Kentucky Court of Justice
Jefferson District Court to announce details of reorganization of criminal dockets

FRANKFORT, Ky. – For the first time since the creation of Kentucky’s current court system in 1975, Jefferson District Court is implementing a comprehensive reorganization of its criminal dockets. The reorganization will be effective Aug. 1.

The media and public are invited to a news conference about the reorganization Wednesday, June 1, at the Jefferson County Judicial Center in Louisville. The event will take place at 10 a.m. EDT on the first floor of the judicial center at 700 W. Jefferson St.

“After two years of careful planning and often lively discussion, Jefferson District Court will be getting the overhaul it needs,” Jefferson Chief District Judge Sean R. Delahanty said. “Our judges accepted the challenge to reform the system and I’m especially pleased that this plan has the support of our partners in the legal and law enforcement communities. We’re working hard to prepare everyone for the transition and are looking forward to giving people a much improved experience when they come to Jefferson District Court.”

Supreme Court Justice Lisabeth Hughes Abramson, who represents Jefferson County, will open the news conference. Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr. will provide remarks about the reorganization. Other speakers at the event will include Judge Delahanty, Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk David L. Nicholson, Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell and Jefferson County Sheriff John Aubrey.  

District Court
District Court is the court of limited jurisdiction and handles juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses, probate of wills, arraignments, felony probable cause hearings, small claims involving $1,500 or less, civil cases involving $4,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments and cases relating to domestic violence and abuse. Appeals from District Court decisions are made to the local Circuit Court.

Administrative Office of the Courts
The AOC is the operations arm for the state court system and supports the activities of nearly 3,300 court system employees and 403 elected justices, judges and circuit court clerks. As the fiscal agent for the Kentucky Court of Justice, the AOC executes the Judicial Branch budget.