Mary Potter, West Kentucky Journal
Thursday, December 6, 2012 4:10 pm
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(Clinton, KY – December 6, 2012) – Supreme Court Justice Bill Cunningham held the bible as Hickman Circuit Judge Tim Langford administered the oath of office to Cinda Yates. The new clerk was sworn in as court workers, local attorneys, friends and those in court to do business on motion day looked on.
Yates, who won a primary in May 2012, was unopposed in the general election. She follows Cathy Kellett who chose not to seek re-election. Yates has worked in the circuit clerk’s office for several years.
When asked to say a few words, the new clerk simply said “thank you.”
Justice Cunningham told the audience that he came to take part in the program because “The circuit clerk and staff are the most important people in the judicial system” He said that few will have contact with the circuit judge and even fewer with an appeals court judge. But “everyone comes in contact with the clerk” and it is the clerk and staff that create an impression on the community.
Yates would officially take office on January 7th. However, Judge Langford chose to swear her in because her predecessor is retiring by January 1st. The Judge said that it would be necessary to appoint someone to fill that time and grinning, he asked Yates “Now who would that be?”
Circuit clerks in Kentucky are elected for six year terms. In order to qualify to run for circuit clerk, applicants must take a rigorous examination. Then they run for the office.
Among the many duties of the circuit clerk is the filing and recording of all court documents, recording hearings and trials, preparing dockets, contact potential jurors to name just a few of their duties. They also issue driver’s licenses and oversee driver license testing.