Douglas J. Grothaus at a glance
- Current role
- Chief District Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Kentucky · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Douglas J. Grothaus
Chief District Judge · Kentucky 16th Judicial District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Kentucky District Court Judge for the 16th Judicial District (Kenton County) and is currently running for re‐election in the May 19, 2026 primary
- Legal Career: Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Kentucky (1987–1999) District Judge, Commonwealth of Kentucky (1999–present)
- District Court Judge for the 16th District Court, which covers Kenton County, Kentucky
Education
Additional information
- In 2026, he is running unopposed in the primary and will proceed to the general election www.branch.vote
- In 2025, for example, he led the arraignment of over a dozen individuals arrested during an anti‐ICE protest at the Roebling Bridge in Covington
- He was first elected in 2010, re‐elected in 2014, and his prior term ended January 6, 2019.
- Grothaus has been active in the judicial community for nearly three decades, combining prosecutorial experience with judicial leadership.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Statewide
Kentucky Court of Justice publishes statewide instructions for using Zoom to participate in remote court proceedings.
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 ↗
Statewide
Kentucky identifies Zoom as a platform that supports video, voice, and content sharing for desktops, mobile devices, phones, and room systems.
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 ↗
County Login Information
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.
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 ↗
Sources
Identity source checked July 29, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 29, 2026.
Kentucky Court of Justice official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 29, 2026
View Kentucky Court of Justice official judicial roster ↗Kentucky Court of Justice: Remote Court General Instructions
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Kentucky Court of Justice: Remote Court General Instructions ↗