KENTUCKY DRIVERS’ LICENSES

Information from the County Attorney's Office

By Steven J. Franzen, Campbell County Attorney

Recently, Governor Matt Bevin signed House Bill 410 into law to bring Kentucky into compliance with federal security regulations for driver’s license (Real ID Act).  House Bill 410 is legislation that will allow Kentuckians with a driver’s license to either keep a standard license that everyone currently uses now or request an enhanced license that complies with the federal regulations.  As part of enacting House Bill 410, Kentucky was also granted an extension until 2019 to come into compliance with federal regulations for driver’s licenses. 

The enhanced license authorized as part of House Bill 410 will not be available until 2019.  As part of this federal regulation and extension, if you do not have an enhanced license beginning in 2019, a person will not be able to enter or visit federal facilities such as VA facilities, Social Security offices, federal courthouses, and TSA facilities such as airports.  For example, in 2019 you would not be able to board a plane at CVG unless you had either an enhanced license or federally issued identification such as a passport or military identification card. 

To obtain an enhanced license for eight years that complies with federal regulation, the cost would be an additional five dollars and would require providing additional proof of identity through personal documents that are scanned into a database.  These requirements meet the minimum requirements set by the federal regulations.  For more information on the federal regulations, visit: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-frequently-asked-questions.  The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will be providing more information and a public education campaign to fully explain the new driver license system in 2018.

Lastly, as a servant of the community I would remind everyone to check their driver’s license to determine when it expires as the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet no longer issues a reminder to renew your license.  It is your responsibility to make sure your license is not expired and it is a crime to drive with an expired license.

If you have any topics you would like to have covered in this column, please contact my office by e-mail at countyattorney@campbellcountyky.org, by phone at 491-7700 or by regular mail addressed to 319 York Street, Newport, Kentucky 41071.

COURTROOM ETIQUETTE

Information from the County Attorney's Office

By Steven J. Franzen, Campbell County Attorney

Unfortunately, on a regular basis people at court for a variety of reasons fail to follow basic courtroom etiquette and procedure.  This article will address some common issues and recommendations should you ever have the need to appear in court. 

Every court proceeding is a serious matter with significant consequences to the participants.  Similar to school, everyone is expected to be on their best behavior while in the courtroom and observe basic courtroom etiquette.  This starts before going to court in what you wear.  It is important to dress appropriately when appearing in court.  For non-attorneys, a suit may not be necessary but clothes should at least be clean and neat in appearance.  For example, a button up shirt is acceptable whereas pajamas are unacceptable.  A common problem is that it is unacceptable to wear hats into the courtroom. 

While in court, you should always treat everyone with respect, do not curse or raise your voice.  No one should talk while the judge is speaking and everyone should address every judge with respect.  When in court, you cannot eat, drink or chew gum.  When you have a court date, always arrive early to make sure you are in attendance on time for your case and make sure while in the courtroom that your cell phone is turned off. 

Although most court proceedings are open to the public, you should not bring children unless you have been ordered by the judge to do so or the child is to be called as a witness.  In the event that you cannot avoid bringing children to the courthouse, you should bring an adult to watch them while you are inside the courtroom.

For a list of local rules of conduct for the courts in your county, visit the Kentucky Court of Justice website at http://courts.ky.gov/Pages/localrules.aspx.

If you have any topics you would like to have covered in this column, please contact my office by e-mail at countyattorney@campbellcountyky.gov, by phone at (859) 491-7700 or by regular mail addressed to 319 York Street, Newport, Kentucky 41071.