Judge Lisa Payne Jones intends to seek the First District Court of Appeals seat vacated by the retirement of Judge Donna Dixon, who held the position for 17 years. Jones currently serves as the Chief Circuit Judge of Daviess County.
Jones has 22 years of judicial experience, beginning in 2001 when she was appointed to the Daviess District Court to fill the unexpired term of Judge Gene Lanham. She went on to become the first female elected judge in Daviess County in November 2002.
“I loved being a District Court judge. In the District Court, a judge has more daily interaction with the citizens of Kentucky than any other elected official in the state. Whether in probate or traffic court, most people’s involvement with the court system occurs at the District Court level,” Jones said. “Whether those people feel they were treated fairly affects their view of the entire justice system. It was a tremendous responsibility.”
In 2019, Jones was elected to the Daviess Circuit Court to fill the unexpired term of Judge Joseph Castlen; she was re-elected in 2022.
“I love being a Circuit Court judge,” Jones said. “Presiding over trials, and listening to the testimony of victims, families and defendants has opened my eyes to the suffering, the struggles, and the strength found in each person who appears before me. Working with Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Tim’s Law has given me the opportunity to cheer on individuals as they take steps to reclaim their future. I want to continue my service to the Commonwealth and her citizens on the Court of Appeals.”
In her time on the bench, Jones has piloted the Model Court Program in Daviess County. The program promotes the use of evidence-based and best practices in child abuse and neglect cases. She also served on the Family Court Rules Committee, which created the original set of Family Court Rules of Practice and Procedure for the Commonwealth.
Jones was appointed to serve on Kentucky’s Juvenile Justice Task Force and, later to the Juvenile Justice Oversight Council, both of which brought about nationally recognized reform to Kentucky’s juvenile justice system.
As a District Judge, Jones presided over Juvenile Drug Court. In Circuit Court, she presides over Adult Drug Court. She helped form a community coalition to create the Daviess County Mental Health Court for felony offenders, and the Administrative Office of the Courts has since adopted the Daviess County model and is working to expand it throughout the Commonwealth.
Jones still presides over the Daviess County Mental Health Court and the Tim’s Law pilot project in Daviess County to provide court-monitored outpatient mental health treatment to individuals who would otherwise be unlikely to adhere to a treatment plan. Jones has received the Beacon Award for her contributions towards the treatment of substance use disorder in Daviess County.
There are 14 judges on the Kentucky Court of Appeals who are elected from 7 appellate court districts. The judges sit in panels of 3 to review and decide cases throughout the Commonwealth. Daviess County is new to the First District which consists of 23 counties.
“My experience on the bench and in private practice covers every area of the law,” Jones said. “As a Circuit Judge, I have issued rulings on complex litigation and on appeals from the District Court level. I understand the struggles of a trial judge who must rule on an issue where there is no precedent, or handle an objection in mere moments that could have a great impact on an individual’s life, liberty, or property.”
She continued: “I have borne witness to the damage untreated drug addiction and mental illness can do to individuals, families, and communities. I have also seen how communities can come together, communicate, and solve problems. My experience has given me patience, empathy, and knowledge. I hope I’m given the chance to serve all of the First District as I’ve served Daviess County, and I welcome the opportunity to learn more about each county and community in Western Kentucky.”
