Kentucky Court of Justice
Fall Conference for Circuit Court Clerks

More than 80 circuit court clerks from across the state attended the 2006 Circuit Court Clerks Fall Conference held in Louisville Nov. 15-17. The conference, hosted by the Administrative Office of the Courts, focused on court procedures that involve mental health issues such as involuntary hospitalization and treatment for alcohol and drug abuse.

The circuit clerks also attended sessions on office management techniques, statewide case management standards and quality assurance in court record keeping. Representatives from Trust for Life gave a presentation on the ongoing charitable campaign sponsored by the KACCC to promote organ donation throughout Kentucky.

Guest speaker Charlotte Wethington spoke about her efforts to pass Kentucky House Bill 192, which is known as the Casey Wethington Act for Substance Abuse Intervention. Wethington, who lost her son to a heroin overdose, was the driving force behind the law that enables parents to place adult children into treatment against their will.

“The Office of Circuit Court Clerk is often called upon to handle cases surrounding mental health issues,” said Clark County Circuit Clerk David N. Hunt, who is also president of the Kentucky Association of Circuit Court Clerks. “We wanted to ensure that circuit clerks know how to handle these important cases appropriately and with sensitivity."

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.