Snipes Ruiz: 'I'm ready' to start as state judge

The youngest state district judge in Montana history and first female judge in the state’s 12th Judicial District said she is honored to be selected and excited to start her duties on the bench.

“I’m ready,” Kaydee Snipes Ruiz said before she was sworn in Tuesday in the district courtroom in the Hill County Courthouse. “I’m ready for the challenge and I’m ready to dive in with both feet.”

Snipes Ruiz takes the place of Judge Dan Boucher, who retired last November.

As the youngest district judge in Montana history, she said, she is confident in her ability to perform the job well.

“I’ve been th...