Kentucky Court of Justice
Commission on Racial Fairness surveying Jefferson County court system users about access and fairness

FRANKFORT, Ky., Sept. 30 -- The Jefferson County Commission on Racial Fairness is surveying those who use the Jefferson County judicial system about access and fairness in the system. The survey is being conducted Sept. 29-Oct. 1 and on Oct. 5, 6, 8 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Jefferson County Judicial Center and the Jefferson County Hall of Justice in Louisville.

Access and Fairness Survey 2009 - Jefferson County Commission on Racial Fairness.pdf

Approximately 10 staff members from the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Kentucky Court of Justice are offering the survey to individuals who are at the judicial center and hall of justice for business on the survey days. Those who participate in the survey may include citizens, attorneys, law enforcement officers, social workers and others. Inmates who participate in court proceedings at the judicial center or hall of justice on the survey days also have the opportunity to provide input on their experiences regarding access and fairness in the Jefferson County judicial system. Officers with the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections are offering the survey to those inmates. None of the survey participants will be identified on the survey forms.

The 26-question survey is based on a National Center for State Courts survey and is available in English and Spanish.

The Jefferson County Commission on Racial Fairness was appointed in 2001 to examine study claims of racial bias in Jefferson Circuit Court. The commission is composed of a diverse group of judges, lawyers, civil rights proponents and other leaders in the African-American community. In its nearly eight years of work, the commission has found evidence of disparities or systemic bias regarding bail determinations, sentencing and jury selection. Some of the measures it has recommended to address the problems have been implemented through immediate policy changes and training initiatives. Court of Appeals Judge Denise G. Clayton, who represents Jefferson County, chairs the commission.

The Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort supports the activities of 3,800 Kentucky Court of Justice employees, including the elected offices of justices, judges and circuit court clerks. As the fiscal agent for the state court system, the AOC prepares a biennial budget draft and executes the Judicial Branch budget.