Melissa Moore Murphy - Ballotpedia

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Pillars of Community

Melissa Moore Murphy is originally from Baltimore, Maryland. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science and history from the University of Kentucky and a law degree from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law. She lives with her husband, Daniel, and their three kids in Lexington, Kentucky, and serves as an ordained minister and attends Consolidated Baptist Church.

Melissa is a judge. She works at the Kentucky 22nd District Court 4th Division, where she has been since April 24, 2020. She previously worked as an assistant Fayette County Commonwealth’s attorney and as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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Melissa previously worked as an assistant prosecutor in the Fayette County Attorney's Office. She also worked as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, an assistant county attorney for the Lexington County Attorney's Office, and a lawyer for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.

Melissa Moore Murphy is currently a judge of the Kentucky 22nd District Court 4th Division. She was appointed to the court on April 15, 2020, and was first elected in 2022. She previously ran for judge of the Kentucky 22nd District Court 5th Division in 2018 and did not win.

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Melissa currently serves as the judge of Kentucky's 22nd District Court's 4th Division. She was appointed in 2020 and elected in 2022, and is in her first term. She previously ran for the judge of Kentucky's 22nd District Court's 5th Division in 2018, but did not win.

As of March 10, 2026, Melissa Moore Murphy did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Wanted to become a lawyer because of the decision-making power wielded by lawyers and judges, saying "It’s how you use it. To whom much is given, much is required.”

Hopes to make a difference by "being fair and treating everybody with an unbiased eye."

Believes electing judges and prosecutors who exercise fairness and are held accountable and diverse jury pools will help people of color trust the judicial system.

- Wanted to become a lawyer because of the decision-making power wielded by lawyers and judges, saying "It’s how you use it. To whom much is given, much is required.”
- Hopes to make a difference by "being fair and treating everybody with an unbiased eye."
- Believes electing judges and prosecutors who exercise fairness and are held accountable and diverse jury pools will help people of color trust the judicial system.

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement

Ethics & Conduct

As county attorney, Murphy prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the county, provided legal counsel and representation to the county and its elected officials, and filed and maintained actions to collect unpaid taxes and child support.

As an assistant prosecutor in the Fayette County Attorney's Office for two years, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the county, provided legal counsel and representation to the county and its elected officials, and filed and maintained actions to collect unpaid taxes and child support.

As a special assistant US attorney, Murphy prosecuted civil and criminal cases under federal law, conducted interviews with victims and witnesses, and presented evidence and testimony in US District Court.

As a special assistant US attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under federal law, conducted interviews with victims and witnesses, and presented evidence and testimony in US District Court.

- As an assistant prosecutor in the Fayette County Attorney's Office for two years, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the county, provided legal counsel and representation to the county and its elected officials, and filed and maintained actions to collect unpaid taxes and child support.
- As a special assistant US attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under federal law, conducted interviews with victims and witnesses, and presented evidence and testimony in US District Court.

Legal Experience

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Melissa Moore Murphy

As of March 10, 2026, Melissa Moore Murphy’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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As an assistant attorney, Moore Murphy prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the commonwealth, presented evidence and witnesses in court, and served as a point of contact for law enforcement agencies and other public officials.

As a criminal prosecutor, Murphy pursued civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the state, prosecuted individuals accused of committing crimes against the state, and served as a legal advisor to law enforcement agencies.

As an assistant attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the commonwealth, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

- District court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases, as well as, small claims (involving $2,500 or less), landlord eviction cases, and cases related to domestic violence and abuse. 
- In Kentucky, there are 116 district court judges serving in 60 judicial districts.
- District court judges are elected for four-year terms in nonpartisan elections. Vacancies can be filled by the governor's appointment, with staggered elections ensuring that only some judges are elected each year.
- District court judges earn ​$141,761 annually. 

Kentucky District Court Judge, District 22

Election results

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