FRANKFORT, Ky., June 9, 2004 ¾ Chief Justice of Kentucky Joseph E. Lambert announced today that Judicial Branch offices will be closed Friday, June 11, 2004, in recognition of the national day of mourning for the late President Ronald Reagan. Chief Justice Lambert said the chief circuit judge for a judicial circuit has the discretion to continue operations for the local courts if extraordinary circumstances require the courts to remain open.

The order from Chief Justice Lambert is as follows:

O R D E R

                        The President of the United States of America, having declared Friday, June 11, 2004, as a day of national mourning for the death of Ronald Reagan, Fortieth President of the United States, and the Governor of Kentucky having made a similar declaration with respect to the Executive Branch of Kentucky State Government, and having closed the offices and buildings of the Executive Branch of State Government on that date, accordingly

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Kentucky Court of Justice will be closed on Friday, June 11, 2004, in observance of a day of mourning for President Reagan. 

The foregoing shall not apply where the Chief Circuit Judge of a Judicial Circuit, in consultation with the Chief District Judge and the Circuit Clerk, determines that for extraordinary circumstances the essential business of the local courts would be seriously disrupted by the closure of the offices of the Circuit or District Court.  In such instances,  employees who are required to report to work on June 11, 2004, shall receive an amount of compensatory time consistent with the hours worked that date.

This the 8th day of June, 2004.

/s/ Joseph E. Lambert

           CHIEF JUSTICE