Judicial independence

Kentucky's Judicial Conduct Commission suspended Jefferson Family Court Judge Lauren Ogden for 30 days without pay after finding she failed to remain impartial and fair on the bench, citing conduct including texting during hearings, eating food on the bench, and speaking over attorneys with a sarcastic tone. An analysis by The Courier-Journal found this may be the first suspension of a Jefferson County family court judge for in-court conduct, with the last Jefferson County judicial suspension dating back a decade. Ogden, who has not been previously reprimanded, accepted the suspension and said every person in her courtroom deserves to be heard.