Circuit Court
Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction. It hears civil matters involving more than $5,000, capital offenses and felonies, land dispute title cases and contested probate cases. Circuit Court has the power to hear appeals from District Court and administrative agencies. There are three Circuit Court divisions.
16th Judicial Circuit
Division 1
Circuit Judge Kathy Lape
Chambers: Sixth Floor
Courtroom: 6B
Phone: 859-292-6538
Fax: 859-261-4151
Division 1 Documents:
Division 3
Circuit Judge Kate Molloy
Chambers: Seventh Floor
Courtroom: 7A
Phone: 859-292-6530
Fax: 859-292-6502
Division 3 Documents:
General Order - May 27, 2020
Division 4
Chief Circuit Judge Patricia M. Summe
Chambers: Sixth Floor
Courtroom: 6A
Phone: 859-292-6531
Fax: 859-292-6384
Division 4 Documents/Video:
Video: Judge Summe talks about courts reopening
Family Court
Family Court is a division of Circuit Court and handles cases involving families and children, such as divorce, child custody, paternity, adoption, termination of parental rights, civil domestic violence and child dependency, neglect and abuse. Family Court assigns each case to one judge, allowing the same judge to hear all matters involving a particular family. There are two Family Court divisions.
16th Judicial Circuit
Family Division 2
Family Court Judge Terri King Schoborg
Chambers: Fifth Floor
Courtroom: 5A
Phone: 859-292-6533
Fax: 859-292-6617
Family Division 5
Family Court Judge Acena J. Beck
Chambers: Fifth Floor
Courtroom: 5B
Phone: 859-292-6364
Fax: 859-261-3808
Family Division 6
Family Court Judge Tom Rauf
Chambers: First Floor
Courtroom: 1B
Phone: 859-291-9384
District Court
District Court is the court of limited jurisdiction. It handles juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses, probate of wills, arraignments, felony probable cause hearings, small claims involving $2,500 or less, civil cases involving $5,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments and cases relating to domestic violence and abuse. There are three District Court divisions.
16th Judicial District
Division 1
District Judge Ann Ruttle
Chambers: Fourth Floor
Courtroom: 4B
Phone: 859-292-6576
Fax: 859-292-6503
Division 2
District Judge Kenneth L. Easterling
Chambers: Fourth Floor
Courtroom: 7B
Phone: 859-292-6576
Fax: 859-292-6503
Division 3
Chief District Judge Douglas J. Grothaus
Chambers: Fourth Floor
Courtroom: 4A
Phone: 859-292-6576
Fax: 859-292-6503