FAMILY COURT JUDGE RACING COMPETITIVE IN CLAY, JACKSON & LESLIE COUNTIES - CANDIDATE PROFILES

CCN Staff Report

Clay, Jackson, & Leslie counties (KY) -  The election of a Family Court Judge for the 41st Judicial Circuit, Division II which includes Clay, Jackson, and Leslie counties is rather interesting and becoming increasingly competitive.

Currently, the office is held by Clint Harris who was appointed Family Court Judge by Governor Matt Bevin. Harris has served as Assistant Clay County Attorney since 1986, but the two competitors also have significant experience in the legal profession and within the courts practicing defense law and as a prosecutor within the three county service area.

Candidate Profiles:

Clint Harris was a prosecutor as Assistant Clay County Attorney and was primarily responsible for prosecuting juvenile cases against alleged law violators--children, parents, and others in Clay Family Court. He has also prosecuted cases in Clay District Court.

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Monica Rice-Smith who has been a prosecutor as Assistant Leslie County Attorney and was the prosecutor in juvenile cases against alleged law violators--children, parents, and others in Leslie County.

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Former U.S. Navy Officer, Veteran Kenneth Stepp has established a career practicing law and has served primarily as a defense attorney, public defender and as an Assistant Public Advocate representing indigent defendants in criminal cases in Harlan and Bell District Courts. Mr. Stepp considers his never being a prosecutor of individuals as an important contrast among the candidates.

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ClayCoNews readers and voters in Clay, Jackson, and Leslie counties are urged to participate in the democratic process and to cast their vote on May 17, 2016. The Office of Family Court Judge is an incredibly important position and directly impacts children and families.