedings against her.”

The Supreme Court decision came on a 5-1 vote, with Justice Shea Nickell dissenting from the majority. Justice Pamela Goodwine did not participate in the case.

Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Goodman's impeachment has been ordered to be stopped by the Kentucky Supreme Court in a ruling Monday.