STATEMENT FROM SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS ON THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT OPINION REGARDING JUDGE JULIE MUTH GOODMAN’S PENDING IMPEACHMENT

STATEMENT FROM SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS 

ON THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT OPINION REGARDING JUDGE JULIE MUTH GOODMAN’S PENDING IMPEACHMENT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 8, 2026) — Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, released the following statement after the Kentucky Supreme Court’s April 6 opinion regarding Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Muth Goodman’s impending impeachment articles referred by the House of Representatives to the Senate.



“The Senate is aware of the opinion issued by the Kentucky Supreme Court and is carefully reviewing its implications.

“There have been longstanding concerns within the legal community about the conduct at issue, and I am encouraged that the judicial branch, per the opinion, is now taking a more active role in examining those concerns. That level of accountability is essential to maintaining public confidence in our courts.

“Over time, I have heard directly from attorneys who have expressed serious hesitation about filing formal complaints against judges. Many fear professional repercussions or believe doing so could negatively impact their ability to effectively represent their clients. That is a troubling dynamic, and it underscores why transparency and trust in the disciplinary process are so important.

“The Senate’s focus remains on carrying out its duties as outlined in the Constitution of Kentucky, that each branch of government operates with integrity and that concerns about judicial conduct can be raised and addressed without fear of retaliation."

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BACKGROUND

The 2026 Senate Impeachment Committee is scheduled to convene on April 16 to receive evidence and hear testimony in the impeachment case against Julie Muth Goodman, circuit judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit in Fayette County.

The Kentucky House of Representatives issued articles of impeachment against Goodman on March 20. The articles allege that Goodman abused the powers of her office; defied binding precedents established by the highest courts of the commonwealth; defied statutes enacted by the general assembly; defied rules of the Kentucky Court of Justice; and interfered with the rights and powers of the grand jury, trial court jurors, attorneys, and others to perform their respective roles within the Kentucky Court of Justice.

The Senate, which will serve as the court of impeachment, has appointed a seven-member committee to receive and review the evidence and report its findings to the full Senate for a decision on whether to find Goodman guilty of the charges. 

The Senate has allotted three days, April 16, 17 and 20, for the House prosecution to present the case against Goodman. Goodman will have three days on April 21, 22, and 23 to present her defense. The impeachment committee will present its findings to the full Senate on April 24. All dates are subject to change as determined by the Senate or committee. 

The Kentucky Supreme Court issued an opinion and order against the Senate continuing with the proceedings on April 6. 

According to the Constitution of Kentucky, the Kentucky General Assembly is the only body with the power to impeach elected officials. The Constitution of Kentucky may be found here.