Three nominees named for vacant Warren judgeship

The three nominees for the judgeship are attorneys Jon Blakely Beliles, Dwight Montae Burton and Kimberly Jo Geoghegan, all of Bowling Green.

Beliles has been a solo practitioner for seven years, focusing on criminal defense. From 2010-2014, he served as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney, prosecuting criminal cases for the 38th Judicial Circuit of Butler, Edmonson, Hancock and Ohio counties. He received his juris doctor from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.

Burton has been a solo practitioner for 13 years, focusing on criminal defense, bankruptcy and family law. From 2006-2008, he served as a public defender with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy. He received his juris doctor from The University of Akron School of Law in Ohio.

Geoghegan has served as a prosecutor for more than 25 years. For the last 18 years, she has been an assistant commonwealth’s attorney for the 8th Judicial Circuit of Warren County. Since 2005, she has been the chief deputy assistant commonwealth’s attorney. She received her juris doctor from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.

The judicial seat will become vacant when Judge Sam Potter Jr. retires July 16.

District Court judges handle juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses, probate of wills, arraignments, felony probable cause hearings, small claims involving $2,500 or less, civil cases involving $5,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments and cases relating to domestic violence and abuse.

The Judicial Nominating Commission helps fill judicial vacancies by appointment when a vacancy occurs outside of the election cycle. The Kentucky Constitution established the JNC. Ky. Const. § 118; SCR 6.000, et seq.

When a judicial vacancy occurs, the executive secretary of the JNC publishes a notice of vacancy in the judicial circuit or the judicial district affected. Attorneys may recommend someone or nominate themselves. The names of the applicants are not released. Once nominations occur, the individuals interested in the position return a questionnaire to the Office of the Chief Justice. Chief Justice Minton then meets with the Judicial Nominating Commission to choose three nominees.

Because the Kentucky Constitution requires that three names be submitted to the governor, in some cases the commission submits an attorney’s name even though the attorney did not apply. A letter naming the three nominees is sent to the governor for review. The governor has 60 days to appoint a replacement and his office makes the announcement.