Donna Dutton has a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky and a law degree from the University of Louisville. 

Donna G. Dutton - Ballotpedia

Donna Dutton has a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky and a law degree from the University of Louisville Law School. 

Donna is a district court judge for the 53rd District Court in Kentucky. She has served on the bench since 2006. Before taking the bench, she served as general counsel for various state government agencies, including the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, and the Executive Branch Ethics Commission. She also worked as a law clerk for Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Charles H. Reynolds. 

Donna previously served as general counsel for various state government agencies, including the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, and the Executive Branch Ethics Commission. 

Donna is currently a district judge for the 53rd District Court. She was first elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2010 and 2014. She is currently serving her term.

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As of March 10, 2026, Donna Dutton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement

Judge suspended for misconduct - WAVE

Was suspended by the Judicial Commission for two weeks in 2020 due to attempting to "improperly pressure individuals" and attempting to obtain specific video evidence regarding an event where Donna accused an attorney of stealing from her husband.

- Was suspended by the Judicial Commission for two weeks in 2020 due to attempting to "improperly pressure individuals" and attempting to obtain specific video evidence regarding an event where Donna accused an attorney of stealing from her husband.

Ethics & Conduct

As a state district court judge, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, rules in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

- As a state district court judge, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, rules in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Legal Experience

Donna Dutton

Donna Dutton | BallotReady

Believes individuals are responsible for their actions and rejects the notion that society is guilty when a law is broken.

Donna Dutton has a bachelor 27s degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky and a law degree from the University of Louisville. 

Donna is currently a district judge for Kentucky's 53rd Judicial Circuit. She was first elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2010, 2014, and 2018. She is currently serving her term.

Kentucky Judge Avoids Sanction Under False-Statement Ethics Rule

As general counsel for various state government agencies, Dutton gained legal experience prior to her election to the bench in 2006.

- 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. 