Jackson County Judge Executive
William O. Smith
County Judge Executive Background Information
Kentucky’s Constitutions of 1792 and 1799 did not provide for a county judge.
Justices of the peace were the most important local judicial officials during the time these
constitutions were in effect. Their duties included responsibility for county administrative
matters .
Under the 1891 Constitution, the office of judge of the county court combined a
number of judicial, legislative, and administrative duties. Sections 139 and 140 made the
county judge the chief judicial officer of the county and quarterly courts. The county
judge executive was also made the presiding officer of the fiscal court, the county
legislative body.
The Office Today
The 1975 Judicial Amendment to the Constitution, which reorganized the state’s
judicial system, stripped the office of the county judge of its judicial powers and
responsibilities.
The county judge executive today has the primary responsibility for presiding over the fiscal court and the administrative duties of county government.
The county judge executive serves a four year term and may be re-elected indefinitely.
