Stefanie Barnes

Judge Kristina “Kitty” Karle is a dedicated public servant with over 27 years of legal experience and a lifelong commitment to justice, fairness, and community safety. Born in Honeoye, New York, Karle has deep roots in the Finger Lakes region and has spent her career advocating for victims, families, and the rule of law.

She currently serves as an Acting Justice of the New York State Supreme Court and was the first woman elected to the Ontario County Court bench. Since taking office in 2019, she has presided over nearly 7,000 cases, including complex criminal, family, and youth matters. Her courtroom is known for being a place of fairness, compassion, and integrity—values she has upheld throughout her career.

Before becoming a judge, Karle served as Bureau Chief of the Special Victims Unit in the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted cases involving child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Her earlier roles included Assistant District Attorney in both Monroe and Erie Counties, and she also ran a solo law practice focused on family and criminal law.

Karle holds a Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo and a bachelor’s degree from Seattle Pacific University. Her legal expertise, combined with her unwavering dedication to public service, has earned her endorsements from law enforcement leaders and community advocates across the 7th Judicial District, which includes Ontario, Wayne, Seneca, Livingston, Steuben, Cayuga, Monroe, and Yates counties.

As she campaigns for a seat on the New York State Supreme Court, Judge Karle pledges to continue serving with the same integrity, diligence, and compassion that have defined her career. Her mission is clear: to uphold the law, protect families, and ensure that every person who enters her courtroom is treated with respect and fairness.