---
title: "Ann Ruttle | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ann-ruttle-chief-district-judge-kentucky-district-court-division-1-ky"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Ann Ruttle

Kentucky 16th Judicial District Court · Chief District Judge

## Profile

- Court: Kentucky 16th Judicial District Court
- State: Kentucky
- Role: Chief District Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-29

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote hearing platform

Scope: statewide

Kentucky Court of Justice publishes statewide instructions for using Zoom to participate in remote court proceedings.

Evidence excerpt: This page provides general instructions about how to use Zoom to participate in a remote court proceeding.

[Kentucky Court of Justice: Remote Court General Instructions](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/Pages/Remote-Court-Information.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### video voice content sharing

Scope: statewide

Kentucky identifies Zoom as a platform that supports video, voice, and content sharing for desktops, mobile devices, phones, and room systems.

Evidence excerpt: Zoom is a videoconferencing platform that offers video, voice and content sharing for desktops, mobile devices, phones and room systems.

[Kentucky Court of Justice: Remote Court General Instructions](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/Pages/Remote-Court-Information.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### county login information

Scope: statewide

Kentucky directs parties to obtain specific remote-court login information from the circuit court clerk for the county where they are scheduled to appear.

Evidence excerpt: To request specific login information for your court event, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in the county in which you are scheduled to appear.

[Kentucky Court of Justice: Remote Court General Instructions](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/Pages/Remote-Court-Information.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Kenton.aspx)
- [Official roster](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Kenton.aspx)
- [Kentucky Court of Justice official judicial roster](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Kenton.aspx)
- [Kentucky Court of Justice: Remote Court General Instructions](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/Pages/Remote-Court-Information.aspx)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Ruttle has held the role of Chief District Judge for the 16th District Court since 1994, when she was first elected to the position
- 2023 misconduct case: In May 2023, the Commission suspended her for two weeks without pay after she denied an indigent defendant’s request for appointed counsel without proper review of her financial status, in violation of Kentucky law.

### Education

- Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northern Kentucky University (1980) and a J.D. from Salmon P. Chase College of Law (1984).

### Additional information

- She was re‐elected in 2010 and 2014, and her four‐year term ended January 6, 2019.
- Before joining the judiciary, she practiced law for ten years, opening the first all‐female law firm in Boone County
- The case involved a traffic offense defendant, Lakeisha Dudley, who alleged the judge’s actions were discriminatory.