5 www.loubar.org April 2026 COURT NEWS COURT NEWS Balanced. Objective. Reasoned. The mediation standard trusted by family law firms when resolution matters. Bowles and Byer Family Law Mediation provides disciplined, impartial mediation in complex family law matters. Law firms consistently rely on our ability to remain balanced under pressure, understand complex financial and business matters, to hear all sides fully, and to guide parties toward durable, reasoned resolution—without advocacy or escalation. Our approach supports counsel, protects process integrity, and helps families move forward with clarity and dignity. Bowles & Byer Family Law Mediation Judge Jerry Bowles (Ret.) Judge Joan Byer (Ret.) [email protected] 502-558-6142 [email protected] 502-216-9030 not debate litigants in the court of public opinion. Our silence is not indifference; it is discipline. This asymmetry has consequences. Nationally, reports of threats against judges have increased in recent years. Security briefings that once felt extraordinary are becoming routine. Courthouses are reas- sessing entry protocols. Judges are altering daily routines. Some are removing personal information from public databases. Others have had to explain to their children why strangers online are calling their parent corrupt, evil or worse. In fact, this issue is not theoretical for those of us serving in Jefferson County. Judges in our own courthouse have received direct threats of violence. Those threats have included threats of assault, sexual assault, disfigurement and death—not only toward the judges themselves, but toward members of our families. These are not angry words typed in frustration alone; they are specific statements that require law enforcement attention and security precautions. When a judge must consider the safety of a spouse or a child because of a judicial ruling, the problem has moved beyond criticism and into intimidation. This climate does not serve justice. At the same time, it is essential to acknowl- edge that judges are not unaccountable. The American judicial system contains multiple layers of oversight. Every trial court judge is subject to review by an appellate court. In Kentucky and across the nation, decisions can be appealed to an intermediate appellate court and ultimately to the state’s highest court. Those courts have the authority to reverse, remand or modify decisions that are legally erroneous. Beyond appellate review, judges are also subject to disciplinary mechanisms. Each state maintains a Judicial Conduct Commis- sion empowered to investigate complaints of misconduct. There is also a Judicial Ethics Commission that issues advisory opinions and enforces ethical standards. Judges can be reprimanded, suspended or even removed from office for violations of ethical rules. In some jurisdictions, judges must stand for periodic election or retention votes, providing an additional layer of democratic accountability. In short, the judiciary is not self-policing in a vacuum. It operates within a constitutional framework of checks and balances. The danger of social media-driven hostil- ity is that it substitutes viral outrage for structured accountability. It encourages trial by algorithm rather than review by law. It invites individuals—often strangers to the case—to form conclusions based on incomplete information. And when rhetoric escalates into dehumanization, it can inspire individuals already inclined toward instabil- ity or violence. Judicial independence is not a privilege for judges; it is a protection for the public. If judges begin to fear that every difficult deci- sion will trigger a coordinated online attack, or worse, a physical threat, the integrity of the system is at risk. A judge who rules based on fear of retaliation is not independent. A judge who rules based on law—even in the face of criticism—is fulfilling the oath of office. We must find a balance. Citizens must continue to engage, to ques- tion and to advocate for reform where reform is needed. Courts should strive for transparency where ethically permissible. Judicial opinions should be clear and ac- cessible. Public education about how courts function is essential. Many misunderstand- ings arise from a lack of knowledge about burdens of proof, evidentiary rules or statutory mandates that constrain judicial discretion. At the same time, we must shine a bright light at threats and intimidation. Law en- forcement must take credible threats seri- ously. Social media platforms should enforce policies against doxxing and incitement. Civic leaders—regardless of political af- filiation—should model responsible rhetoric when discussing court decisions. As Chief Judge of Family Court, I do not ask to be shielded from criticism. I ask only that criticism remain within the bounds of law and civility. Judges are human beings who take an oath to uphold the Constitution. We work long hours reviewing evidence, studying precedent and weighing decisions that affect the most vulnerable members of our communities: children caught in the crossfire of adult conflict. The strength of our republic depends upon three coequal branches of government that can operate without fear. When social media becomes a vehicle for threats rather than discourse, it undermines that balance. Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of our democracy. So is the rule of law. We must protect both. Chief Judge Derwin Webb presides in Divi- sion 10 of Jefferson Fam- ily Court. n (Continued from previous page) Judge Regina S. Edwards Reappointed to a New Term as U.S. Magistrate Judge The Judges of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky have reappointed Regina S. Edwards to another eight-year term as a United States Magistrate Judge, effective July 28, 2026. This action follows the unanimous recommendation to the court from a merit selection panel comprised of attorneys and lay persons from within the Western District, following the statutorily required public notice and comment period. As a United States Magistrate Judge, Judge Edwards conducts initial proceedings in criminal cases, manages pretrial matters in civil and criminal cases, conducts pretrial conferences and settlement conferences, conducts Social Security appeals and pris- oner litigation, presides over misdemeanor trials and presides over civil trials with the consent of litigants. Judge Edwards was first appointed to be a United States Magistrate Judge by the court for an eight-year term that commenced on July 26, 2018. n Notice from Jefferson County District Court JCPS’ spring break 2026 is Monday, April 6 through Friday, April 10. Please see the changes in court schedule below. 1. For the week of April 6 - April 10, the Civil Court Division will hold their regular Eviction Court and Small Claims dockets on Monday, April 6 through Wednesday, April 8, 2026. 2. There will be no Eviction Court dockets on Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10, 2026. – Hon. Jessica A. Moore Chief Judge, Jefferson District Court
